15:40 Chester

Thursday 5 May 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4016:1516:50

Boodles Raindance Handicap

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 2m 12.33s

(2)

Diderot^h³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Ferguson| OR: 90| BF

11/1

Acquired for 90,000 gns by present connections and improved to double career tally at Chelmsford (1m) in January. Solid placed efforts on AW on 3 of his 4 starts since and possible he can replicate the improvement showed back on turf now. Up in trip.

Form: 0-12253

(6)

Sarvan³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Darragh Keenan| T: George Scott| OR: 87| D

14/1

Ended 2021 out of sorts but this 5-y-o has been resurgent on AW in recent months, landing back-to-back Lingfield handicaps (10f). Effective on turf and clearly in good heart but revised mark gives him little wriggle room.

Form: 9676-11

(10)

Enigmatic²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: J Parr| OR: 87

33/1

Landed a gamble at Pontefract in September and he arrives having run right up to best when third on return at Newmarket (1m) 3 weeks ago, a shade fresh and headed last ½f. Worth another crack at this longer trip and booking of Doyle a plus.

Form: 51502-3

(1)

Desert Emperor^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: I Furtado| OR: 87| BF

14/1

Three-time winner on AW late last year (all around 12f) who has roved ultra-consistent in defeat subsequently, beaten only by a steadily-progressive sort at Wolverhampton latest. Should continue in form back on turf.

Form: 11-2322

(5)

Aasheq¹²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 86| CD

10/1

Fairly useful 10f winner at his best who highlighted he retains plenty of his old ability on back of an 18-month absence when fifth of 8 at Ripon (1m) 12 days ago. Step back up in trip a plus if this relative quick turnaround doesn't come too quick.

Form: 52320/5

(11)

The Kodi Kid¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| C

28/1

Dual winner for Andrew Balding (including here). Solid enough start for new yard in couple of course handicaps during the autumn and whilst he likely needed Newbury return effort 3 weeks ago, his present mark does demand more. Up in trip.

Form: 07143-0

(3)

Pride Of Priory²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| D

5/2

Low-mileage son of Pivotal who confirmed previous promise when landing a Ripon maiden (9.7f) in August. Readily followed up when accounting for sole rival on handicap bow at Haydock (10.5f) in September and he's of interest here with more to come.

Form: 3311-

(4)

Group One Power²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 84

8/1

Responded well to change of tactics when making all on return at Epsom (12f) last spring. Placed on 4 of his 6 starts thereafter last year but did end the campaign below best and he never figured on his reappearance at Chelmsford 3 weeks ago.

Form: 33305-6

(9)

Restorer^v¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 84| CD

28/1

Dual C&D winner who ran well when placed in a couple of AW handicaps at up to 2m this spring. However, losing run is mounting up and he never figured on back of a slow start at Ripon (12f) 12 days ago. Visor refitted.

Form: 5-75336

(13)

Enfranchise⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrew Breslin⁽³⁾| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| D

9/1

Pontefract maiden winner (1m) who has enjoyed a productive winter on AW, going in again at Chelmsford (10f) in February. Posted best effort yet when second at Brighton (10f) 9 days ago and she's worth a look from same mark.

Form: 211362

(8)

Fairmac^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| D

28/1

Tough front runner who hasn't been at his best in 2 starts upon returning to action this spring, albeit ridden too aggressively when fifth of 8 at Epsom (19f) latest. Still, he's not discounted for each-way purposes.

Form: 3424-35

(14)

Lunar Jet³⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: J Quinn| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 83| D

66/1

Well treated on his best form and made an encouraging reappearance when a never-nearer sixth of 12 at Doncaster (10.2f) during late March. However, bulk of his victories have come on ground softer than good.

Form: 47895-6

(7)

Pride Of America^t³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 83| D

3/1

Failed to progress for previous yard and missed last year but firmly back on track for new stable, scoring on back of wind op at Newcastle in March prior to a good second at Pontefract (10f, heavy) last month. Can go well again.

Form: 2948/12

Non-Runners

(12)

Society Red⁶³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 8

T: R A Fahey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Pride Of Priory (5/2), Pride Of America (3/1), Group One Power (8/1), Enfranchise (9/1), Aasheq (10/1), Diderot (11/1), Society Red (12/1), Desert Emperor (14/1), Sarvan (14/1), Restorer (28/1), The Kodi Kid (28/1), Fairmac (28/1), Enigmatic (33/1), Lunar Jet (66/1)

Easily one of the least exposed in the line-up, PRIDE OF PRIORY impressed when landing a maiden/handicap at around this trip last year, the way he moved clear from his sole rival at Haydock latterly decidedly likeable. He gets the nod to defy a 6 lb higher mark on return with the prospect of more to come. Enfranchise, who ran well at Brighton recently is a contender too. Diderot and Sarvan complete the shortlist.