13:30 Chester

Friday 6 May 2022

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

ICM Stellar Sports Earl Grosvenor Handicap

Off time: 13:31 | Winning time: 1m 31.78s

(5)

Boosala⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 104

9/2

Smart performance when winning a 7f soft-ground Doncaster handicap in November and backed that up when narrowly denied at Newcastle 4 weeks later. Not ideally positioned the way the race developed in a listed race on return and should make more of an impact here.

Form: 13/012-3

(10)

Tomfre¹⁸¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 101| BF

14/1

Signed off 2020 season with a hat-trick and hit the crossbar on 3 occasions last season. Rare below-par effort below Boosala when last seen at Doncaster 6 months ago and needs to hit the ground running to get involved.

Form: 298520-

(4)

Fools Rush In^p,t¹⁹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 95| CD

15/2

Enjoyed a fruitful campaign last season, scoring 4 times. Latest came over C&D back in August and with conditions are no issue, a decent showing is anticipated on return to this venue.

Form: 611028-

(1)

Revich^v⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Davies⁽⁷⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 95| CD

13/2

Signed off for 2021 with success in 1m handicap at Ayr in September. Reappearance effort in the Lincoln at Doncaster should've blown away any cobwebs and this C&D winner should not be underestimated from stall 1 with Harry Davies booked.

Form: 24371-0

(6)

Fame And Acclaim³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 93| D

18/1

Long time without tasting success but did step up on his reappearance when finishing runner-up to Seasett last month. Will need another jolt of improvement for him to feature.

Form: 3070-02

(11)

Amber Island²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Laura Pearson⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 92

33/1

Going through a good spell at present, producing a career best to resume winning ways at Lingfield 3 weeks ago. Up 7 lb but likely to give another good account back on the turf.

Form: 3-53121

(8)

Boardman¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: T D Easterby| OR: 92| CD

4/1

Real success story for Tim Easterby last spring, completing a hat-trick over C&D last May. Stepped up on reappearance to open his account for the season at Haydock 13 days ago and given how he held his form this time last year, he's sure to go well again.

Form: 4050-41

(2)

Red Mirage²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

6/1

Maintained his unbeaten record when fresh on first outing since leaving Mark Johnston (38,000 gns) at Chelmsford 3 weeks ago, staying on to lead final 100 yds. Nudged up just 1 lb and has to remain of interest.

Form: 76407-1

(3)

Animal Instinct^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: F Norton| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| D

9/1

Off the mark on second start for this yard in at Kempton (1m) in December. Below par on both starts this year, although his latter run was in the very competitive Spring Cup at Newbury.

Form: 3612-70

(7)

Repertoire⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 80| D

13/2

Returned to the sort of form he showed in France in his younger days when bolting up in an apprentices event at Ascot 9 days ago. Unpenalised for that success and still looks well-in despite being 5 lb out of the weights. Major claims.

Form: 56500-1

Non-Runners

(9)

Seasett³⁰

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: C Fellowes J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

Boardman (4/1), Boosala (9/2), Red Mirage (6/1), Revich (13/2), Repertoire (13/2), Fools Rush In (15/2), Animal Instinct (9/1), Seasett (10/1), Tomfre (14/1), Fame And Acclaim (18/1), Amber Island (33/1)

A tough opener with a host in with a shout. However, the vote goes to REPERTOIRE, who returned to the sort of form he showed in France in his younger days when bolting up at Ascot 9 days ago and, unpenalised for that success, he still looks well-in despite being 5 lb out of the weights. 3-time course winner Revich has plenty in his favour so he's put forward as the main threat, ahead of Boardman and Fools Rush In.