14:40 Chester

Saturday 31 August 2024

All14:1014:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

LiveScore Bet Handicap

Off time: 14:41 | Winning time: 1m 32.87s

(5)

Carrytheone^t,h²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: James Doyle| T: M L W Bell| OR: 104| D

11/2

String of creditable efforts in big handicaps prior to getting on top close home at Chepstow (7f, good to soft) earlier this month. Shaped well turned out again quickly under a penalty when third of 10 at Ascot (1m, good to firm) 2 days later and will surely go close, provided he gets the breaks.

Form: 134513

(11)

Spangled Mac^t,p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: P Cosgrave| T: G Boughey| OR: 97

20/1

Hit the target twice in 2023 and showed the benefit of his outings at Hamilton and Ascot last month when beaten just over a length into fourth back up to 7f in a Newbury handicap (good to firm) a fortnight ago. Not ideally drawn but place possibilities if the cards drop right.

Form: 101-674

(7)

Two Tempting²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 95| D

11/1

Cracking start to 2024, making it 4 wins from first 5 starts of the campaign when narrowly prevailing at Sandown in June. Was going well when denied a clear run at a crucial stage in a valuable Glorious Goodwood handicap (1m, firm) last time and he's one to consider off the same mark.

Form: 101187

(14)

Divine Libra³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cieren Fallon| T: C Hills| OR: 94| C

9/1

Had a solid 3-y-o season and took it up another notch when making it 2-4 here in May. Followed that with a good third to Carrytheone at Newmarket 10 days later and by no means disgraced at Ascot last time, but he hasn't been treated kindly by the draw.

Form: 913608

(10)

Gorak^p⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: C Fellowes| OR: 94| D

6/1

Dual 7f winner in the first half of last season and fine effort when splitting Carrytheone and Divine Libra following a three-way photo at Newmarket during the spring. Back to form when a close third to an unexposed Godolphin filly at Epsom (7f, good) on Monday and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 0-42003

(6)

Yanifer²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: H Bethell| OR: 93| C| D

6/1

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, notching second success in a 7f handicap here last time. This is tougher up 4 lb but he's well-drawn and shouldn't be too far away.

Form: 0-37521

(15)

Good Heavens⁶³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 91| D

50/1

On a good mark judged on 2022 exploits, which included a near-miss in a similarly valuable handicap off 7 lb higher at the Curragh. Lightly-raced and below par (in this sphere and over hurdles) since, though, and stall 15 adds to what already looks like an uphill task on debut for new yard.

Form: 2129/0-6

(9)

Revich^v²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: O J Orr| T: R Spencer| OR: 91| CD

20/1

Has dipped to an attractive mark (now 4 lb lower compared to when scoring at Ayr last September) and he's a 4-time winner round here. Dangerous to fully discount, for all that he has yet to really get going this season.

Form: 10-0000

(8)

Physique^h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: L P Keniry| T: M Fenton| OR: 89

12/1

Winner of a Newmarket novice at 2 yrs for the Coles and looked better than ever when belatedly opening his account for this yard in a 16-runner handicap at Galway (7f, soft) last time. 3 lb rise fair and while there will be greater competition for the lead this time, he should give it a good shot.

Form: 439221

(2)

Spirit Genie^t,p²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 89| C| D

12/1

Has shown improved form this year, making it back-to-back wins when getting up late to score over 7f here in May. Creditable sixth of 11 behind Yanifer back here last time and he's again well-drawn but others look better treated all the same.

Form: 601106

(3)

Under Siege¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 94| D

9/2

Chased home the smart Economics on debut at Newbury in April and opened his account when landing the odds in a Chelmsford maiden 16 days ago. Good deal more will be needed if he's to follow up on this handicap bow, but he's unexposed, in good hands and stall 3 is another positive factor.

Form: 2231

(4)

Boardman⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-10| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 88| CD

9/1

This multiple C&D winner has slipped to a dangerous mark and very nearly capitalised at Haydock on penultimate start. Not in the same form at Newcastle next time but he's evidently more of a force on turf and is not ruled out back here from a handy draw.

Form: 566520

(16)

Reidh⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Cam Hardie| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84

50/1

Produced a career-best when winning 16-runner handicap at Galway (7f, good to soft) late last month, despite conceding first run. Wasn't disgraced on the AW next time but he's on a tough-looking mark now and stall 16 is hardly helpful.

Form: 50-3115

Non-Runners

(13)

Warrior Brave³⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 6

T: R O'Sullivan J: Non Runner

(1)

Percy's Lad²⁷

Weight: 9-6| Age: 6

T: D & C Kubler J: Non Runner

(17)

Yantarni¹⁶

Weight: 8-12| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: Ryan Kavanagh

(12)

Empirestateofmind²⁸

Weight: 8-12| Age: 6

T: J & S Quinn J: Jason Hart

Forecasts

Under Siege (9/2), Carrytheone (11/2), Gorak (6/1), Yanifer (6/1), Percy's Lad (6/1), Divine Libra (9/1), Boardman (9/1), Warrior Brave (10/1), Two Tempting (11/1), Spirit Genie (12/1), Physique (12/1), Spangled Mac (20/1), Revich (20/1), Yantarni (20/1), Empirestateofmind (20/1), Reidh (50/1), Good Heavens (50/1)

If James Doyle is able to circumnavigate the inevitable congestion aboard CARRYTHEONE, the Michael Bell-trained 7-y-o may well prove the answer to this valuable handicap. He has done little wrong this season and did very well under the circumstances when third at Ascot three weeks ago. Unexposed 3-y-o Under Siege could be on a good mark for this handicap debut and is next on the list, though Physique, Boardman and Two Tempting are also feared.