15:08 Chester

Saturday 16 July 2022

All13:5914:3315:0815:4116:1716:5517:30

Beck's Handicap

Off time: 15:09 | Winning time: 1m 1.02s

(7)

Copper Knight^t²²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 103| CD

12/1

Tremendous servant to connections who goes well here, gaining third C&D victory in June. Weakened out of things having done plenty on the front end in Gosforth Park Cup since but his revised mark demands that little bit more in any case.

Form: 789410

(3)

King Of Stars^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 97| D

5/1

Yet to add to his four 2021 wins this term, but he arrives having run best race of the campaign when runner-up at Sandown (5f) 2 weeks ago, finding only a 3-y-o too strong. Good draw to work from here and not underestimated.

Form: 586402

(6)

Apollo One²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: M Harley| T: P & J Clutterbuck| OR: 97

11/2

Got back on track when third of 10 in handicap at Chelmsford (6f) in May and far from disgraced when eighth in the Wokingham (6f) at Royal Ascot, having cut out the running. Will face competition up front but this less demanding having first crack at minimum trip.

Form: 4-49838

(1)

Manaccan^t1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Queally| T: J Ryan| OR: 101

13/2

Useful colt who was clearly sharper for her reappearance spin when close-up fifth in big-field Royal Ascot handicap (5f) last month, giving best only late on. Remains pretty low-mileage and has plum draw to work from so worth a look.

Form: 3164-75

(4)

Count D'Orsay⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J F Egan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 95| D

13/2

Winless since 2020 but confirmed himself back in good heart when fifth in 20-runner Ascot handicap (5f) 7 days ago. Best efforts previously this term had come over C&D and he's a live each-way player again.

Form: 420365

(9)

Live In The Dream³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: A West| OR: 99| CD

9/2

Much-improved when landing handicaps at Sandown/over C&D during the spring. More than backed that up since, fifth in Epsom "Dash" prior to good second in listed event latest. May not be easy to boss matters from his draw in stall 9, though.

Form: 641152

(8)

Gabrial The Devil^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| CD

25/1

5-time course winner who may have still needed the run when 4¼ lengths third of 4 to Navello in a C&D handicap 3 weeks ago, weakening final 1f. Mark is steadily easing but majority of his victories have come on ground softer than good. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 1918-63

(10)

Look Out Louis^p⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 89| BF| CD

22/1

Excellent second behind progressive Twilight Calls at Newmarket prior to resuming winning ways over C&D in May. Seemingly not 100% when last of 12 at York later that month and bounce back likely for all he's drawn wider than ideal.

Form: 2-13210

(5)

Shamlaan¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽⁵⁾| T: K P De Foy| OR: 92| D

11/1

Gained third victory from first 4 starts for new yard at Goodwood (5f) in April and made frame on 2 of 3 starts since, third at Sandown (5f) 2 weeks ago, suited by good pace. Promising apprentice takes off valuable 5 lb and he's in with a shout.

Form: 8-11303

(2)

Navello⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Saffie Osborne⁽³⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 92| CD

13/2

Career-best effort when landing 4-runner C&D handicap 2 starts back and not well positioned (on far side wing) when sixth in 12-runner Newmarket handicap (5f) 8 days ago. Good pace to aim at will help here and mark doesn't look beyond him.

Form: 842816

(11)

Sampers Seven¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Ray Dawson| T: M Appleby| OR: 86| D

33/1

Dual 5f scorer during 2020 who missed last year but proved she retains all his ability when second at Haydock (5f) in May. Hasn't quite scaled same heights in 2 starts since and draw out wide makes things tough.

Form: 142/205

Non-Runners

(12)

Sophie's Star⁷

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: R Fell & S Murray J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Live In The Dream (9/2), King Of Stars (5/1), Apollo One (11/2), Manaccan (13/2), Count D'Orsay (13/2), Navello (13/2), Shamlaan (11/1), Copper Knight (12/1), Sophie's Star (16/1), Look Out Louis (22/1), Gabrial The Devil (25/1), Sampers Seven (33/1)

Typically-competitive fare with the vote in favour of 3-y-o NAVELLO. A winner over C&D on his penultimate start, he wasn't so well served by his position on the far wing when sixth in a 12-runner Newmarket handicap since and a better showing can be expected from his handy draw in 2. Shamlaan and Manaccan are others to consider along with Live In The Dream, whilst Count d'Orsay makes each-way appeal from the older brigade.