16:50 Chester

Sunday 4 August 2019

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:20

Commonhall Street Social Handicap

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 1m 35.77s

(8)

Love Dreams^p1⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96

9/1

Looks to have gone off the boil since scoring at Beverley in June off a 1lb lower mark hence the appearance of cheekpieces for the first-time. Best at this trip he's not fared well in the draw; will need one or two to falter to have a chance.

Form: 310058

(1)

Sha La La La Lee^p1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92| CD

9/4

Well berthed for one who has scored twice from the front this year (once over C&D under today's rider). Not been so fortunate with the draw/start in two runs since (held up both times); cheekpieces now on, needs to front run to be successful.

Form: 128155

(6)

Club Wexford²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Ben Sanderson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 90| D

7/1

Usually likes to lead (faces pace pressure here) having won three of his last four races over 1m at Wetherby and latterly at Ayr. Career-best run last time but seen to maximum effect off the front (closed down late on); faces a tougher assignment.

Form: 451151

(4)

Akvavera³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 89| D

9/1

Dual handicap winner (1m) last year she's taken a little while to come to hand this year (highly-tried first two starts). Looked better returned to handicaps last time at Newmarket (1m); should come on for that, mark dropping to an acceptable level.

Form: 114-775

(10)

Max Zorin¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 87| CD

20/1

Returned to action this year after virtually two years off; yet to really find his form (shown flashes of his old promise). Failed to build on his best effort of the year last time, remains one to watch especially with an unfavoured wide draw.

Form: 43/0058

(7)

Penwortham⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| CD

14/1

Four-time course winner (once over this trip); latest win coming in the same race as he scored in the year before (overcame a wide draw off a pace collapse). In nothing like the same form at York in a stronger contest last time; revival needed.

Form: 956410

(2)

Dragons Tail^p¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 81| CD

9/2

Appears to be going through the motions this season having had wind surgery before this season's campaign. Twice a winner around here (once over C&D) his latest effort at Sandown merely underlined the modest form he's in currently.

Form: 9-97583

(9)

Humble Gratitude^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78

12/1

Took a step back in the right direction last time over C&D (race working out well; won by one in same colours); suited by how the race played out. Now back in cheekpieces (first-time visor last time); draw hasn't been that kind.

Form: 562685

(5)

Gabrial The Tiger¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| C

5/1

Five-time course winner; latest win here coming over the bare 7f (best effort of the season; won three times). Likes to go forward (will face a battle for the lead); disappointed last time at Musselburgh (goes well there); pace scenario a worry.

Form: 413318

(3)

Pacino⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 77

22/1

Beverley winner over this sort of trip earlier in the year; gone off the boil in his latest two starts (both over C&D). Takes on his elders for the first time having slipped back to his last winning mark; has something to prove in this company.

Form: 793456

Forecasts

Sha La La La Lee (9/4), Dragons Tail (9/2), Gabrial The Tiger (5/1), Club Wexford (7/1), Akvavera (9/1), Love Dreams (9/1), Humble Gratitude (12/1), Penwortham (14/1), Max Zorin (20/1), Pacino (22/1)

As is usual with Chester handicaps the Dr Marwan Koukash colours are well represented in a race that should be run at a strong pace with at least three of these likely to want to set the pace. Club Wexford has already beaten one of his likely rivals for a front-running roll Sha La La La Lee this year and may be good enough to do so again but he’ll face additional pace pressure from five-time course winner Gabrial The Tiger. That scenario could lead to a pace collapse a scenario that PENWORTHAM benefitted from around here in June; a similar result could be on the cards. The only filly in the field Akvavera is dropping in the handicap a complete return to form for her would not be a surprise.