16:45 Chester

Thursday 8 May 2025

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

Oxford Natural Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 44.41s

(3)

Lady Vivian⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 80| D

10/11

Shaped well sole 2-y-o start and improved when chasing home a Godolphin hotpot on return at Southwell (11f) in February. Duly landed the odds when outpointing a subsequent winner upped to this trip at the same course the following month and she brings obvious potential to this handicap/turf debut.

Form: 5-21

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(2)

Way Of Stars³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 79| BF

11/4

Failed to build on highly promising Goodwood debut near-miss in 2 subsequent starts as a juvenile (gelded after final 2-y-o start) but back on track when third of 7 upped to 1½m on return/handicap bow at Southwell last month. Arguably unlucky not to win that day and he remains open to improvement.

Form: 243-3

(4)

Chesneys Charm²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Oliver Stammers| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 78

20/1

Dual 7f winner on AW for Michael Bell and landed a third success on debut for this yard (also over 7f) in October. Left uninspiring reappearance effort behind when runner-up in a 9f Musselburgh handicap but stamina for this trip has to be taken on trust.

Form: 1432-62

(1)

Kuredu King^p1⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 77

9/1

Fetched 300,000 gns as a yearling and, having failed to fire in a couple of runs over 7f/1m at 2 yrs (gelded after), he took a step forward when fourth in a 10-runner Doncaster maiden (10.2f, good) in March. This stiffer test looks a plus now handicapping in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 80-4

(5)

My Kinda Ghaiy^p1³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: H Palmer| OR: 75

14/1

Encouraging start to career when fourth in a 9-runner maiden at Southwell (1m) in February, doing best work at the finish. Has failed to build on that in 2 subsequent starts (gelded since latest) but it's not hard to envisage improvement now upped in trip for this handicap bow. Cheekpieces added.

Form: 454

(8)

Motawaared³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: G Boughey| OR: 75| BF

10/1

Stepped up on debut effort when second at Southwell in March and subsequent odds-on failure switched to turf at Musselburgh (1m, good) wasn't the end of the world. Step forward anticipated now that he's faced with a siffer test on this handicap bow and merits respect for last year's winning yard.

Form: 423

(7)

Patagonia Girl¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: H Palmer| OR: 73

28/1

Left debut effort well behind when second to subsequent listed winner American Gal in 1m Kempton novice during the autumn. Rather disappointing at Wolverhampton on final 2-y-o start but, like stablemate My Kinda Ghaiy, she is open to improvement now upped in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 027-

Non-Runners

(6)

Spirit Of Jura³⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: C Johnston J: R Kingscote

Forecasts

Lady Vivian (10/11), Way Of Stars (11/4), Kuredu King (9/1), Motawaared (10/1), Spirit Of Jura (10/1), My Kinda Ghaiy (14/1), Chesneys Charm (20/1), Patagonia Girl (28/1)

There's a good chance that WAY OF STARS would've made a winning reappearance on his handicap debut at Southwell, but for encountering traffic problems at a crucial stage. Consequently, he is potentially well treated off this 1 lb higher mark and gets the nod ahead of another promising type from a major yard in Lady Vivian. The Hugo Palmer-trained duo both need a second look, particularly My Kinda Ghaiy, while Kuredu King and Motawaared are also of interest in a competitive heat.