16:30 Chester

Saturday 12 September 2026

All13:3014:0514:4015:2015:5016:3017:1017:42

Lee Martin 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 16:30 | Winning time: 1m 33.75s

(9)

Best Rate⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: S C Cronin⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

8/1

Won back-to-back handicaps in July before solid third of 5 from career-high mark at Sandown later that month. Unable to land a blow on his next 2 starts but bounced back to form when fourth of 8 in classified event at Ascot (7f) 8 days ago. Respected but draw could've been kinder.

Form: 113584

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Hot Cash^p1¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Cieren Fallon| T: J Channon| OR: 80| D

4/1

Winner on soft ground at Carlisle last summer and returned to his best with runner-up efforts at Thirsk and Epsom in May/June (both on good to soft). Below form last 3 starts, though best to excuse his latest effort (lost both front shoes). First-time cheekpieces on and drawn to attack.

Form: 022800

(4)

Vixey²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Aiden Brookes| T: S G West| OR: 78| CD

9/2

A 4-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025. Good C&D second in July and not discredited when fifth of 13 over C&D (good) 3 weeks ago. In the picture.

Form: 5-82035

(10)

Tele Red¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Shane Gray| T: K R Burke| OR: 76| D

12/1

In fine form in the mud last autumn, scoring at Pontefract last October. Made an encouraging return when fourth of 11 at Beverley (8.5f, heavy) just under a fortnight ago and has to be respected with that under his belt. Stall 10 tempers enthusiasm, though.

Form: 52212-4

(3)

Rascal Recknell^p1⁶⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr| T: M Appleby| OR: 75

25/1

Successful on 2 of his 4 starts for this yard last season, including at Chelmsford 12 months ago. Little encouragement to glean from both outings this year so has a bit to prove. Hopes pinned on first-time cheekpieces sparking a revival.

Form: 1612-00

(6)

Vidmiyr⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: J Candlish| OR: 79

9/2

Won at Lingfield in May prior to posting good placed efforts there and over C&D. Not disgraced but was rather flat compared with displays earlier in the campaign when fourth of 6 at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) 6 weeks ago so needs to bounce back.

Form: 312304

(5)

Be Frank⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72

4/1

Scored on 2025 return at Newmarket and turned in several creditable efforts after. Not seen to best effect on return here in June and stepped forward from that following another 13 weeks off when fourth of 19 at York (1m, good) 6 days ago. Needs things to drop right.

Form: 6545-64

(2)

Zermatt Star^p³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Cam Hardie| T: T Coyle & K Wood| OR: 74| D

5/1

Much improved in first-time cheekpieces to land 13-runner event at Ripon earlier in the month and ran equally as well under a 6-lb penalty when second of 9 at Carlisle (1m, good to soft) 3 days ago. Her suitability for this track is up for debate though (needed time to get going last 2 starts).

Form: 004012

Non-Runners

(8)

Walsingham¹³

Weight: 9-11| Age: 6

T: D O'Meara J: Mark Winn

(7)

Giant¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: S D Bowen

Forecasts

Hot Cash (4/1), Be Frank (4/1), Vidmiyr (9/2), Vixey (9/2), Zermatt Star (5/1), Best Rate (8/1), Walsingham (10/1), Tele Red (12/1), Giant (16/1), Rascal Recknell (25/1)

On the face of it HOT CASH looks a tough one to recommend but there have been excuses for some recent below-par efforts and first-time cheekpieces could be just what are required to spark Jack Channon's 4-y-o back to life. He gets the tentative nod over Vixey, who goes well at this venue and arrives in good order. Veteran Tele Red warrants plenty of respect after an encouraging return but stall 10 may well scupper his chances.