16:55 Chester

Saturday 26 July 2025

All13:3014:1014:4515:1515:4516:2016:5517:30

Layrd Design Handicap

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 1m 0.13s

(6)

Master Of My Fate¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Jack Dace⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 86| BF| D

17/2

Bagged a fourth win this year at Lingfield (5f) in June. Not at very best when sixth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) 15 days ago but he appeals as the type who will be suited by this track.

Form: 664136

(1)

Duran²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Faye McManoman| T: N Tinkler| OR: 85| D

11/4

Built on opening runners-up efforts in the spring when adding to his tally at Haydock (5f) in May. Struggled to land a blow in 2 subsequent runs but faced much sterner opposition then and he appeals as the type to bounce back with plum draw to operate from.

Form: 8-22100

(7)

Brave Nation^h²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Charles Bishop| T: M L W Bell| OR: 84| BF| D

15/2

Doncaster specialist with all 3 career wins coming on Town Moor and he looked to be coming to the boil prior to finishing fourth of 6 in handicap at Doncaster (5f, good to firm) 22 days ago, the fact he took a strong hold not helping. Eased 1 lb ahead of this.

Form: 38-4344

(5)

Kodiac Thriller⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J Garritty| T: M Walford| OR: 81| D

5/2

Opened his account for new yard at Thirsk (5f) in May and made the frame all 3 starts since, third of 5 in handicap at Pontefract (5f, good to soft) 8 days ago. Expected to be thereabouts again.

Form: 8-31433

(2)

Rosenpur^h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 76| CD

9/2

Has already enjoyed a most productive 2025, bagging a fourth win since the turn of the year over the extended 5f trip here 2 starts ago. 24-hour turnaround may have found him out when tenth of 11 in handicap at this C&D 14 days ago and he's very much the type to bounce back.

Form: 244310

(3)

Ecclesiastical⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁵⁾| T: L Williamson| OR: 73| CD

33/1

C&D winner. Latest win at Lingfield in March. First run since leaving Tristan Davidson when fifth of 6 in handicap at Chepstow (5.1f, good, 25/1) 66 days ago, unable to sustain effort. May need to drop a little more in the weights before becoming of interest.

Form: 9-62175

(8)

Balon D'or^t,v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Watson| T: H Palmer| OR: 73| CD

6/1

Sole success in handicaps came from 3 lb higher over C&D last summer. Has yet to scale same heights in 4 starts this season though, so switch of headgear needs to have positive effect now.

Form: 47-7847

(4)

Montpellier Green⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74

22/1

7f nursery winner for Joseph O'Brien who ran to a similar level in pair of starts for Jack Jones last summer. Seemingly still finding his feet for new stable and this first crack at the minimum trip not sure to suit.

Form: 1345-79

Non-Runners

(9)

Curious Rover¹⁵

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: K Scott J: Non Runner

(10)

Grandlad¹⁵

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: James Horton J: A J Farragher

Forecasts

Kodiac Thriller (5/2), Duran (11/4), Curious Rover (7/2), Rosenpur (9/2), Balon D'or (6/1), Brave Nation (15/2), Master Of My Fate (17/2), Grandlad (12/1), Montpellier Green (22/1), Ecclesiastical (33/1)

KODIAC THRILLER has found some improvement since dropped to the minimum trip, opening his account at Thirsk in May and making the frame on each of his 3 subsequent runs in stronger company. He looks a big player again and earns the vote ahead of Duran, who has the plum draw and sights lowered. Rosenpur is another player.