13:35 Chester

Saturday 2 September 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Contact Company Handicap

Off time: 13:38 | Winning time: 1m 34.30s

(6)

Boardman²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 100| CD

20/1

Successful 3 times last season and right back to his best when landing a C&D handicap (7.6f) in May. Struggled in Group 3 company next time and has struggled to make an impact from revised mark twice since.

Form: 551570

(3)

Positive Impact^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 98| D

13/2

Pretty impressive winner of a 1m Kempton handicap on his final 3-y-o start. Failed to fire in 2 outings in Dubai at the beginning of 2023 and while he showed a bit more at Ascot 3 weeks ago, he was still beaten on merit. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 221-086

(10)

Revich^v²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: R Spencer| OR: 95| CD

12/1

Resumed winning ways over C&D in May and would have finished a shade closer with a clear run when fourth at Sandown in July. Disappointing in the Golden Mile a month ago but drops in grade/trip here.

Form: 319040

(11)

Percy's Lad²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: T Eaves| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 94| CD

14/1

Sound effort when seventh of 29 in handicap at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) faring best of those ridden prominently. Brushed aside at Galway latest but this is an easier assignment, albeit he's drawn wide.

Form: 94-3570

(8)

Austrian Theory⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 91| D

33/1

Given an excellent front-running ride when successful over 8.5f at Epsom in June. Sound efforts on the whole since and he's back on that mark.

Form: 317470

(1)

Lord Bertie²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95| D

10/11

€500,000 purchase who showed promise behind Chaldean in 7f Newbury novice on debut a year ago. Won both starts since a year apart on heavy ground, landing the odds at Thirsk a month ago. Opening mark may well underestimate him and he's landed the plum draw.

Form: 31-1

(5)

Liamarty Dreams²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 89| CD

28/1

Made all at Musselburgh in June but in the grip of the handicapper since and he reportedly returned lame at Thirsk last time.

Form: 416240

(7)

Hodler¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 88| C

22/1

Progressive form as a 3-y-o, winning 3 times over 7f. Back on the up with a 7f win on heavy ground here in May but unable to land a blow twice since.

Form: 2-77108

(9)

On A Session³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: T D Barron| OR: 87

20/1

Strong traveller who cashed in on a drop in grade at Musselburgh in April. Runner-up over this C&D the following month but form since has a rather patchy look to it.

Form: 628475

(4)

Master Zoffany²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| CD

10/1

Took really well to the AW when successful at Wolverhampton in December. Unable to continue the good work since, though he should strip fitter with last month's C&D return to action under his belt.

Form: 515-554

(12)

Fools Rush In^p,t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: David Egan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 84| CD

40/1

C&D winner for Hugo Palmer in July 2022. Winless since, and he's dropping in the weights without threatening to take advantage. Headgear back on.

Form: 006507

(2)

Spioradalta^p³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: George Rooke| T: M Walford| OR: 80| CD

10/1

Landed a gamble in re-fitted cheekpieces over C&D in July. Denied a clear run at Goodwood since so can be forgiven that.

Form: 619616

Forecasts

Lord Bertie (10/11), Positive Impact (13/2), Master Zoffany (10/1), Spioradalta (10/1), Revich (12/1), Percy's Lad (14/1), On A Session (20/1), Boardman (20/1), Hodler (22/1), Liamarty Dreams (28/1), Austrian Theory (33/1), Fools Rush In (40/1)

LORD BERTIE rather stands out on profile as a totally unexposed 3-y-o representing a top yard and, having landed stall 1, the hat-trick beckons. Master Zoffany seems sure to step up on his reappearance and he's a threat, along with Percy's Lad, despite his low draw.