14:40 Chester

Saturday 14 September 2019

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

SportPesa Handicap

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 3m 4.85s

(4)

Mancini²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: J G Portman| OR: 93| D

4/1

Won at York over 2m0.5f this season off 2lb lower and racing to a very good and consistent standard. The majority of his best form though has been at further and a first run at this tight track over a shorter distance is a slight concern.

Form: 427170

(7)

Fun Mac^t⁴⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 88| D

7/1

Put up a respectable effort in a very testing Chester Cup and ran to a similar level when fourth in the Ascot Stakes. Back in trip now following a lesser effort at Goodwood and possibilities but last win came back in 2017.

Form: 400-540

(9)

Jabbaar¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Jamie Gormley| T: I Jardine| OR: 87| C

15/2

Infrequent winner but regularly placed and that costs him with the handicapper as he remains 6lb higher than last win. Remains remarkably consistent though and more than capable of being involved once again

Form: 226273

(8)

Diocletian³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 85| BF

9/2

Wouldn't want drying conditions and he has gone close with juice in the ground on his last three starts since finishing tailed off in the Chester Plate here. Capable if he can fare better at this track although he's back up in class again.

Form: 469223

(6)

My Reward⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 84| C

9/1

Remains very well-handicapped on old form but has put together largely abject performances this year bar a second at Ripon in July. Hard to fancy based on his four runs since.

Form: 027000

(5)

Manjaam^p⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: R Havlin| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83

12/1

Has raced to a consistent level in six starts for new yard but that's still a level well below that of when he won at York for Ed Dunlop last year. Needs to raise his game at this level.

Form: 060686

(1)

Celestial Force^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 82| BF

15/8

Has found progress in his last three placed starts including a third over two miles here last time. This is tougher still but he's open to progress and his racing style suits this track. Likely to be involved.

Form: 513223

Non-Runners

(3)

Twin Star²⁹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Noel Williams J: Non Runner

(2)

Paddys Motorbike⁴⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 7

T: N & W Twiston-Davies J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Celestial Force (15/8), Mancini (4/1), Diocletian (9/2), Fun Mac (7/1), Jabbaar (15/2), My Reward (9/1), Manjaam (12/1), Paddys Motorbike (12/1), Twin Star (16/1)

CELESTIAL FORCE should attack from the front and he has plenty of stamina in his reserves to make him a tough nut to crack. He looks to be on the up again and conditions should be ideal. Jabbaar is so reliable it's very hard to see him not going close once again while Paddys Motorbike has been well tried over further since his win following an over two year absence and should fare better back in distance for his in-form yard.