15:15 Chester

Friday 6 May 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

tote+ Chester Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:15 | Winning time: 4m 4.13s

(6)

Falcon Eight^v³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: L Dettori| T: D K Weld| OR: 109| BF| CD

9/2

Swept through under Dettori to land this last season from a 5 lb lower mark and has been in good form over hurdles this year. Bold bid likely.

Form: 4534/19-

(14)

The Grand Visir^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101

18/1

On a long losing run (last win came at Royal Ascot in 2019) but ran a blinder behind Falcon Eight off 2 lb higher in this last year and surely primed for a big effort after a pipe-opener at Wolverhampton 4 weeks ago. Don't dismiss.

Form: 32036-6

(1)

Rajinsky¹³^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Davies⁽⁷⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 95

6/1

Really likeable stayer who scored again in 2m Ripon handicap on return a fortnight ago. Leading 7 lb claimer booked and part of a strong hand for yard. Got to be feared under a penalty.

Form: 02816-1

(3)

Reshoun^p²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98

40/1

Won the Ascot Stakes second time up last season. Better for return and given a chance by the handicapper but not shone in 2 previous visits to Chester.

Form: 01078-4

(10)

Cleveland⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98

6/1

Won 9f Curragh maiden in the mud in November 2020 and having missed all of last year made an encouraging return at Naas. Stamina for this much longer trip uncertain, but bred to be better than a handicapper and got to be of interest for top connections.

Form: 551/5

(5)

Arcadian Sunrise¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: J Queally| OR: 97

6/1

Enjoyed a tremendous 2021, winning a big pot at the Galway Festival and York Ebor Meeting (under Spencer, beat Rajinsky). This mark should be exploitable and he's a likely type if ready to roll.

Form: 231/319-

(2)

Coltrane⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 95

9/2

Off for a while after his tremendous 3-y-o campaign, when winning the Melrose at York, but has been shaping up well on AW and a big run back over this distance on turf could be on the way.

Form: 19/26-42

(15)

It's Good To Laugh⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Candlish| OR: 94| C| D

14/1

Successful twice over shorter here last year before a good first campaign over hurdles (won 3 novices). Should stay back on the level and he's of interest.

Form: 25-9201

(13)

Torcello¹⁸⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-9| J: F Norton| T: S Lycett| OR: 92

80/1

Successful twice on the level last year but well held again over 2m when last seen and returns in a tough race with stamina to prove.

Form: 610510-

(11)

Morph Speed¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Sean Davis| T: R O'Brien| OR: 91

25/1

Progressed well for new yard last year, winning 4 handicaps. Might have needed his 2 runs back this term but stamina to prove up in class here.

Form: 1601-67

(4)

Land Of Winter^p,t¹⁸⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: Rae Guest| OR: 91

25/1

Ended 2021 on a high with emphatic win in 2m class 4 Nottingham handicap. Hit with an 8 lb rise and this is much tougher on return.

Form: 9/31901-

(16)

Solo Saxophone^v⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: A M Hales| OR: 90

125/1

Fairly useful performer under both codes, successful in thin 2m Newmarket handicap in the autumn. Well held over hurdles starting out for new trainer 9 weeks ago though and this is no easier.

Form: 04861-4

(7)

Solent Gateway^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| C

13/2

Took a 2m handicap here in good style last summer and caught the eye on first run for Hugo Palmer at Epsom recently, finishing well. Same mark now and his first go over this sort of trip, which he leaves the impression he'll relish. No surprise he's been a big mover in the betting. Excellent chance.

Form: 28210-3

(8)

Haliphon¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: R Ffrench| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88

18/1

Dual French winner who has made an encouraging start for this yard in 2022, not seen to best effect behind Rajinsky at Ripon (2m) a fortnight ago. This is a whole different test but he could be capable of a bigger effort still.

Form: 847-464

Non-Runners

(12)

Nate The Great²¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

(9)

Metier⁶²

Weight: 8-6| Age: 6

T: H Fry J: Non Runner

(17)

Byron Flyer²²²

Weight: 8-3| Age: 11

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Coltrane (9/2), Falcon Eight (9/2), Cleveland (6/1), Rajinsky (6/1), Arcadian Sunrise (6/1), Solent Gateway (13/2), Metier (10/1), Nate The Great (12/1), It's Good To Laugh (14/1), The Grand Visir (18/1), Haliphon (18/1), Land Of Winter (25/1), Morph Speed (25/1), Byron Flyer (33/1), Reshoun (40/1), Torcello (80/1), Solo Saxophone (125/1)

COLTRANE has been shaping up well on AW, seemingly retaining all the ability that saw him impressively win the 2020 Melrose at York. He could have an even bigger effort in the locker over this sort of trip and gets the vote. Solent Gateway was an eye-catcher at Epsom on his return and looks dangerous. The unexposed Cleveland has to be respected for Ballydoyle, with last year's 1-2 Falcon Eight and The Grand Visir both primed for big runs also.