15:20 Chester

Saturday 15 June 2024

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0417:35

Horseradish Catering & Events Roodee Handicap

Off time: 15:21 | Winning time: 1m 40.99s

(12)

Witness Stand³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Tom Clover| OR: 97| C

7/1

Course debut winner who showed useful form later at 2, culminating with a second in Newmarket Group 3 in November. Last of 5 in a 1m Kempton conditions race won by Notable Speech on reappearance but stepped up from that when runner-up over C&D (good) last month. Tricky draw to negotiate,

Form: 6322-52

(4)

Blue Prince²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: P D Evans| OR: 90

6/1

Enjoyed a productive spell on the AW for this yard over the winter and has come right back to form on his last 2 starts returned to 7f, just beaten by a less exposed pair at Goodwood (good to firm) 3 weeks ago. Should remain competitive from an unchanged mark.

Form: 230833

(8)

Sailthisshipalone²⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Ryan Sexton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88

20/1

Made it third time lucky in minor event at Thirsk (7f, good to soft) last August, proving game. Raced keenly next time, but quickly resumed progress when runner-up in a valuable minor event (form working out) at York (7f, heavy) in October. Gelded since and fancied to feature on return.

Form: 43162-

(10)

Princess Alex¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: K R Burke| OR: 87

33/1

Has taken her form up a notch this spring, scoring at Haydock in April before following up just over a week later at Beverley (7.4f, good). Ran as well as could've been expected when sixth in a listed race a fortnight ago but should make more of a splash back in a handicap.

Form: 38-4116

(11)

Love Billy Boy¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: F Norton| T: R Hannon| OR: 85

13/2

Has made a solid start to this season, again running creditably when fourth of 8 at Doncaster (7f, good) just over 2 weeks ago. Drawn wide and more is needed to add to his debut success last year.

Form: 38-8224

(1)

Teraabb^p³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| OR: 83| BF

11/2

Stepped up on his juvenile form when making a successful handicap debut/reappearance at Newbury (7f, good to soft) in April. Shaped better than the bare result upped to 1m for the first time at Ascot just over 5 weeks ago (left with plenty to do) so he's worth another chance from stall 1.

Form: 8423-16

(7)

Brunel Nation²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 83

6/1

Much improved when winning handicaps at Chelmsford (6f) and Newmarket (7f) in recent months (second past the post at latter but awarded the race after suffering interference). Unable to complete the hat-trick but continued in good form when fourth at Goodwood 3 weeks ago so he's shortlisted.

Form: 68-6114

(2)

Monfrid^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 82

9/2

Runner-up twice on AW last autumn and had more in hand a ½ length winning margin suggests in a 7f Catterick novice on reappearance. Showed improved form from a very tough opening mark when fifth of 13 at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago and well drawn here, he's capable of better still.

Form: 22-15

(9)

Purefoy⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

28/1

Showed more than previously when second on qualifying run at Lingfield (1m) in October. Gelded/after 5 months off, took another significant step forward when making a winning handicap debut at Lingfield (7f, AW) in April but shaped as if amiss at Newmarket a month later.

Form: 972-10

(13)

Expert Choice^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: A Mullen| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

18/1

Looks the type to do better as a 3-y-o and shaped a bit better than the result upped in trip after 9 months off when third of 8 in handicap at Musselburgh (9f, good) a fortnight ago, showing an awkward head carriage under pressure (wore first-time blinkers). Drawn wide so others look stronger.

Form: 2210-3

(6)

Pitney⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 80

16/1

Mehmas colt who confirmed promise of first 2 starts when running out a good winner of a Wolverhampton novice (7f) back in November. Ran poorly on return/handicap debut at Newmarket (7f, good) last month so will need to leave that well behind.

Form: 231-0

(5)

Secret World⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 79

25/1

Got off the mark second time up at Wolverhampton last October (strong form) and made a solid return to action when third at Carlisle last month. However, she ran poorly making handicap debut at Haydock (8.2f, good to firm) last week (held back by attitude) so it's easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 21-37

(3)

Misemerald²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Richard Oliver| T: P A Kirby| OR: 71

50/1

Landed maiden/novice events at Beverley/Ayr last summer but no better than mid-field in nurseries and handicaps since, 4¼ lengths sixth of 19 to Burdett at York (7f, good) 3 weeks ago. Looks a tough ask from 5 lb out of the weights.

Form: 1200-76

Non-Runners

(14)

Burdett²¹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: J Channon J: Ray Dawson

Forecasts

Monfrid (9/2), Teraabb (11/2), Blue Prince (6/1), Brunel Nation (6/1), Love Billy Boy (13/2), Witness Stand (7/1), Burdett (12/1), Pitney (16/1), Expert Choice (18/1), Sailthisshipalone (20/1), Secret World (25/1), Purefoy (28/1), Princess Alex (33/1), Misemerald (50/1)

An ultra-competitive feature in which the suggestion is TERAABB, who shaped better than the bare result when mid-field at Ascot just over 5 weeks ago and Charlie Fellowes' gelding is worth another chance having landed the plum stall. Monfrid continues to show signs of inexperience, but William Haggas' colt is improving so gets the nod for second, with Sailthisshipalone and Burdett another couple fancied to go well, too.