14:30 Chester

Saturday 2 October 2021

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:4817:20

tote+ Handicap

Off time: 14:31 | Winning time: 1m 3.59s

(6)

Major Jumbo²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: O McSweeney⁽⁵⁾| T: K A Ryan| OR: 93| C| D

7/2

Listed winner over 6f here in August 2019 but hasn't tasted success. Best effort of the season when runner-up back here 3 weeks ago and this looks easier.

Form: 636002

(3)

Gabrial The Devil¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Murtagh⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 89| CD

9/2

Four-time course winner, proving a neck too strong for Major Jumbo in 6f handicap 3 weeks ago. Rare below-par effort in the Ayr Silver Cup and likely to bounce back.

Form: 502219

(2)

Militia²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: P T Midgley| OR: 86| CD

4/1

Completed hat-trick last season (including over C&D) and second win of 2021 when making all at Catterick last month. Seen to good effect that day and up 5 lb, but well drawn to attack.

Form: 401451

(4)

Lihou⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: J F Egan| T: P D Evans| OR: 85| C| D

7/2

Winless since the turn of the year and just respectable efforts since his runner-up finish at Windsor in August.

Form: 320574

(1)

First Company⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁷⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 85| D

5/1

Capable of useful form but nowhere near his best when taking small-field Ayr novice (5f) in July and no impact since.

Form: 051000

(7)

Soul Seeker¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Mark Winn⁽⁷⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| D

33/1

Kept on the go this year, recording fourth win in 10-runner handicap at York in July. Standards have dipped since but he is now back on that last winning mark.

Form: 117086

(5)

Bossipop^b⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: A Mullen| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| CD

9/1

C&D winner who got back on track when second of 8 in handicap at Pontefract (6f, good) collared late on. Occupied same spot at Ripon 2 days later and likely to give it another good go

Form: 507822

Forecasts

Lihou (7/2), Major Jumbo (7/2), Militia (4/1), Gabrial The Devil (9/2), First Company (5/1), Bossipop (9/1), Soul Seeker (33/1)

MAJOR JUMBO signalled he's ready to strike again when collared only close home by Gabrial The Devil 3 weeks ago, particularly with the return to 5f in his favour. Militia is well drawn to attack and is feared most.