17:30 Chester

Saturday 26 July 2025

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

Cruzcampo Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 2m 9.70s

(2)

Ey Up Its The Boss^p⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁵⁾| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 88| D

13/2

Successful 3 times during 2024 and proved himself better than ever when resuming winning ways in 9-runner handicap at Ripon (9.7f) 7 days ago. Seen to very good effect from the front then however, and this likely to prove tougher.

Form: 401031

(9)

Due To Henry^p1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 85| BF| D

16/1

Steadily progressive at 3 yrs, resuming winning ways at Newbury (10f) in September. However, struggled in stronger company on final outing and he's finished nearer last than first in 2 starts upon returning this campaign. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 2510-08

(3)

Let's Dream¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Joe Bradnam⁽⁷⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 84| CD

15/8

Benefited from the step back up in trip after 6 months off when landing a C&D handicap at the May Meeting. Dispelled pair of lesser efforts back under positive tactics when runner-up back over C&D 2 weeks ago and this ease in class can see him in an even better light.

Form: 03-1782

(8)

Asteverdi²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Jason Watson| T: H Palmer| OR: 83

11/2

Won a heavy ground handicap at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) on final start in October and resumed following 8 months off for new yard with a good third in handicap at Ayr (1m) 3 weeks ago. Appeals as the type who will be winning more races this term and she's completely unexposed at this trip.

Form: 03731-3

(4)

Narmar^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 77

8/1

Down in the weights and finally cashed in for first handicap success at Ffos Las (1m) in June. Again noticeably strong at the finish when good third of 8 in handicap at Windsor (1m) 12 days ago, so return to this longer trip well worth exploring.

Form: 680313

(7)

Meblesh¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 84| D

11/2

Sea The Stars colt who doubled his career tally in a small field at Lingfield in June and ran at least as well back in a stronger race when third of 9 in handicap at Ascot (10f, firm) 15 days ago, caught further back than ideal. Has good chance on form.

Form: 416713

(1)

Giselles Defence^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: D C Costello| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74| D

15/2

Held form well since the cheekpieces went back on and gained reward for his consistency when winning 4-runner handicap at Epsom (10.1f, good to firm) 9 days ago, all out. This tougher up 3 lb but respected in present form.

Form: 733221

(6)

Flickering Halo^p³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Sean Kirrane| T: T D Easterby| OR: 74| D

18/1

Back on the scoresheet at Newcastle (10.2f) in May but not scaled same heights in 2 subsequent runs, sixth of 8 in handicap at Beverley (9.9f, good to firm) 32 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 60-6146

(5)

Finn Russell³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 71| D

33/1

Proved more tractable than is often the case and returned to his best when winning 6-runner handicap at Windsor (10f) in May. Found to have bled when well-beaten over hurdles at Stratford (16.3f) and bounce back called for returned to the level.

Form: 1-28451

Forecasts

Let's Dream (15/8), Meblesh (11/2), Asteverdi (11/2), Ey Up Its The Boss (13/2), Giselles Defence (15/2), Narmar (8/1), Due To Henry (16/1), Flickering Halo (18/1), Finn Russell (33/1)

Having doubled his tally at Lingfield in June, MEBLESH matched that level when third in a stronger race at Ascot 2 weeks ago, shaping well from further back than ideal. He remains one to be interested in and earns the vote operating from the same mark. Narmar and Asteverdi are others to consider, with Let's Dream another to consider eased in class.