Tom Jones Live At Chester Racecourse Handicap Hurdle

4YO plus | Class 4 | 2m 145y | 6 Runners | Turf

Age: 6| Weight: 11-10| J: Sean Quinlan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 110| BF| D

Easily off the mark when landing a Newcastle maiden (16.9f) in December and produced his best effort yet when second in 9-runner handicap hurdle at Ayr (2m) 24 days ago. Nudged up 2 lb on the back of that and bold showing looks on the cards again.

Form: 32-3612

Super Freddie⁴⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-9| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 109

Well-made gelding who showed fair form when placed on each of his 2 starts in novice/maiden company but still looked a work-in-progress when seventh of 9 on handicap debut at Haydock (18.9f) 7 weeks ago (hung right most bends). Can do better moving forward, not least when chasing.

Form: 9-237

Jasmin De Cotte²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 108

Fairly useful winner of 2½m maiden chase in May 2024 for Paul Nolan (sole success from 14 starts under Rules in Ireland) and likely needed the run on stable debut following 12 weeks off/breathing operation when well held at Haydock 3 weeks ago. Passed over down in trip.

Form: 335F7-0

Idaho Valley⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105

Point winner who has proved consistent rather than progressive over hurdles to date, albeit not at best when third of 8 in novice hurdle (4/1) at Carlisle (19.3f, soft) 54 days ago. Switch to handicaps in his favour now if he can take a step forward. Yard also saddle Rock Hurley.

Form: 3264-23

Rock Hurley^t⁷⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 11-5| J: William Maggs⁽⁵⁾| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 105| C| D

Took advantage of a much-reduced mark when opening account for current connections here (19.5f) last spring. Disappointed at Cartmel the following month though, and he'll need to step up plenty on his reappearance run at Sedgefield in November if he's to play a lead role. Blinkers discarded.

Form: 4241-80

El Curamach^t⁶³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: S Bowen| T: R Potter| OR: 102

Low-mileage 8-y-o who was progressive in 3 starts during 2023/24, off the mark from the front without looking the finished article in 9-runner Warwick maiden (2m) on final outing in May 2024. Absent since but booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye on handicap bow and he's very much one to note.

Form: 54/1-

Forecasts

He's Bresilian (13/8), Super Freddie (3/1), El Curamach (4/1), Idaho Valley (5/1), Jasmin De Cotte (12/1), Rock Hurley (20/1)

Having got off the mark in maiden company at Newcastle on his penultimate start, HE'S BRESILIAN produced his best effort yet when beaten only by one at Ayr who had eased in the weights. He looks to hold sound claims of getting back to winning ways. El Curamach was progressive when last seen and rates an intriguing runner on the back of a lengthy absence, whilst Super Freddie has better days ahead of him as he gains more experience.