16:30 Chester

Friday 10 September 2021

All13:5014:2014:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

White Oak Handicap

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 2m 43.83s

(2)

It's Good To Laugh⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: D Nolan| T: J Candlish| OR: 90

5/1

Has just a maiden win to his name but again went close in a class 2 handicap at this track (11.3f, soft) in July, losing out dying strides. Not so good at Goodwood since so must bounce back.

Form: 725-920

(1)

Buriram⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: R M Beckett| OR: 86| C

3/1

Successful twice in the second half of 2020 and nothing wrong with a trio of place efforts in recent months. Failed to stay upped markedly in trip at Goodwood 6 weeks ago. Can get back on track here.

Form: 12-2330

(5)

State Of Bliss⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92| C| D

11/8

Kept on well to take Shergar Cup handicap over at Ascot last month, but not so good on his last couple of outings. Needs to bounce back but may find a couple too good in here.

Form: 222105

(3)

Heart Of Soul^p⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: D Allan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 83| CD

9/1

Three of his 4 career wins have come here, and he was bang on his game when narrowly touched off over 10.3f here in July. Reportedly bled when tailed-off last over C&D last time so can bounce back.

Form: 783127

(6)

Gabrial The One²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 73| CD

13/2

Consistent performer whose last run is easily excused here 20 days ago, failing to get home back up in trip (found little). Usually goes well round here, so can't be discounted at this distance.

Form: 223754

(7)

Arabist^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: Ian Williams| OR: 66| D

14/1

Front runner who hasn't really been threatening despite a sliding mark lately. Reportedly lame sporting first-time blinkers here (15.9f, good to soft) 20 days ago. More needed back in cheekpieces.

Form: 430436

Non-Runners

(4)

Papa Power⁴²⁵

Weight: 9-13| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

State Of Bliss (11/8), Papa Power (13/8), Buriram (3/1), It's Good To Laugh (5/1), Gabrial The One (13/2), Heart Of Soul (9/1), Arabist (14/1)

Cases can be made for most but GABRIAL THE ONE gets the nod to add to his C&D victory back in 2019. Richard Fahey's charge didn't get home here over 15.9f last month and he's taken to strike from this reduced mark. It's Good To Laugh went very close here on penultimate start so he's feared most if anywhere near that level.