September 09 / 16.33 Chester

16.33

Good

Envirosips Handicap

  • Prize money: £9681.27
  • 1m 7f 196y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
SKY
View Course
Envirosips Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

OUR TIP

Abandoned

Form: 111-74

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Four-time Polytrack winner late last year, latterly off a 3lb lower mark; handles turf but he's patchy on it and probably wouldn't want too many showers turning up under a big weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(5)

29th Mar 2024

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 3

15:15 Lingfield (AW)

Bascule

9st 10lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Richard Hughes

Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-14 since, but he's finished a respectable fourth at Kempton (2m) in his last two runs and is now 1lb lower than for last win; shouldn't far away.

8/1

4th

1

(3)

13th Mar 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Bascule

10st 2lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Richard Hughes

Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-13 since, but was back off his last winning mark when a close fourth of 12 over C&D in January (runner-up has won since); possibilities in the returning blinkers.

3/1

4th

2

(4)

6th Jan 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 7f 218y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Bascule

10st 2lb

J: George Rooke

T: Richard Hughes

Winless since 2021 but his AW record is a solid one and he shaped nicely after a break when fourth of seven over an inadequate 1m4f at Wolverhampton four weeks ago; returns to a more suitable trip and high on the list.

7/2

Form: 1-7590 C

Last run: 69 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Likes it here and the more rain the better for him; is back on his last successful mark (this card on soft ground last year) and holds decent claims having run in some warm handicaps since three hurdle wins last winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(3)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

15:55 Chester

Its Good To Laugh

9st 8lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Competitive form at this track in 2023 and didn't run too badly when eighth in last season's Chester Plate; however, it was after a year off when tailed off here two weeks ago and that run was worrying.

20/1

11th

1

(1)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

15:20 Chester

Its Good To Laugh

10st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ran some big races on Flat in 2023 and three of them were at this track; fair eighth of 16 in the Chester Plate last May but that was his only appearance last year; dropped 5lb in his absence but whether this is the time to latch on to him remains to be seen.

25/1

11th

1

(1)

31st May 2025

Good To Soft

1m 7f 196y

Class 4

15:20 Chester

Its Good To Laugh

10st 0lb

J: George Wood

T: Jennie Candlish

Ran some big races on Flat in 2023 and three of them were at this track; fair eighth of 16 in the Chester Plate last May but that was his only appearance last year; dropped 5lb in his absence but whether this is the time to latch on to him remains to be seen.

25/1

Abandoned

Form: 412-32 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Mare

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Two solid efforts this season, back from breaks of a year and then three months; is fine on any ground but being nudged up a further 2lb means she's on a career-high mark and now 6lb above her last successful rating.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(2)

10th Oct 2022

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 1

16:00 Yarmouth

Frankenstella

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

dwelt start, in rear from over 2f out, pushed along and outpaced over 4f out, struggling 3f out, held and tenderly handled from 2f out

20/1

7th

7

(14)

24th Sep 2022

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

15:25 Chester

Frankenstella

8st 11lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John Quinn

prominent, going easily over 3f out, soon pushed along and outpaced, ridden 2f out, weakened gradually inside final furlong

9/1

Abandoned

Form: -64242 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Ex-Irish gelding who likes it here and has enjoyed a consistent season without winning; there can't be any complaints about stall 2 for a confirmed front-runner but he needs to find a bit more from somewhere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

21st Jul 2025

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

15:12 Cartmel

Emiyn

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Useful Flat stayer who has made the frame on all three hurdling starts; left behind by wide-margin winner when second here (2m6f, soft) last month but that was still a good effort and he's a contender over this shorter trip.

5/1

5

27th Jun 2025

Good

2m 6f 31y

Class 4

14:38 Cartmel

Emiyn

11st 4lb

J: Conor Orr

T: Declan Carroll

Useful Flat performer and was running okay (beaten 5l in the Chester Cup) until below par last time with a visor back on (now discarded); two respectable efforts over hurdles last year, notably when second in an Aintree maiden; every chance; has no clear ground preferences.

7/4

4

(7)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 46y

Class 2

16:40 Haydock

Emiyn

8st 13lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

Often ridden by Zak Wheatley; slow starts have been interfering with what used to be a front-running role; best known for exploits at Chester, admittedly last winning any race in July 2023; ran creditably off this mark in good handicaps both starts this term, sixth in the Chester Cup last time, but he was third in this race last year and may come up a bit short once again.

4/1

Form: 12-340 CD

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Has a win and a solid third (Emiyn just behind) to his name in two runs here; Galway flop in July, when said to have stopped very quickly, will need forgiving though and he's 5lb above his highest winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17th

8

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

2m 2f 140y

Class 2

16:10 Chester

Call My Bluff

9st 6lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

Bang there every time in his four races at Chester, including the Cup in 2023 but absent 758 days afterwards; back to life at Newbury (2m, good) three weeks ago, making all in a six-runner race; has a 3lb penalty and drawn higher than ideal but he was another 6lb higher at his peak and has returned to serious calculations.

