May 12 / 14.05 Chester

14.05

Soft

Precision Facades Handicap

  • Prize money: £20384
  • 1m 2f 70y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
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Precision Facades Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

9/2 (Won)

  • Win: £5.00
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 18-146 CD

Last run: 50 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Made all in grand style in C&D handicap at this meeting last year, his only appearance at this track; acts on soft and although his form dipped in French Listed race in March on latest outing, 1m4f probably played a part; also had wind surgery soon afterwards; big shout if back on song.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(6)

31st Dec 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:44 Lingfield (AW)

Pride Of America

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Amy Murphy

High-class handicap form in 2023 and rounded off that campaign with two good runs in Listed company; absent for 398 days before a low-key run at Newcastle 25 days ago; subsequent wind op (his fourth) suggests there was more to that than just needing the outing and cheekpieces are now added (worn once in 2020); chance if back to his best but a point to prove for now.

11/2

5th

3

(6)

31st Dec 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:44 Lingfield (AW)

Pride Of America

9st 10lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Amy Murphy

High-class handicap form in 2023 and rounded off that campaign with two good runs in Listed company; absent for 398 days before a low-key run at Newcastle 25 days ago; subsequent wind op (his fourth) suggests there was more to that than just needing the outing and cheekpieces are now added (worn once in 2020); chance if back to his best but a point to prove for now.

11/2

9th

1

(8)

6th Dec 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

15:13 Newcastle (AW)

Pride Of America

10st 0lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Amy Murphy

Very useful performer whose overall strike-rate is 7-21 (3-6 on AW); landed a major 1m2f handicap on turf (off 1lb lower) in 2023 and went close in Listed grade when last seen 13 months ago; market instructive on belated reappearance.

6/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 2153-5 D

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
Soft ground probably okay; third of four in a Group 3 here one year ago was his best form at the time but he's done better since, including when fifth of seven in AW Listed race on reappearance when he would have challenged for second but for having his way blocked; continues up the weights but needs respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Savvy Victory

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: S Woods

His form deteriorated last year and he went 0-9; however, he's dropped down the weights and could improve for his recent comeback in a Listed race at Kempton (fourth); this C&D winner is not ruled out.

15/2

4th

5

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Savvy Victory

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Woods

Useful handicapper on his day including on AW, but unplaced in all nine starts since reappearing a year ago and would be receiving weight from all his rivals in a handicap.

20/1

10/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 2803-7 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 11lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Missed 2021 but not far off his best form with two minor honours in 2022, at this meeting on first occasion; soft ground may have been against him for French Listed race three weeks ago but would also therefore be a concern today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(8)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Certain Lad

9st 3lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Multiple winner down the years but 2025 figures suggest age may be catching up with him to some degree; hasn't won a domestic race since 2023 and it's an even longer time since he made a successful seasonal debut.

14/1

3

(3)

19th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:26 Leopardstown

Certain Lad

9st 7lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Strike rate of 11-49 reads well although hasn't won in over a year and this season has been restricted by quick ground; had his favoured soft ground but still good bit below best at Ayr last month so must be doubtful he can run to current mark and ideally wants a bit further.

8/1

3

(1)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ayr

Certain Lad

9st 5lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

9yo whose form has been mixed across three starts this year; however, they've all been on good ground and his last five wins have come on good to soft and slower ground, the latest a Group 3 at Longchamp (1m2f, soft) last September; could bounce back with a big run if conditions are in his favour.

6/1

Form: 44234- D

Last run: 237 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Sole win (eight races) came in a maiden in March 2022 but improved form in handicaps and Listed races afterwards; hooded (he can race freely) all of last season except when tongue tied on final outing, and he has both today; acts on good to soft, unraced on worse; needs to find extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

1st Sep 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:10 Worcester

Groundbreaker

11st 4lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Useful over middle distances at his best on Flat for Andrew Balding; 20,000gns buy in September 2023 and had a second wind operation this March; showed some ability on hurdles debut over C&D this July but needs to build markedly on that; often hooded on Flat and it returns today.

12/1

4th

2

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:20 Worcester

Groundbreaker

11st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: David Pipe

Useful Flat-racer over middle-distance trips for Andrew Balding; not seen since disappointing run in September (changed hands for 20,000gns soon afterwards) but still a very interesting recruit to hurdling; had another wind op (his second) in March.

3/1

Form: 3020-4

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Scored twice in 2021; no joy since but he was competitive on occasions last term and ran respectably on recent return; edging down the weights and trip/ground look okay; considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

8

(1)

31st Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 2

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Fantastic Fox

9st 2lb

J: Aidan Keeley

T: Roger Varian

Drawn a blank since January 2024 but he hasn't had much clemency from the handicapper; latest AW run saw him finish fourth at Newcastle in June having met trouble in running and he will be in the shake-up if anywhere near that level.

