July 12 / 19.50 Chester

19.50

Good To Soft

Chester Handicap

  • Prize money: £15288
  • 1m 2f 70y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
SKY
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Chester Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

10/1 (Won)

  • Win: £6.50
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 3-1659

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Saw his run of good form come to an end when ninth of 12 in 1m2f handicap at Royal Ascot 20 days ago; this fair 8.5f winner appeals as the sort to bounce back though with hood added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Grey Cuban

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.

5/1

1

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Grey Cuban

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who won at Chester (1m2f, good) in July and returned to form when third of five in Listed race there (1m4f, good to soft) last month; he's saved his best for Chester this season but has shown promise at York in the past and the drop back in trip is a likely plus; can make a bold bid.

20/1

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Grey Cuban

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

This course rather dominates his turf record, most notably with a big career best to win 1m2f handicap in July in good style from the front; the scale of his defeats at other tracks on his last two outings is a concern and although better seems likely on this return to Chester, stamina is in doubt.

14/1

8/1

  • Place: £2.90

Form: 307465 C

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Winless since taking this prize a year ago but he wasn't discredited when a never-nearer fifth of 12 in 1m5f Chelmsford handicap five days ago; it would come as no surprise to see him go well with cheekpieces fitted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(7)

28th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Epsom

Dream Harder

10st 2lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Good second off this mark in better race over C&D on Derby day, having scored at Chester the time before; not in the same form since and suffered a heavy defeat last Sunday.

16/1

4

(11)

21st Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 4f 14y

Class 3

17:40 Southwell (AW)

Dream Harder

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Has only won over 1m4f at Chester in his last 26 starts; feasibly handicapped but he hasn't threatened in last four runs and others are more persuasive; 0-2 here.

11/1

Form: 624955 D BF

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Proving a reliable sort since scoring at Doncaster (1m2f) in March and he posted a solid fifth in 1m2f Newmarket handicap 13 days ago; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(4)

4th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

15:21 Hamilton

Qitaal

9st 5lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

Inconsistent and without a win since September 2024; however, he was denied a clear run when second of six at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm) recently and can be in the shake-up if backing that up; versatile ground-wise.

13/2

2nd

5

(2)

25th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Leicester

Qitaal

9st 5lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charlie Johnston

Three turf wins at up to about 1m2f (good to soft and soft), most recent in 2024; promising reappearance on AW in February but he hasn't done as well since and there was little in the locker at Hamilton recently.

9/2

4th

4

(3)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 35y

Class 4

19:50 Hamilton

Qitaal

9st 6lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Charlie Johnston

It's now 15 starts since his last victory and he was tried in cheekpieces when a below-par seventh in 1m2f handicap at Nottingham last month; needs to take a big step forward.

13/2

Form: 8-6012 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Resumed winning ways at Windsor (1m2f) and backed it up with a good second at Haydock (1m2f) later in June; he ought to be in the shake-up nudged up 1lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(5)

21st Jun 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 4

20:15 Haydock

Bodorgan

9st 7lb

J: Billy Garritty

T: Edward Bethell

Runner-up off a similar mark in this race for Charlie Hills last year; made a good start for new yard when third at Hamilton (1m1f) last month and he had another close call at Wetherby (1m2f, good to firm) 19 days ago; usually races prominently and another bold bid is expected.

3/1

1

(7)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Bodorgan

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice for Charles Hills, including 1m2f on fast ground, and he ran well on his stable/seasonal debut at Hamilton last month (1m1f, good to firm), beaten around half a length into third (strong favourite); has races in him off this sort of mark but he could face competition for the lead here.

9/4

1

(7)

2nd Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:30 Wetherby

Bodorgan

9st 10lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Edward Bethell

Won twice for Charles Hills, including 1m2f on fast ground, and he ran well on his stable/seasonal debut at Hamilton last month (1m1f, good to firm), beaten around half a length into third (strong favourite); has races in him off this sort of mark but he could face competition for the lead here.

9/4

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 351519 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
A dual 1m/1m2f winner this term but he came in only ninth in 1m2f York handicap four weeks ago; he needs to get back on track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(6)

8th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 4

16:30 Nottingham

Arthurs Realm

10st 0lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

All wins have come in the spring, mainly on soft ground, but there was no win this time round; has his lowest mark since 2020 but easily his best show this season was in March; usually wears a visor or cheekpieces and now he's blinkered first time.

25/1

3

(3)

16th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 23y

Class 4

16:30 Yarmouth

Arthurs Realm

10st 4lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ed Dunlop

All wins have come in the spring, with one on AW but mainly on soft turf; well handicapped on his best form last season but he's failed to beat a rival in his last two runs and needs a major revival after a break.

25/1

2/1

Form: 7-41

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Easily got off the mark in 1m maiden at Leicester last month; this unexposed son of Lope De Vega appeals as the sort to go on improving, especially now stepped up in trip; big player on his handicap debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(5)

22nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 3

19:45 Newcastle (AW)

So Deuce

9st 7lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Roger Varian

Won in good style at Leicester (1m) in June on third start; well beaten on subsequent handicap debut at Chester (1m2f) but the unique track may not have suited and this 3yo retains potential for his top trainer; AW debut.

15/2

6th

8

(3)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 70y

Class 3

19:50 Chester

So Deuce

9st 1lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Easily got off the mark in 1m maiden at Leicester last month; this unexposed son of Lope De Vega appeals as the sort to go on improving, especially now stepped up in trip; big player on his handicap debut.

2/1

1st

11

(11)

4th Jun 2024

Good To Soft

1m 0f 53y

Class 4

15:33 Leicester

So Deuce

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Roger Varian

Mid-division on sole 2yo start (7f, heavy) and showed promise when fourth in first-time hood (retained) on reappearance at Yarmouth (1m, good) in April; this 290,000gns yearling is in good hands to continue to progress and he's on the shortlist this afternoon.

2/1

Form: 116-00

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
A two-time 1m4f winner in the spring of 2023 but he's been well below par since returning from a long absence in handicaps at Kempton and York this term; others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

towards rear, good headway over 1f out, pressed winner final strides, did well in the circumstances

7/2

2nd

5

(13)

18th Apr 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:07 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Cruised into contention and breezed clear for an easy win over C&D in January when last seen, taking AW record to 3-6 and looking a suitable type for this prize; could well defy a 9lb rise.

7/2

1st

6

(5)

17th Jan 2025

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

14:45 Newcastle (AW)

Old Harrovian

9st 1lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

travelled strongly, held up in rear, steady headway when short of room from 2f out, switched right and led final 110yds, soon niggled along briefly and went clear, readily

7/2

Non-runners

Gloucestershire, Tele Red

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £36.20
Straight Forecast £41.46
Tricast £253.38
Trifecta £136.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

So Deuce

RP RATINGS:

Dream Harder

Daily Mirror:

Bodorgan

TOPSPEED:

Tele Red

Telegraph:

Gloucestershire

POSTDATA:

Arthur's Realm

NEWMARKET:

So Deuce

The Times:

So Deuce

The Guardian:

So Deuce

Daily Mail:

So Deuce

The Sun:

So Deuce

The Star:

So Deuce

Daily Record:

So Deuce

D Express:

Dream Harder