16:50 Chester

Saturday 20 August 2022

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

Archie Biggs Handicap

Off time: 17:01 | Winning time: 59.21s

(3)

Le Beau Garcon²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Shane Gray| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 82| BF| D

11/4

Progressive 2-y-o who won pair of 5f novices and caught the eye in a big way when second on return/handicap debut at Musselburgh. Unable to build on that twice since but this does represent a drop back in class. Well drawn, too.

Form: 211-275

(6)

Catch Cunningham^p²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 80| D

28/1

Good effort at Thirsk on reappearance but has been underwhelming since. This sharp track will suit but others more persuasive.

Form: 34-2000

(12)

Antiphon¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: M Murphy & M Keady| OR: 80| D

9/1

Better than ever for win number 3 at Brighton 17 days ago. 3 lb rise fine but stall 12 asks a question.

Form: 122421

(9)

Mytilda^t³⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: J F Egan| T: Craig Lidster| OR: 77| D

40/1

Fair performer for Philip Makin at 2, the highlight a nursery success in July 2021. Has a relatively exposed look about her after 7 starts and possibly best watched on this return for a new trainer minus hood.

Form: 249014-

(1)

The Dunkirk Lads²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 75

9/2

Solid efforts since a decisive handicap win at Nottingham in June and has landed stall 1. Deserves a place on the shortlist.

Form: 015335

(8)

So Smart¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Owen Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 74

7/1

Runner-up on 5 of his last 6 starts, latest of them at Salisbury just about a career best. Nudged up just 1 lb so likely to give it another good go.

Form: 222272

(2)

Frisky¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: S Pearce| OR: 71| BF| D

11/4

Career best when winning 4-runner minor event at Leicester last month and not far off that level switched to a handicap at Beverley. Waited with that day so stall 2 may not be a plus.

Form: 2-32313

(10)

Motashaweq²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: A Mullen| T: I Jardine| OR: 68| D

22/1

Well-bred sort who, on the back of being gelded, showed improved form to make winning return/yard debut in a Hamilton novice (5f) in June. Similar form when third on handicap debut back there last month and he did too much too soon at York latest.

Form: 79-130

(5)

Lucky Shake³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 66| D

33/1

Brighton maiden winner a year ago but yet to add to tally in handicaps for current yard this term.

Form: 602523

(7)

Riversway²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Barry McHugh| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 65| D

15/2

Wasn't unbacked prior to doubling career tally at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Suited by how race panned out on that occasion and those tactics not as easy to pull off here.

Form: 16-7051

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(13)

Ballet Steps²³

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: K A Ryan J: Jason Hart

(11)

Glamorous Express⁴⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: R Harris J: T E Whelan

(4)

Sheikh Maz Mahood²¹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: D Carroll J: Zak Wheatley

Forecasts

Frisky (11/4), Le Beau Garcon (11/4), The Dunkirk Lads (9/2), So Smart (7/1), Riversway (15/2), Sheikh Maz Mahood (8/1), Antiphon (9/1), Glamorous Express (12/1), Ballet Steps (16/1), Motashaweq (22/1), Catch Cunningham (28/1), Lucky Shake (33/1), Mytilda (40/1)

This represents a drop back in class for LE BEAU GARCON, and with stall 3 a handy position to attack from, he's selected to register a first handicap win. As you would expect, there's depth to this contest, with So Smart and The Dunkirk Lads feared most.