16:20 Chester

Saturday 30 September 2023

All13:3014:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:5317:28

Restaurant 1539 Handicap

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 1m 35.85s

(3)

Love De Vega²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 86| D

5/1

Bagged another couple of small field contests last month, seen to good effect dictating matters for the latest at Musselburgh (7f). Found run of good form coming to a halt up in grade at Ascot latest but this promises to prove less demanding and handy draw to operate from.

Form: 0-67118

(2)

Hodler⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Hayley Turner| T: J R Boyle| OR: 85| BF| CD

7/2

Stepped up markedly on first 2 starts this term when successful over C&D in May. Exploits have been rather mixed in a light campaign since, though he did travel with purpose for a long way when seventh in handicap at Newbury (7f) latest. Just 1 lb above last winning mark now.

Form: 710867

(5)

Evocative Spark¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Liam Wright⁽⁷⁾| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 85| CD

5/2

Tumbled in the weights this campaign but confirmed positive signs from penultimate start here when running out a ready winner of a C&D handicap (soft) 2 weeks ago. Remains with handicapping scope on old form and very much one to be interested in.

Form: 490541

(4)

Broken Spear^p⁵⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: T Eaves| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 83| CD

12/1

C&D winner who ended losing run returned to sprinting at Leicester (6f) in May. Not in same form confined to just 2 starts since, never involved when sixth of 9 in handicap at Thirsk (7f, heavy) in August.

Form: 024186

(1)

Red Mirage^b1¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 81| C| D

15/2

Gone well at this track previously so shade disappointing she couldn't make a better fist of things back on soft ground/from reduced mark when 8½ lengths fifth of 11 to Evocative Spark in a C&D handicap 2 weeks ago. Good draw to work from if first-time blinkers have positive effect.

Form: 405485

(9)

Legal Reform^h⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 79| D

14/1

Rattled off a quick-fire hat-trick on AW/turf during the spring (all at 7f) and emerged with credit (best of those ridden prominently) when fifth over extended 7f here in July. Remains 4 lb above last winning mark starting out for new yard but still respected.

Form: 331115

(10)

Ramiro¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: B Ellison| OR: 70| D

5/1

Confirmed more positive signs for this yard when getting on top late on at Ayr (6f) in July and ran to a similar level when third at Yarmouth (7f) later that month. Creditable efforts on 2 of his 3 starts since but he can ill afford a slow start here.

Form: 213859

(8)

King Of Tonga^t¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: P Mathers| T: D Carroll| OR: 69| C| D

22/1

Successful twice on the Roodee during a productive 2022 campaign. However, hasn't scaled same heights as a rule this term and recent efforts have been underwhelming. Bit to prove at present stepping back up in trip.

Form: 522900

Non-Runners

(7)

Justcallmepete¹⁶

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: H J Evans J: D C Costello

(6)

G'daay¹⁷

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: J Parr J: Daniel Muscutt

Forecasts

Evocative Spark (5/2), Hodler (7/2), Justcallmepete (7/2), Ramiro (5/1), Love De Vega (5/1), G'daay (7/1), Red Mirage (15/2), Broken Spear (12/1), Legal Reform (14/1), King Of Tonga (22/1)

EVOCATIVE SPARK confirmed the promise of his previous run here when running out an emphatic winner over C&D 2 weeks ago and, remaining with handicapping scope on the pick of last season's form, all looks set fair for another big run. Hodler travelled well for a long way at Newbury and back at the scene of his last success is a threat. Legal Reform and Justcallmepete are others in the mix.