13:35 Chester

Friday 15 September 2023

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

Autumn Festival Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 13:37 | Winning time: 1m 31.03s

(9)

Exigency³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: L P Keniry| T: S Kirk| OR: 68| D

13/2

Long time since tasting success (for previous yard in France) but has signalled her turn may be close recently, runner-up at Bath and Leicester last month. Nudged up 1 lb but merits plenty of respect in her current mood.

Form: 794522

(1)

Agnes Grey¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 70

5/1

Ran best race to date when fifth on handicap debut at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) on penultimate start but unable to replicate that back in novice company at Catterick (7f, good) since. Dropped 6 lb and well berthed in stall 1, a better showing could well be in the offing.

Form: 4-32353

(4)

Liberty Mountain¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: David Probert| T: J Parr| OR: 69| BF| D

7/2

Has hit the crossbar on her last couple of starts, ridden with a bit more patience than is usually the case when going down by a head at Wolverhampton (7.2f) a fortnight ago. She remains of serious interest in this similar contest.

Form: 525722

(3)

Carlton And Co¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Lewis Chalkley⁽⁷⁾| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 64| D

6/1

Belatedly off the mark at Newcastle in August and has shaped as if still in good form on both starts since, her usual patient tactics putting her at a disadvantage at Carlisle (6.9f, good) just over 2 weeks ago. In with mix with a claimer taking off a valuable 7 lb.

Form: 506175

(13)

Thewaytothestars^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: G Harris| OR: 63| D

9/1

Won at Ffos Las (7f) and Windsor (1m) last month. Possibly couldn't cope with a quick turnaround when only fifth at Ffos Las next time but quickly back on song when third at Chepstow (7.1f, good) 18 days ago. Widest draw tempers enthusiasm, however.

Form: 531153

(10)

Hoof It Hoof It^t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 63

12/1

Has dropped markedly in the weights and with a first-time tongue tie on, confirmed her return to something like the pick of her 2-y-o form when runner-up at Haydock (7f, good to firm) 7 days ago. In the shake-up provide the equipment works just as well.

Form: 978942

(8)

Lockdown Lass¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Josephine Gordon| T: G Hanmer| OR: 57| BF| CD

7/2

C&D winner in mid-July before following up at Doncaster 8 days later. Has been in the placings on all 3 starts since (runner-up the last twice) so she's one to consider.

Form: 011322

(11)

Glory And Gold¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Connor Murtagh| T: P Morris| OR: 55| D

200/1

Fair winner at 7f for William Haggas at 3 yrs but yet to beat a rival in 4 of starts for present yard this season. Heaps to prove at present.

Form: 13-7690

(2)

Second Collection^h¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Mollie Phillips⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 54

66/1

Has made no impact in a trio of starts at Wolverhampton this year, latest after 7 months off. This a rare go beyond sprint trips and she can only really be watched.

Form: 530-687

(6)

Miss Willows³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Sean Kirrane| T: S Whitaker| OR: 52

9/1

Beaten a fair way on most of her 6 career starts so far and looks vulnerable from a win point of view back in handicap company.

Form: 6/45945

(7)

Independent Beauty²³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Joanna Mason| T: L Williamson| OR: 45

33/1

Long-standing maiden who ran creditably from 1 lb out of the weights after 4 months off when third at Carlisle (6.9f, good to firm) 23 days ago. Needs to build on that effort from even further out of the weights here.

Form: 083583

(12)

Pink Walls¹⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Cam Hardie| T: L Williamson| OR: 46

200/1

Looks limited on early evidence, tailed off over a markedly longer trip at Wolverhampton (12.2f) when last seen 5 months ago. Stall 12 to contend with here so can only be watched.

Form: 7-7556

Non-Runners

(5)

Bonkersinabundance¹⁴

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lockdown Lass (7/2), Liberty Mountain (7/2), Agnes Grey (5/1), Carlton And Co (6/1), Exigency (13/2), Thewaytothestars (9/1), Miss Willows (9/1), Hoof It Hoof It (12/1), Bonkersinabundance (16/1), Independent Beauty (33/1), Second Collection (66/1), Glory And Gold (200/1), Pink Walls (200/1)

A competitive opener to Autumn Festival Friday and one that makes plenty of appeal is LIBERTY MOUNTAIN, who has hit the crossbar on her last couple of outings and, nicely berthed in stall 4, Joseph Parr's 3-y-o is fancied to deservedly open her account for the season. Lockdown Lass has also finished runner-up on her last 2 starts and she may have to settle for silver once again, with Exigency and Carlton And Co another pair who can get involved.