16:35 Chester

Sunday 4 August 2024

All14:3015:0515:3516:0516:3517:05

Barbara & Geoff Everall Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:35 | Winning time: 1m 27.63s

(1)

Percy's Lad²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 98| C

16/5

Likeable type who justified support when making all here in May. Below form in well-contested events since, having no excuses at Newmarket on latest, but not dismissed returning to this track with the plum draw.

Form: 03-2100

(6)

Never So Brave⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 101| C| D

13/8

Runner-up to subsequent Group 1 winners Ancient Wisdom and Vandeek on both starts at 2 and easy winner of a Thirsk novice (7f, heavy) and course handicap (7.5f, good) this spring. Perfectly respectable effort in the Jersey at Royal Ascot last time and makes most appeal returned to handicaps.

Form: 22-116

(9)

Documenting⁸⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: K Frost| OR: 94| D

40/1

Latest win at Chelmsford City in April. 28/1, creditable 2¾ lengths third of 13 to Percy's Lad in handicap at this course (7.6f, good to firm) 86 days ago. Should give another good account after a break.

Form: 632-613

(7)

Telemark^t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 97| BF| D

15/2

11/4, twelfth of 14 in handicap at York (7.9f, good to soft) 22 days ago, bumped early. Had excuses last time and was impressive at Thirsk on penultimate outing, so strong chance he can get back on the up.

Form: 315-810

(2)

Spirit Genie^t,p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 90| CD

18/1

Has shown improved form this year, making it back-to-back wins when getting up late to score here in May. Not in quite the same form at Newmarket since but return to this track and a low draw are both in his favour.

Form: 9-60110

(12)

Yanifer²³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: H Bethell| OR: 89| CD

11/1

More than paid his way in 2022, winning 4 times. Limited to just 2 runs last year but has proved that his ability remains intact this season, runner-up in an 18-runner contest at York last time. Stall 12 makes things tricky.

Form: 80-3752

(5)

Way To Dubai^p³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Fellowes| OR: 89

22/1

Unlucky not to win with cheekpieces fitted when second over C&D on penultimate start and couldn't quite fire in the same way over 6f here since. Return to this trip should help and he's not without hope.

Form: 2-05826

(11)

Boardman¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87| C| D

20/1

Chester specialist who has dropped a fair way in the weights and has shown signs of a revival of late. Return here is a big plus but has stall 11 to contend with.

Form: 8-68566

(3)

Stone Soldier^p⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| C| D

16/1

Multiple winner earlier in his career and best effort for a while back from 5 months off when fourth in big-field 7f handicap at York 7 weeks ago. Not without hope from a handy draw.

Form: 0/266-04

(10)

Paws For Thought^p⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 84| CD

14/1

Rattled off a quick-fire hat-trick last summer and returned to form when scoring over 5f here 8 days ago, suited by the strong pace. Return to this trip is no issue but the draw might be.

Form: 887861

(8)

Topanga^p³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 86| D

12/1

Lightly raced filly who resumed progress in first-time cheekpieces when landing an 11-runner handicap at Haydock a month ago. Obvious claims if the headgear works again.

Form: 21-5061

Non-Runners

(4)

Street Kid²³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: K P De Foy J: Benoit D L Sayette

Forecasts

Never So Brave (13/8), Percy's Lad (16/5), Telemark (15/2), Yanifer (11/1), Topanga (12/1), Paws For Thought (14/1), Stone Soldier (16/1), Spirit Genie (18/1), Boardman (20/1), Way To Dubai (22/1), Street Kid (25/1), Documenting (40/1)

NEVER SO BRAVE didn't let himself down in the Jersey and he'd looked highly progressive beforehand, so he's fancied to gain a second course success at the possible expense of recent Haydock winner Topanga. Telemark is expected to bounce back from an excusable run, so he's another one worthy of respect.