16:10 Chester

Wednesday 8 May 2024

All13:3014:0514:3515:0515:4016:1016:45

ESL Export Maiden Stakes (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 2m 13.04s

(3)

Castle In The Sand¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

10/3

Lightly-raced maiden who matched previous best on first crack at this trip when second of 7 in a Windsor novice (10f) 16 days ago. Expected to give another good account for all he lacks the potential of one or two here.

Form: 4022-22

(1)

Chortal

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden

9/2

Golden Horn colt. Half-brother to 7f winner Sense of Humour and 2-y-o 1m winner Kings Joy. Dam lightly raced half-sister to 2000 Guineas winner Footstepsinthesand. Makes plenty of appeal on paper for top stable and well worthy of note.

Form:

(4)

Eben Zaabeel²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills

9/1

Sea The Stars colt who built on his Newmarket debut effort at 2 yrs when fifth of 11 in a Yarmouth novice (10f) on return 25 days ago, effort over 2f out and not given a hard time. Promises to do better again.

Form: 0-5

(2)

Far L'Amore¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: B J Meehan

8/1

€55,000 yearling, Territories gelding. Backed at long odds and showed a good deal of ability when fourth of 10 in a Newbury maiden (11f) 18 days ago, lack of experience catching him out late on. Rates a likely improver with that under his belt.

Form: 4

(5)

Gallantly²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 85| BF

11/8

Frankel colt who built on his debut effort when second at Naas (1m) in October and filled same spot on return at Leopardstown (1m) 4 weeks ago. Promises to be suited by this step up to 1¼m and he's one to consider for his leading stable.

Form: 72-2

(7)

Liam Swagger⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: James Owen

12/1

Unlucky not to finish closer when last of 5 on debut at Southwell (1m) in March and despite still being green, built on that run (in first-time hood) when second of 9 in a Windsor maiden (10f) 9 days ago, edged out late on. Possible he can do better still and not discounted.

Form: 52

(6)

Prince Iago²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: H Palmer

100/1

Starspangledbanner colt. Dam, 1¼m-1½m winner. Offered little when last of 6 in minor event at Newmarket (10f, good to firm, 40/1) on debut 20 days ago, left behind over 2f out. Passed over here.

Form: 6

(8)

Sanks To Flicka²⁰⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Loughnane

125/1

Closely related to useful winner up to 7.4f Evocative Spark and he hinted at ability when fourth of 6 in an Ayr novice (1m, heavy) on debut in October. Gelded ahead of return and possibly one for later on.

Form: 4-

Forecasts

Gallantly (11/8), Castle In The Sand (10/3), Chortal (9/2), Far L'Amore (8/1), Eben Zaabeel (9/1), Liam Swagger (12/1), Prince Iago (100/1), Sanks To Flicka (125/1)

GALLANTLY looked ready for this step up in trip when chasing home a subsequent listed runner-up on his return at Leopardstown (1m) 4 weeks ago and Aidan O'Brien's colt could well be the answer here. Liam Swagger and Far L'amore head up the dangers, whilst Chortal is a newcomer to note for the Gosden team.