15:45 Chester

Thursday 6 May 2021

All13:4514:1514:4515:1515:4516:1516:45

Destination 2 Handicap

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 16.33s

(1)

First Impression³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 89| D

6/1

Found further progress when successful on final start at Ayr (10f, soft) last year. Made up in to a fairly useful juvenile hurdler thereafter and he's one to be positive about returning to the level.

Form: 1/17921-

(6)

Al Madhar¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| D

8/1

Landed first 2 starts 11 month apart but progress stalled thereafter, last of 5 in a Goodwood handicap (9.9f) in August. Creditable fifth on Thirsk return (12f) but more needed if he's to score here.

Form: 1/1655-5

(11)

Kryptos²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Nicola Currie| T: John Berry| OR: 88| C

16/1

Confirmed he still last plenty to offer on the back of a long absence last year, resuming winning ways at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in November. Run with credit since but vulnerable to a few here.

Form: 23135-5

(4)

The First King^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: P & O Cole| OR: 87| D

25/1

Registered narrow victories on 2 of 3 starts last year, keeping on gamely at Sandown (10f) in July. Disappointed with blinkers discarded on Yarmouth return but better expected now they are refitted.

Form: 2/191-6

(10)

Sarvan¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: George Scott| OR: 86| D

13/2

Pontefract maiden winner who has performed with credit on each of his 3 starts since wind surgery this year, keeping on for fourth at Epsom (10f) 16 days ago. Entitled to go well again.

Form: 957-344

(13)

Snow Ocean¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: P D Evans| OR: 84| CD

7/1

Racked up a hat-trick on turf last August/September, culminating in a C&D success. Still in good form at the end of 2020 but his 4 efforts this year have been short of his best.

Form: 42-5548

(2)

Spirit Dancer¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83| D

5/1

Largely progressive last year. Second behind First Impression at Ayr (10f) prior to a good fifth at York (10.2f) on final start. Likely Newbury return run was needed and better expected now.

Form: 3/2125-0

(7)

Crimewave²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| OR: 82| D

14/1

Successful twice in 10f, AW handicaps last season and better than ever when going in again at Lingfield (10f) in January. Good third back at that venue last month and he's effective on turf.

Form: 32-3153

(14)

Just Hiss^p²⁰²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82

50/1

Cashed in on reduced mark at Ripon (1m) in August. Exploits proved somewhat mixed in defeat thereafter, ninth of 10 at Haydock (1m) on final start in October. Others preferred on return.

Form: 614889-

(3)

Baryshnikov³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Beasley| T: T D Barron| OR: 81| CD

5/1

On a roll with victories over C&D/Ayr last September. Shaped as if better for the run when midfield in big-field Doncaster handicap (10.2f) in March. Worth a second look from handy draw.

Form: 22115-9

(5)

Zambezi Magic^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P Mathers| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 79| D

80/1

Made up in to a fairly useful handicapper at up to 11.8f for Clive Cox last season. Saddle slipped early on Windsor return/yard debut 10 days ago and this should reveal more. Hooded.

Form: 13247-P

(12)

Lucky's Dream⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78| D

11/1

Been in fine form this winter, registering AW victories either side of a jumpers bumper success. Good placed efforts subsequently and not ruled out with Kingscote booked.

Form: 24-1122

(9)

Music Seeker^t³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 76| D

28/1

Runner-up on 3 occasions last season but losing run is mounting up and he needs to show the benefit of his Doncaster return effort in March if he's to play a lead role here.

Form: 92035-0

(8)

Proton²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 75

40/1

Heavy ground maiden winner for Jedd O'Keefe who tasted success over hurdles for this yard at Ludlow (15.7f) last winter. Well held on belated return at Leicester recently but easing ground a plus now.

Form: 13243/4

Forecasts

Baryshnikov (5/1), Spirit Dancer (5/1), First Impression (6/1), Sarvan (13/2), Snow Ocean (7/1), Al Madhar (8/1), Lucky's Dream (11/1), Crimewave (14/1), Kryptos (16/1), The First King (25/1), Music Seeker (28/1), Proton (40/1), Just Hiss (50/1), Zambezi Magic (80/1)

Typically competitive fare with several holding claims, including SPIRIT DANCER. Largely progressive as a 3-y-o, he shaped as though he'd come forward for last month's Newbury reappearance effort and there may well be a bit more to come this campaign. First Impression, who made up in to a fairly useful juvenile hurdler, Baryshnikov and The First King, refitted with blinkers, rate next best.