13:30 Chester

Friday 9 May 2025

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

CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap

Off time: 13:30 | Winning time: 1m 31.47s

(2)

Tarkhan¹⁸⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 107| D

33/1

Useful performer who completed a hat-trick in Munich listed event (6.5f) in October. Solid third in Group 2 at Milan on final start for Roland Dzubasz so can't be dismissed on his UK/stable debut. NON RUNNER.

Form: 331113-

(7)

Gorak^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| OR: 96| D

13/2

Winless in 2024 but produced some fine efforts in defeat and returned with a very good second of 10 in handicap at Haydock (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago. Ought to be in the shake-up once more.

Form: 00330-2

(1)

Two Tempting²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 96| CD

9/4

Enjoyed a fine 2024, winning 5 times at around 1m, and comes here on the back of a good fourth of 14 in handicap at Newbury (8f, good) 27 days ago. Expected to be bang there eased 1 lb.

Form: 710-504

(11)

Divine Libra¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: C Hills| OR: 94| C

4/1

Course winner last May who reappeaared with a solid sixth of 10 in handicap at Haydock (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago. Can make his presence felt.

Form: 60820-6

(10)

Cracking Gold^p,t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| D

20/1

Keen-going sort resumed winning ways at Southwell (1m) in March but not seen to best effect (got no cover) when 11th in 1m Newcastle handicap three weeks ago. Worth another chance.

Form: 04-2310

(5)

Yanifer²²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: H Bethell| OR: 93| C| D

14/1

Likeable sort scored here last August and largely in good form later in 2024. Has gone well fresh so needs considering on his seasonal return.

Form: 752158-

(14)

Transcending Glory^p²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 92

18/1

Useful Irish gelding was a dual 6f/7f winner in 2024 but he ended the season rather out of sorts. Still much respected after a break though with his yard among the winners.

Form: 126195-

(8)

Persuasion²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: Connor Beasley| T: T D Barron| OR: 91

22/1

Resumed winning ways in 9-runner handicap at Musselburgh (7f, good) 20 days ago. Up 4 lb but can't be ruled out.

Form: 3100-71

(3)

Kindest Nation^v²⁰¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| C

33/1

On the up last autumn when visored, scoring over 7f here, and not disgraced given her poor draw when sixth in listed race at Longchamp (7f) final start. Considered.

Form: 531146-

(4)

Pearl Eye^b²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Mason Paetel⁽⁷⁾| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 88| D

15/2

Spring Mile winner at Doncaster (second past post but subsequently promoted) in March but only ninth in 1m Newbury handicap following month. Creditable fifth of 13 here 2 days ago, and needs a bit more.

Form: 65-4195

(9)

Spirit Genie^p,t²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 88| C| D

14/1

Course winner who got back on track when fifth of 8 in handicap at Musselburgh (7.1f, good) 26 days ago. Only respectable effort here 2 days ago.

Form: 817-057

(6)

Cheshire Dancer²³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 81| BF| D

14/1

Scored at Newcastle last June and in good form after until just sixth of 7 in handicap at Ayr (10f) in September. Has gone well when fresh though so possibilities.

Form: 614726-

(13)

Yermanthere²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-2| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 80

100/1

Capitalised on a reduced mark at Carlisle (7f) last August and wasn't disgraced on his return from 6 months off when sixth in 1m Ripon handicap 22 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 81600-6

(12)

Partisan Hero^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| D

12/1

Is enjoying an excellent season, scoring at Kempton and Pontefract, before a good second of 7 back at Pontefract (8f, good) 9 days ago. This game sort can go well again despite being 3 lb "wrong" in the weights.

Form: 2-33112

Non-Runners

(15)

Never So Brave²¹⁷

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Two Tempting (9/4), Divine Libra (4/1), Never So Brave (9/2), Gorak (13/2), Pearl Eye (15/2), Partisan Hero (12/1), Yanifer (14/1), Cheshire Dancer (14/1), Spirit Genie (14/1), Transcending Glory (18/1), Cracking Gold (20/1), Persuasion (22/1), Kindest Nation (33/1), Tarkhan (33/1), Yermanthere (100/1)

The handily-weighted TWO TEMPTING heads the list of dangers, although the likes of Gorak, Divine Libra, Cracking Gold and Yanifer all warrant plenty of respect too.