17:35 Chester

Saturday 22 August 2026

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Celebrate National Racehorse Week Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 17:35 | Winning time: 3m 32.10s

(4)

Howth^t³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: T Lacey| OR: 81| D

8/1

Fairly useful in this sphere for Mick Appleby and quick to reach a similar level for present yard over hurdles, registering a third success at Newton Abbot (17f) 12 months ago. Lightly raced since, posting a very good fifth in Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen 5 weeks ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 405843/

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(5)

St Mawes²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Billy Loughnane| T: George Scott| OR: 80| D

9/4

Low-mileage 4-y-o who landed back-to-back 2m handicaps last autumn and resumed with good placed efforts at Goodwood this spring. Changed yards prior to shaping much better than distance beaten suggests when sixth at Goodwood 920.6f) 3 weeks ago and he's one to be interested in back at 2m.

Form: 11-32V6

(3)

Kuredu King^b²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: D C Costello| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 78

28/1

Finished well held in a couple of hurdle runs upon joining present yard but recent exploits back on the Flat haven't been devoid of encouragement, not seen to best effect when sixth over 12.3f here 3 weeks ago. Return to this longer trip looks a good move from an easing mark.

Form: 151-436

(9)

Westerton²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Candlish| OR: 77

20/1

Hurdles winner but yet to taste success on Flat (0-18) and he faded out of things when fifth of 7 in handicap at this course (12.3f) 3 weeks ago. Not sure to be suited by this even longer trip given how he's shaped previously.

Form: 35059-5

(1)

Midnight Rumble²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Luke Catton⁽³⁾| T: J Coulson| OR: 77

40/1

In reasonable heart since joining current yard from Alan King, convincing more than he had previously at this trip when third over C&D in June. Possibly amiss given how tamely he checked out at York (2m) since but losing run now stretches back over 2 years.

Form: 524530

(8)

Venezuelan^v²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jack Nicholls⁽³⁾| T: G Hanmer| OR: 76

22/1

Wide-margin winner of a 4-runner Lingfield maiden (11.5f) for Ralph Beckett last summer. Not seen to best effect on first 3 starts around here this season but he needs to shrug off a lesser effort when eighth of 13 in handicap at York (2m) 4 weeks ago.

Form: 22-8448

(2)

Dino Bellagio⁴⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 72| C| D

13/2

Twice a winner in 2025, latterly over 1¾m (heavy) here in September. Well beaten first 2 starts initially this campaign but showed more quickly returned to positive tactics when fourth at Southwell (1¾m) 7 weeks ago. Lines up here only 1 lb above last winning mark now returned to 2m.

Form: 318-354

(7)

Cranachan^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 79

9/2

Ready winner of a 5-runner maiden at Catterick (1½m) in April and bettered his handicap debut effort equipped with first-time blinkers when second of 4 at Newmarket (1½m) 5 weeks ago. Didn't convince with his attitude then, though, (never travelled well) and he now tries a longer trip.

Form: 6-2142

(6)

Sea And Sun²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Johnston| OR: 78

9/4

Progressive in novice/maidens at around (1½m) but proved easy to back and couldn't build on those exploits switched to a handicap when fifth over that trip at Goodwood 24 days ago. Still, it remains early days and he appeals as the type to get back on the up now tackling 2m for the first time.

Form: 2245

Forecasts

Sea And Sun (9/4), St Mawes (9/4), Cranachan (9/2), Dino Bellagio (13/2), Howth (8/1), Westerton (20/1), Venezuelan (22/1), Kuredu King (28/1), Midnight Rumble (40/1)

SEA AND SUN couldn't build on the promise he displayed in novice/maidens at the first attempt in handicaps at Goodwood 24 days ago but he still appeals as a staying handicapper to keep on the right side of this season so he shades preference in receipt of weight all round. St Mawes shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests over a marathon trip last time and he's a big threat under Billy Loughnane. Midnight Rumble completes the shortlist.