16:30 Chester

Saturday 26 June 2021

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Mental Health UK Handicap

Off time: 16:31 | Winning time: 2m 44.36s

(2)

Heart Of Soul^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Cameron Noble⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| CD

7/1

Dual C&D winner who returned to form when third here (10.3f, good to firm) a fortnight ago, finishing a neck adrift of the re-opposing Gabrial The One. Remains on a workable mark and merits respect.

Form: 128-783

(3)

Carlos Felix¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: A Elliott| T: P A Kirby| OR: 80| D

14/1

Fairly useful handicapper who ran well when runner-up on yard debut over C&D in May. Not in the same form on his next 2 starts, but couldn't entirely rule out off this reduced mark.

Form: 752-276

(4)

Elhafei¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: J Mackie| OR: 78| CD

11/4

Has sprouted wings for this yard of late, scoring at Catterick and Haydock prior to completing the hat-trick over this C&D 2 weeks ago. Up another 5 lb, but clearly at the top of his game.

Form: 650111

(1)

Bay Of Naples¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: D C Costello| T: M Herrington| OR: 76| D

40/1

Registered fifth success on the AW when narrowly prevaling in a 6-runner Southwell handicap (11f) on latest start in February. However, now 4 lb higher in a tougher race back on turf.

Form: 31-4151

(6)

Gabrial The One¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 76| CD

7/1

C&D winner in 2019 and hit the target at Newcastle last summer. Positive start to this season when runner-up over 10.3f here recently, leaving the impression that the return to this trip would help.

Form: 94447-2

(5)

King's Castle¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: D Allan| T: J Tuite| OR: 70

6/1

Beverley novice winner for William Haggas last June and has gradually got back on track for new yard, finding just one too good at Salisbury (1½m, good) 18 days ago. Couldn't rule out.

Form: 349-652

(7)

Saligo Bay⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Saffie Osborne⁽⁵⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 76

9/4

Fair maiden who posted good third on handicap bow at Salisbury (1¼m, soft) last month. Step up in trip and better ground here are potentially positive factors and merits respect for his in-form yard.

Form: 35-53

(8)

Hot Team^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 59

12/1

Ended a long losing run at Hamilton in May, but he was well adrift of Gabrial The One and Heart of Soul here last time. 2 lb 'wrong' at the weights.

Form: 454148

Forecasts

Saligo Bay (9/4), Elhafei (11/4), King's Castle (6/1), Heart Of Soul (7/1), Gabrial The One (7/1), Hot Team (12/1), Carlos Felix (14/1), Bay Of Naples (40/1)

ELHAFEI was well on top at the finish when completing the hat-trick over this C&D a fortnight ago, and a further 5 lb rise may not be enough to prevent him from extending his winning sequence. There wasn't much between Gabrial The One and Heart of Soul here last time and they both merit respect, but the selection may have most to fear from the comparatively unexposed Saligo Bay.