15:25 Chester

Saturday 24 September 2022

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:40

Deepbridge Watergate Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 4m 11.16s

(2)

Reshoun^p¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 104

25/1

Smart staying handicapper who deservedly scored in 2m Newbury handicap in July. Creditable efforts at Group 2 level on his last 2 outings but he hasn't run up to his best in 3 previous visits here.

Form: 521534

(10)

Alfred Boucher³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 104

5/2

Another fine example of this yard's skill with stayers, winning a 2m handicap at York's Ebor meeting (by 3 lengths from Frankenstella) before going agonisngly close in the Ebor itself only 3 days later. Another 4 lb higher now but he could easily have more to come for this stable.

Form: 3-82212

(4)

Dark Jedi¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Garritty| T: T D Easterby| OR: 97

12/1

Scored at Ayr (13f) in June and has remained in good form subsequently, albeit while leaving the impression that the handicapper has him about right. Unproven beyond 1¾m.

Form: 172456

(13)

Morando^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| C

33/1

Not scored since 2019 and latest last of 4 at Goodwood hardly suggests he's likely to snap that losing run back in a much more competitive race now.

Form: 343-664

(5)

Sir Chauvelin⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 9-0| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 92

40/1

Had a productive August, winning at Musselburgh before going close in the valuable Lanark Silver Bell. Does need to shrug aside a couple of below-par runs this month, though. This hold-up performer will need things to fall right even if he is on a going day.

Form: 371270

(7)

Fair Star^p⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 89

28/1

Gained reward for his consistency when winning 5-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (1¾m) in July. Creditable in-frame efforts in competitive heats since. Each-way claims if stamina holds over this longer trip.

Form: 371423

(14)

Frankenstella^b³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 89

13/2

Has recorded a pair of good placed efforts over 2m at York this term, latterly chasing home Alfred Boucher. Enjoys a 6 lb swing in the weights with that rival now. Should go well.

Form: 4412-32

(8)

Cormier¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: A J Farragher⁽⁵⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 86| C

15/2

Course winner over 1¼m in July. Has disappointingly failed to build on that twice since and it remains to be seen whether a marked step up in trip helps him to get his Flat career back on track.

Form: 163-198

(3)

Call My Bluff^p⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: J F Egan| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 86| C

4/1

Dual 2m winner last term has run creditably on 3 of his 4 outings this season, including in the Chester Plate on his C&D reappearance. Bounced back from a poor run at Galway when third in Cesarewitch Trial at Newmarket last weekend. On the shortlist.

Form: 12-3403

(6)

Land Of Winter^p,t²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen| T: Rae Guest| OR: 86

40/1

Ended 2021 on a high with emphatic win in 2m Nottingham handicap but has found life tougher off higher marks this season. Others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 901-856

(15)

Anna Bunina^t³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Rowan Scott| T: J C McConnell| OR: 85

10/1

Very useful hurdler, winning 3 times since April. Successful return to the Flat in 1¾m Killarney handicap last month. Stamina possibly not assured but she could still be on a workable mark.

Form: 121/54-1

(11)

Star Caliber^h²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

10/1

Drawn a blank since a debut win in autumn 2020 but he is quite useful and arrives on the back of a creditable third of 6 at Goodwood (2m) last month. Others are preferred for win purposes again, though.

Form: 342-043

(16)

Emiyn³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Zak Wheatley⁽⁵⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 85| C

16/1

Course winner. Creditable second of 8 in 2m handicap here 35 days ago, going down only to an unexposed 3-y-o. Quite closely matched with Call My Bluff on Chester Plate form earlier in the year.

Form: 1-64242

(9)

Alpine Stroll^b⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: E De Giles| OR: 78

25/1

Blinkers have given him something extra lately, winning twice from the front at Nottingham (1¾m/2m) this summer. Effectively 7 lb higher (including 2 lb out of the handicap) now jumping from a Class 4 to a Class 2 so he will require a career best to go in again.

Form: 543121

(12)

Haizoom³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Paula Muir⁽³⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 78

50/1

Fairly useful filly who arrives on the back of good second in 2¼m handicap at Musselburgh 18 days ago, albeit flattered by proximity to an easy winner. 2 lb out of the handicap here so others are more obvious.

Form: 344592

Non-Runners

(1)

Smart Champion⁸

Weight: 8-5| Age: 7

T: D M Simcock J: Hayley Turner

Forecasts

Alfred Boucher (5/2), Call My Bluff (4/1), Frankenstella (13/2), Cormier (15/2), Smart Champion (8/1), Star Caliber (10/1), Anna Bunina (10/1), Dark Jedi (12/1), Emiyn (16/1), Reshoun (25/1), Alpine Stroll (25/1), Fair Star (28/1), Morando (33/1), Land Of Winter (40/1), Sir Chauvelin (40/1), Haizoom (50/1)

CALL MY BLUFF already has a good effort to his name over C&D this year and could be the answer to this competitive handicap on the back of a decent run at Newmarket last weekend. Last month's York Ebor meeting 1-2 Alfred Boucher and Frankenstella should go well again. The consistent Fair Star completes the shortlist.