14:05 Chester

Friday 12 May 2023

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

Precision Facades Handicap

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 2m 13.72s

(6)

Certain Lad²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: J Channon| OR: 107| D

14/1

Group 3 winner in 2020. Missed following year but showed he retains all his old ability when third in Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock in August. Below that level in a listed event at Longchamp on his reappearance, though.

Form: 6/2803-7

(1)

Savvy Victory⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: S Woods| OR: 104| D

3/1

Suited by a return to waiting tactics when resuming winning ways in a small-field Goodwood handicap (9.9f) in August. Excellent fifth in the Cambridgeshire next time and shaped encouragingly after 5 months off in 10f listed race at Kempton on return. Could well have more to offer this season.

Form: 62153-5

(4)

Pride Of America^t⁵⁰

4/1

C&D winner who enhanced fine strike rate for this yard with a career-best display when scoring after 7 months off at Kempton (11f) in January. Not quite in same form both starts since but set too strong of a pace in listed race at Saint-Cloud last time. Player back in a handicap. Had breathing op.

Form: 118-146

(8)

Maksud²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: H Morrison| OR: 101| D

5/1

Created good impression when winning on debut at Windsor and has posted useful efforts in defeat since, including when second (Groundbreaker third) in listed race at the same course (11.4f) in August. Didn't fire in a first-time hood at Newmarket on final outing but could bounce back on return.

Form: 145220-

(5)

Groundbreaker^h,t²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 99| D

11/2

Useful performer who put his best effort to date when third in a Windsor listed event in August. Backed that up returned to handicap company when fourth at Newbury on final outing and is capable fresh (won on return last season). Hood back on.

Form: 144234-

(9)

Lord Protector¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 96| D

22/1

Back to winning ways in 1¼m Sandown handicap last June. Unlucky not to finish closer when fifth of 18 at Glorious Goodwood next time, but was well held at the Ebor meeting on final 2022 start and disappointed again on reappearance (had breathing op) at Epsom. Something to prove at present.

Form: 4/6150-7

(2)

Fantastic Fox¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 95

9/1

Back on track when runner-up on heavy ground over this trip at Newbury last October and had an excuse (trapped wide) when below form on AW final start. Ran respectably when fourth at Epsom (10.1f) on return but his best form has come over shorter.

Form: 53020-4

(7)

Baryshnikov¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 91| CD

5/1

Went off the boil towards the end of last year but stepped up plenty on his reappearance when third in 12-runner handicap at Pontefract (10f) 18 days ago. Won this race last year off this mark and needs taking seriously with handy 3 lb claimer taking over in the saddle.

Form: 1300-93

(10)

Zealandia^p1¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 84

50/1

French recruit who returned from 7 months off to spring a 33/1 surprise on his York stable debut last June. Easy to back and well held at Pontefract after 11 months off only start since, though. 2 lb out of the handicap.

Form: 2430/1-0

Non-Runners

(3)

Cap Francais³²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 7

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Savvy Victory (3/1), Pride Of America (4/1), Baryshnikov (5/1), Maksud (5/1), Groundbreaker (11/2), Fantastic Fox (9/1), Cap Francais (12/1), Certain Lad (14/1), Lord Protector (22/1), Zealandia (50/1)

GROUNDBREAKER proved himself better than ever on his final 2 starts last year and appeals as the type who could be even better at 4 yrs, so he looks to have plenty going for him on his return, especially with Oisin Murphy booked. Savvy Victory is another who may raise his game further this season, with low-mileage 6-y-o Pride of America also respected back in handicap company.