17.05
SoftChester Handicap
- Prize money: £10192
- 0m 7f 1y
- Class 4
- 11 runners
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Cloudy
13/2 (Won)
- Win: £8.00
- Place: £2.70
Form: 786124 CD
Last run: 13 days
W: 10st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 15 (9) |
8th May 2026 Good 0m 6f 17y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable. |
12/1 |
|
9th 1 (7) |
18th Oct 2025 Good 0m 5f 212y Class 4 |
9st 9lb |
Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted. |
9/1 |
15/2
- Place: £1.50
Form: 082475 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 10st 0lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 10 (7) |
23rd May 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 6lb |
Plenty of C&D form in big fields, notably wins on good to soft in 2023 and July 2025; while not so striking as Leadman, he didn't have the best of runs when fifth of 22 over C&D eight days ago, so might step up a bit today. |
10/1 |
|
5th 12 (8) |
15th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Has plenty of C&D form, notably wins in 2023 and 2025 (good to soft) and respectable fourth (off current mark) in this race 12 months ago; thereabouts provided he improves on efforts elsewhere this term. |
13/2 |
|
5th 8 (4) |
18th Apr 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 3lb |
He finished down the field in this race 12 months ago but he has had the benefit of a run this time around and a promising effort it was too, shuffled back at a crucial stage but keeping on close home (7f, good to soft); his record at York suggests one eye may be on next month's Dante meeting but he's more than capable off this mark. |
12/1 |
13/2
- Place: £2.10
Form: 241932 C
Last run: 7 days
W: 9st 10lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 (4) |
15th Mar 2026 Heavy 0m 6f 0y |
9st 9lb |
Fine campaign last season included wins at Naas (6f, gd-yld) and Leopardstown (7.5f, good); excellent run off this mark in 1m premier handicap here (good) in June; below best when last seen at Galway in August; handles softer ground and could go well if he's fit. |
12/1 |
|
8 (13) |
3rd Aug 2025 Yielding 0m 7f 0y |
9st 7lb |
Has done really well since joining current trainer this year, winning at Naas and Leopardstown (beating Fort Vega) and good second in Curragh premier handicap; fast ground may not have suited last time; cheekpieces now tried and rider's claim a positive. |
12/1 |
|
9th 2 (4) |
10th Jul 2025 Good 1m 1f 0y |
9st 12lb |
Winner of two recent starts at 6f/7.5f; 0.75l second behind Slieve Binnian at the Curragh last time (1m, good); didn't get a clear run that day and ran on late; raised 3lb but he looks a big player. |
6/1 |
16/1
Form: -14159 D
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 8lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 83
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 10 (8) |
16th May 2026 Good 1m 0f 0y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Lingfield (1m, AW) last month but not at the same level at Epsom (8.5f, good) and Kempton (7f, AW) since, and needs to get back on track. |
20/1 |
|
8th 2 (11) |
6th May 2026 Standard To Slow 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Added to a good record in the spring when winning off 2lb lower at Lingfield (1m) last month in first-time cheekpieces; a long way below that level on turf since and this trip is a bare minimum round here, especially from a wide stall. |
16/1 |
|
9th 5 (5) |
28th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 1m 0f 113y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
7f nursery winner here (good; has won on good to firm) in 2023; landed seventh AW win when scoring at Lingfield (1m; first-time cheekpieces, retained) a fortnight ago; has won off higher marks than this and must be considered on his return to turf. |
7/2 |
11/4
Form: 62-912 C
Last run: 11 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 9 (3) |
31st May 2026 Good 0m 6f 60y |
9st 4lb |
Over two years since latest of only two wins; second over 6f at the Curragh in October and ran well over 7.5f on return, but poor strike-rate overall; prefers it soft but handles good. |
10/1 |
|
4th 1 (2) |
18th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 94y |
10st 2lb |
Only two wins from 40 starts, but placed 16 times; last won at the Curragh (6f, heavy) in April 2024 off 3lb lower; generally below best last year apart from Listowel fourth and Currgah second in the autumn; has a preference for soft/heavy |
12/1 |
16/1
Form: 007030 CD
Last run: 43 days
W: 9st 8lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 79
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
12th 12 (2) |
4th Oct 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
midfield towards far side |
20/1 |
|
6th 8 (9) |
13th Sep 2024 Soft 0m 7f 1y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Acts on soft; close third on penultimate start, inconsistent otherwise this year; three-time winner at Chester and has possibilities back here, provided he takes well to first-time visor. |
16/1 |
|
11th 10 (8) |
1st Aug 2024 Standard 1m 0f 142y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