5/1

Form: 300-93 CD

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; kicked off last season with two wins, latterly in this race (the last of three wins at Chester from four attempts); has the same mark today, reflecting some lesser shows in hot races last July but his never-nearer third of 12 at Pontefract 18 days ago suggested he's on his way back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

15

(13)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 43y

Class 3

16:15 Doncaster

Baryshnikov

8st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

slowly away, in rear

25/1

8/1

Form: 45220- D

Last run: 217 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Six races, best form when runner-up at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f, good; 2lb higher today) in his first handicap; second to a runaway winner in Listed race at Windsor (11.4f, good to soft) but his form dipped in a good Newmarket handicap (hooded, having raced freely) on final outing; may have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(12)

8th Jul 2023

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Maksud

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: Hughie Morrison

Needs to produce more than he's managed on his two runs this season but it wasn't a bad performance at Royal Ascot a fortnight ago and he's on a handy mark on last season's best form; remains lightly raced and not written off.

6/1

12th

12

(15)

23rd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:40 Ascot

Maksud

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hughie Morrison

Seven races, best form when runner-up off this mark at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f, good) in his first handicap; never figured over 1m2f at Chester on reappearance but worth a second look for trainer who won this race in 2003, 2010, 2015 and 2021.

12/1

7th

4

(8)

12th May 2023

Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Maksud

9st 5lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hughie Morrison

Six races, best form when runner-up at Glorious Goodwood (1m4f, good; 2lb higher today) in his first handicap; second to a runaway winner in Listed race at Windsor (11.4f, good to soft) but his form dipped in a good Newmarket handicap (hooded, having raced freely) on final outing; may have more to offer.

8/1

33/1

Form: 30/1-0

Last run: 18 days

W: 8st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
1-15 in France; 33-1 winner at York (1m4f, good) last June on British debut but tailed off at Pontefract (12-1) 18 days ago on first run since; cheekpieces (tried once in France, ran well) return; 2lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(2)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

16lb below his last winning mark, but losing run now up to 15; might get more of a pace to run at than when fifth of nine over C&D last time, but others have more to recommend them; stable also runs Simiyann.

11/4

5th

9

(9)

28th Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 3

19:15 Southwell (AW)

Zealandia

8st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Handicapper has been relenting and he showed a lot more with third of 14 in a Racing League handicap at Newcastle (about 2m, Tapeta; 25-1) one week ago; a repeat of that puts him bang there; 2lb well in.

11/2

7

(3)

21st Aug 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Zealandia

9st 6lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Ian Williams

Has got himself well handicapped for good reason and his recent thirds were none too threatening; doubts remain; another tweak on the headgear front.

20/1

Form: 6150-7 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft; below form in this race last year, his only run at Chester; won next time but something seemed amiss at York in August and, following wind surgery, his recent reappearance at Epsom wasn't great; needs a big revival but may have needed that latest run.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(12)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Lord Protector

10st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Disappointed when last in action and remains on a losing streak but competes off new career-low mark here and will be suited by the trip-and-surface combination; hooded for first time; can't be ruled out.

10/1

7th

1

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Hasn't won for a while but his turn will come and a tactical race didn't suit when third to Spanish Hustle here recently.

7/1

3rd

1

(1)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

19:45 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

No win since taking a Class 2 at Sandown (1m2f) in July 2023; kicked off 2025 with a pleasing AW effort at Newcastle (runner-up from 4lb higher) but unable to build positively on that since; latest 1m4f Ripon third (Haptics sixth) respectable but the wait for another win may go on.

9/2

Form: 2000-0

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

7

(3)

31st Aug 2023

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 3

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

Cap Francais

9st 3lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

in touch with leaders

12/1

Non-runners

Cap Francais

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.70
Straight Forecast £16.63
Tricast £152.65
Trifecta £159.90

Selections

Telegraph:

Savvy Victory

NEWMARKET:

Pride Of America

SPOTLIGHT:

Baryshnikov

The Times:

Groundbreaker

The Star:

Lord Protector

TOPSPEED:

Zealandia

POSTDATA:

Certain Lad

The Sun:

Groundbreaker

Daily Mirror:

Savvy Victory

Daily Record:

Savvy Victory

The Guardian:

Pride Of America

D Express:

Pride Of America

RP RATINGS:

Baryshnikov

Daily Mail:

Baryshnikov