12/1

1st

7

(2)

17th Apr 2026

Good

2m 0f 110y

Class 3

16:20 Newbury

Call My Bluff

8st 7lb

J: J F Egan

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

5-25; second in this race in 2023 and close third in the Chester Cup (2m2f, again on soft; favourite off 9lb higher than today) that May but absent for 758 days afterwards; while not disgraced on reappearance last October, he then tailed off on AW last month; major questions to answer regarding the ground and what he's currently capable of.

33/1

9th

1

(9)

4th Mar 2026

Standard

2m 2f 98y

Class 4

17:40 Southwell (AW)

Call My Bluff

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dominic Ffrench Davis

5-24; close third in the Chester Cup (2m2f, soft; 11-4 favourite) in May 2023; off for 758 days thereafter; weakened inside the final furlong when fourth of eight at Nottingham (2m, good; 33-1) in October; off since; now 2lb lower for first AW appearance since July 2022.

14/1

Form: 42-043

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Below market expectations on his first two runs back; fared a bit better last time, again from the front, but will do well to dictate with Emiyn drawn next door and is winless since landing his maiden as a 2yo.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(8)

23rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 37y

Class 5

17:35 Bath

Star Caliber

9st 12lb

J: Tom Queally

T: Amanda Perrett

Winless since a successful debut at two when with Andrew Balding; hasn't beaten many since returning for this yard and his last 16 starts have been over further.

10/1

6th

9

(2)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:30 Ascot

Star Caliber

8st 12lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Amanda Perrett

Still without a win since making a successful debut as a 2yo; ran creditably both starts here (2021) but hasn't beaten many since returning for this yard in April, including when last of three on penultimate start, so others have more pressing claims.

25/1

Form: 543121 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 8st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Progressive since the blinkers went on, finishing a clear second in between two Nottingham wins; ran well here off this mark (upped another 5lb) last spring but will find today's company more of a challenge.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

1st

1

(3)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:22 Nottingham

Alpine Stroll

11st 13lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Dual Nottingham winner; acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form next time (1m6f, which he stays) but Henry Callan galvanised him to a 1m4f win at Newbury (soft) on Saturday; sole attempt at 1m2f was in 2021 but he had to hold on at Newbury after going clear and his appearance over this trip with 4lb penalty no longer looks ridiculous.

2/1

12

(7)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:50 Newbury

Alpine Stroll

10st 11lb

J: Mr Henry Callan

T: Lemos De Souza

Acts on soft, unraced on heavy; shot back to some form when storming home in an amateur riders' race at Bath (11.5f, good to soft) last month; well below form off this 7lb higher mark at Haydock (1m6f, which he stays) 13 days later, however.

12/1

Abandoned

Form: 068333 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Has always tended to be best in the summer and has never won after July; isn't as good as he was but arrives in form and is closely matched with Emiyn on latest C&D running.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

1st Sep 2023

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Mancini

10st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Patrick Morris

Mutiple winner at up to 16.5f but on a 22-race losing run; handy mark based on last year's form, when with Ian Williams but well below that level in two starts for this trainer.

10/1

10th

13

(3)

15th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 6f 87y

Class 4

15:52 Chester

Mancini

8st 11lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Patrick Morris

Very well handicapped on his best form but last win was three years ago and he was tailed off on his stable/seasonal debut here (2m, good) two weeks ago; opposable.

33/1

Abandoned

Form: 6545U4 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Only turf win came here, when a strong pace set things up for him last September; hasn't been operating at that level this year, however, and only holds outside claims from 6lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(7)

9th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Sophar Sogood

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: John Butler

Convincing winner at Catterick (2m, good) in August and following effort was respectable; ran no race last time at Chester but wouldn't be without hope if back on song.

20/1

11th

13

(1)

12th Sep 2025

Good

1m 7f 196y

Class 5

15:50 Chester

Sophar Sogood

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: John Butler

Returned to turf with convincing win at Catterick (2m good) last month and has the plum inside draw here but had to settle for fifth off new mark a fortnight ago and may find younger rivals better handicapped again.

12/1

1

(8)

28th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ffos Las

Sophar Sogood

10st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: John Butler

Five-time AW winner whose success at Catterick (2m, good) three weeks ago was a first win on turf for nearly four years; might need a fraction more up 4lb but that was a pretty convincing success; Colin Keane's first ride for the yard; respected.

7/2

Verdict

A few front-runners, a number who like it round here but also several who are weighted to their best. Handily IT’S GOOD TO LAUGH (nap) only falls into the middle category, with him usually held up and back down to the mark off which he won this corresponding race (then staged over the extended 1m4f) on soft ground last year. He’s preferred to Frankenstella, who’s had a light season.[Graham Wheldon]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

It's Good To Laugh

Telegraph:

Alpine Stroll

RP Ratings:

Call My Bluff

TOPSPEED:

Emiyn

Daily Mail:

Star Caliber

The Star:

Frankenstella

The Guardian:

Alpine Stroll

Daily Record:

Alpine Stroll

LAMBOURN:

Call My Bluff

The Times:

It's Good To Laugh

Daily Express:

It's Good To Laugh

Daily Mirror:

It's Good To Laugh

POSTDATA:

Emiyn