16:15 Chester

Saturday 20 August 2022

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Joan Calvert Brown Handicap

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 1m 4.32s

(7)

Ancient Times³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 91| D

5/1

Has improved further this term, landing back-to-back 5f handicaps at Doncaster/Musselburgh prior to a good second at Newmarket (5f) in July. Below best in big-field York handicap on Wednesday but this rates less demanding.

Form: 25-1120

(5)

Khunan²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

14/1

Ran best race since finish runner-up in Richmond Stakes at 2yrs when ninth in 19-runner Newmarket handicap (6f) on penultimate run but proved disappointing at Chelmsford (6f) next time. Still, mark has eased a little more if he can leave that effort in his wake.

Form: 08-5097

(3)

Roman Dragon²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 88| CD

7/2

Dual course winner as a juvenile who made a solid start for Hugo Palmer prior to adding to his tally over 6f here last month, leading under 2f out and keeping on. Not in same form over 7f at Goodwood 3 weeks ago but return to this venue rates an obvious plus from handy draw.

Form: 6-24316

(4)

Sampers Seven³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: M Appleby| OR: 85| D

5/1

Dual 5f scorer during 2020 who missed last year but proved she retains all her ability this term, using up plenty of petrol from worst of draw when third over 5f here 5 weeks ago. Better served in that department here and she's worth a second look.

Form: 42/2053

(8)

Scot's Grace¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 87| D

12/1

All-weather novice winner for Kevin Philippart de Foy who ran best race for present yard when third over 6f here last month. Not in same form at Kempton 18 days ago and bounce back called for here.

Form: 056930

(10)

Gabrial The Devil²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Murtagh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 83| CD

20/1

Course specialist (5-time winner here) who failed to see things out tackling extended 7f here 3 weeks ago. This more suitable and now operating 6 lb below last winning mark but another with a tricky draw to overcome.

Form: 8-63809

(6)

Glory Fighter⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 81| CD

14/1

Successful from a 2 lb lower mark at Musselburgh for Iain Jardine last summer. Quickly found his form for new yard, again filling runners-up spot when headed late on by Navello over C&D in June. Should give another good account.

Form: 3-05222

(2)

Lihou¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Owen Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 80| CD

7/1

Capitalised on drop in grade when making all at Salisbury (5f) in June. Exploits mixed subsequently, yet a repeat of his penultimate fourth in a class 2 Goodwood handicap gives him claims here from a handy draw.

Form: 441747

(1)

King Of Tonga^b⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Harrison Shaw| T: D Carroll| OR: 77| CD

4/1

Thrived for switch to sprinting for new yard, gaining third success (in first-time blinkers) over C&D in June. Well below his best when last of 12 at York (5f) thereafter but another who could bounce back returned from a short break from plum draw in 1.

Form: 122210

Non-Runners

(11)

Hyperfocus¹⁹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 8

T: T D Easterby J: Sean Kirrane

(9)

Lullaby Bay⁶³

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: T Eaves

Forecasts

Roman Dragon (7/2), King Of Tonga (4/1), Ancient Times (5/1), Sampers Seven (5/1), Lullaby Bay (6/1), Lihou (7/1), Hyperfocus (8/1), Scot's Grace (12/1), Khunan (14/1), Glory Fighter (14/1), Gabrial The Devil (20/1)

Plenty arrive with a shout and it may pay to take a chance on C&D winner KING OF TONGA bouncing back. Revitalised by the switch to sprinting for his new yard this campaign, he can't have been himself at York when last seen 43 days ago and better can be expected from the plum draw in stall 1. Roman Dragon, returned to this venue, Sampers Seven and Lullaby Bay are others to consider.