14:45 Chester

Saturday 12 June 2021

All13:4014:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre Handicap

Off time: 14:48 | Winning time: 2m 39.03s

(5)

Psyche^p,t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 75

9/1

No show on debut for this yard last month, but much better when runner-up with cheekpieces enlisted at Brighton (11.9f, good to soft) and he's lurking on an attractive mark.

Form: 6402-02

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Elhafei¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: J Mackie| OR: 73| D

4/1

Snapped a losing run at Catterick and duly followed up at Haydock (11.6f, good to soft) recently. Up another 5 lb and faster ground to contend with here, but he merits respect all the same.

Form: 565011

(3)

Monsaraz^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: D Loughnane| OR: 72| D

13/2

Much improved for this yard on AW at the beginning of the year, winning 3 times. Not beaten far back on turf following a wind op at Goodwood (1½m, good) 8 days ago, but this looks more demanding.

Form: 9-14115

(2)

Arabist^p1¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| D

11/4

Winless since landin a Haydock maiden for John Gosden in 2019, but C&D reappearance fifth a fortnight ago was fairly encouraging and one to consider down 2 lb with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 83730-5

(4)

Red Derek¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Erika Parkinson⁽⁷⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 64

10/3

Off rhe mark at the fifteenth attempt at Haydock (10.2f, soft) last time, for which a 2 lb rise is fair, but a new personal best will be needed if he's to follow up here.

Form: 446-831

(7)

G For Gabrial¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 60| D

9/2

Already a 3-time winner this year, his latest success registered off 3 lb lower at Beverley (1½m, good to firm) in April. Good second to a bang in-form rival last time and a bold show is on the cards.

Form: 131442

Non-Runners

(6)

Abel Tasman¹⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 7

T: Ian Williams J: Rob Hornby

Forecasts

Arabist (11/4), Red Derek (10/3), Elhafei (4/1), G For Gabrial (9/2), Monsaraz (13/2), Psyche (9/1), Abel Tasman (10/1)

The vote in this tricky-looking contest goes to ARABIST, who didn't shape at all badly behind the upwardly mobile Soapy Stevens (winner again since) over this C&D a couple of weeks ago. He is entitled to come on for that (first run for 8 months) and the addition of cheekpieces may aid his cause. G For Gabrial is second choice ahead of hat-trick seeker Elhafei.