7f course winner who had dropped 6lb lower than when successful at Newcastle (7f, Tapeta) last December when beaten less than a length into third of 11 at Ripon (1m, good to soft) 12 days ago; races off the same mark but this trip looks to be right on the limit of his stamina. |
10/1 |
14/1
Form: 1-6003
Last run: 30 days
W: 9st 10lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 81
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 8 (5) |
16th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 3 |
9st 1lb |
Notched two wins over this trip at Catterick last October and he has returned in fine form, making much of the running when a close third over C&D (good ground) last month; solid claims again from an unchanged mark. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 3 (8) |
18th Apr 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 4 |
9st 6lb |
Won a pair of 7f handicaps at Catterick last October; returned from a 142-day absence with a fine third at Newcastle three weeks ago, doing best of the smaller stands' side group; runs off the same mark today and should make another bold bid. |
6/1 |
|
3rd 5 (9) |
27th Mar 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 4 |
9st 7lb |
Ended a long losing run with back-to-back wins from the front over 7f at Catterick last October; found out in a higher grade at Musselburgh on final start; fifth is the best he's managed in four AW starts (all here) and it's likely best to look elsewhere on reappearance. |
33/1 |
13/2
Form: 323481 D
Last run: 24 days
W: 8st 13lb
3 yo Colt
OR: 74
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 13 (11) |
12th Oct 2024 Standard 1m 0f 0y Class 4 |
8st 12lb |
took keen hold, prominent, switched to centre and ridden over 1f out |
14/1 |
|
8th 13 (12) |
13th Sep 2024 Soft 0m 7f 1y Class 4 |
8st 13lb |
Took advantage of a good opportunity in weak 7f maiden at Brighton (with cheekpieces applied) last month; has frame possibilities on the pick of his handicap form. |
13/2 |
6/1
Form: 43222
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 3lb
3 yo Gelding
OR: 78
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 3 (4) |
28th Apr 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 5 |
9st 5lb |
Wins have been over 6f on turf and 7f on the AW (Newcastle); has been running well for a while and latest effort back at Newcastle was better than it looks. |
5/1 |
|
7th 10 (10) |
20th Apr 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 5 |
9st 1lb |
Record of 2-20 but his last win was over C&D last month and he was only beaten 2l behind Anthropologist here last time; remains feasibly treated on his best form and he has possibilities. |
9/1 |
|
4th 6 (1) |
27th Mar 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 5 |
9st 6lb |
Promising third when back up to 7f at Southwell last month then won over this C&D, beating Concert Boy (due to run in the 5:00) by a short head; unexposed at the trip and respected up just 2lb. |
5/1 |
14/1
Form: -31159 D
Last run: 13 days
W: 9st 11lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 9 (10) |
19th May 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 6 |
9st 2lb |
Won twice for Richard Fahey in the summer of 2024 but lost his way; sold for 10,000gns to join new yard in October; gambled on but well held on stable debut at Thirsk (7f, good) last month in first-time cheekpieces (now removed); may be worth another chance off sliding mark. |
6/1 |
|
12th 5 (11) |
10th Apr 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 6 |
9st 9lb |
2-25 for Richard Fahey, the wins coming in 2024 (one over C&D); left that yard out of form and for 10,000gns; historically well handicapped if Adam Kirby can get him going again; tries cheekpieces; market interesting. |
9/2 |
|
6 (2) |
15th Sep 2025 Good 0m 7f 0y Class 5 |
9st 3lb |
C&D winner in 2024; shaped as though ready to exploit his reduced mark at Catterick (7f, good to soft) in July but two tame efforts have followed and he now has questions to answer again. |
7/1 |
33/1
Form: 129730 D
Last run: 6 days
W: 9st 5lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 76
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 (5) |
11th Nov 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
Has often started slowly but he's taken things to the next level the past twice, refusing to jump away either time; is quite capable off this mark if in the mood but comes with obvious risks attached. |
33/1 |
|
7 (5) |
11th Nov 2024 Standard 1m 0f 5y Class 4 |
9st 4lb |
refused to race |
33/1 |
|
3 (8) |
3rd Oct 2024 Standard 1m 2f 42y Class 5 |
9st 13lb |
Comes with major risks attached as he was badly out of form on turf last month and refused to race at Redcar last week, while he's untested beyond about 1m; however, his last two wins have come here and he's dropped to a dangerous mark; not ruled out now back on this track. |
14/1 |
Non-runners
Another Investment, Albeseeingyer
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £33.00 |
| Straight Forecast | £30.18 |
| Tricast | £153.00 |
| Trifecta | £228.20 |
Selections
RP RATINGS:
MercurialTelegraph:
Paws For ThoughtSPOTLIGHT:
Phoenix Of DreamsTOPSPEED:
Berkshire NuggetThe Star:
MercurialDaily Record:
MercurialDaily Mail:
Paws For ThoughtD Express:
Paws For ThoughtDaily Mirror:
Paws For Thought