September 13 / 17.05 Chester

17.05

Soft

Chester Handicap

  • Prize money: £10192
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 4
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Chester Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £8.00
  • Place: £2.70

Form: 786124 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Seems to handle soft/heavy ground; four wins at Chester, the most recent over 5f in July with Charlie Maggs on board; has remained in form over 6f/7f here since; solid chance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(13)

5th Oct 2024

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 3

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Paws For Thought

9st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Eight-time turf winner, the latest a fine front-running effort at Chester (7f, heavy) last month; only midfield in the Ayr Silver Cup a fortnight ago; shaped well in one AW run in April (seasonal debut); widest draw off-putting though.

16/1

12th

3

(1)

21st Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Ayr

Paws For Thought

9st 11lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Six of his last seven starts have been at Chester, winning over 5f (good) in July and nailing it from the front on heavy (7f) last week; better handicapped now than when beating only one home in the Gold Cup last September but this is a tough call.

20/1

15/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 082475 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Campaigned in higher grades this term, best effort when solid second at York in June; won easily off this mark at Catterick (7f, heavy) on last attempt in Class 4; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

20

(18)

12th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Quest For Fun

8st 6lb

J: Amie Waugh

T: Tim Easterby

0-11 this year but twice runner-up, including over 7f here on good to soft ground in June; possible excuses for below-par runs last two starts (turned out very quickly on latest); others have more obvious claims but he's quite well handicapped and impossible to dismiss.

20/1

8th

6

(3)

28th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:20 Ripon

Quest For Fun

8st 13lb

J: David Allan

T: Tim Easterby

raced far side

9/1

5th

5

(4)

27th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

17:10 Haydock

Quest For Fun

9st 8lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Ideally suited by good or slower ground and was a creditable second on heavy at Chester (7f) two weeks ago; nudged up 1lb for that but his last win was off a similar mark last autumn and he should go well again.

5/1

13/2

  • Place: £2.10

Form: 241932 C

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Respectable second, albeit no match for winner, at Ascot last week; clung on for neck win off this mark here (7.5f, soft) in June and has a fighting chance returned to the Roodee.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

6

(12)

2nd Oct 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Love Billy Boy

9st 11lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

in touch with leaders

12/1

3rd

5

(1)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Love Billy Boy

9st 10lb

J: Franny Norton

T: Richard Hannon

Respectable second, albeit no match for winner, at Ascot last week; clung on for neck win off this mark here (7.5f, soft) in June and has a fighting chance returned to the Roodee.

13/2

2nd

3

(7)

6th Sep 2024

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Ascot

Love Billy Boy

9st 9lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

took keen hold, in touch with leaders

10/1

16/1

Form: -14159 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Successful twice on turf as a 2yo but has gained this year's two wins on AW at Kempton; held off this highest mark twice since returned to grass and needs a personal best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(3)

26th Sep 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:05 Newmarket

Mr Baloo

9st 12lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Won twice on turf as a 2yo but has gained this year's two wins on AW at Kempton; something to find today judged on turf efforts in particular.

16/1

4th

7

(5)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Mr Baloo

9st 8lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Richard Hannon

Successful twice on turf as a 2yo but has gained this year's two wins on AW at Kempton; held off this highest mark twice since returned to grass and needs a personal best.

16/1

11/4

Form: 62-912 C

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Suited by ground softer than good; won at this course when trained in Britain; opened his Irish account at the Curragh (6f) in April, then was absent until clear second at Roscommon (7.5f) last week; due to go up 6lb in future; great chance, provided wide draw doesn't prove troublesome.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(14)

14th Sep 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

16:40 Chester

Mercurial

9st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: John J Nallen

prominent on outer, lost position halfway

8/1

5th

11

(11)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Mercurial

9st 3lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: John J Nallen

Suited by ground softer than good; won at this course when trained in Britain; opened his Irish account at the Curragh (6f) in April, then was absent until clear second at Roscommon (7.5f) last week; due to go up 6lb in future; great chance, provided wide draw doesn't prove troublesome.

11/4

2nd

11

(8)

2nd Sep 2024

Soft To Heavy

0m 7f 94y

17:15 Roscommon

Mercurial

9st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: John J Nallen

midfield, nudged along before halfway, headway when ridden under 2f out, switched left when went second from 1f out, kept on and pressed winner inside final 110yds, just held

11/4

Form: 007030 CD

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
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.
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

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Master Zoffany

9st 4lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Richard Fahey

midfield towards far side

20/1

6th

8

(9)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Master Zoffany

9st 8lb

J: Jack Garritty

T: Richard Fahey

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

19:15 Wolverhampton (AW)

Master Zoffany

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

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

Form & Verdict
Something to prove on soft/heavy ground; otherwise looks nicely treated, having defied a 2lb higher mark in 2023; mixed results this year but latest effort gives cause for optimism.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(2)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Mudamer

9st 10lb

J: David Allan

T: Geoffrey Harker

Something to prove on soft/heavy ground; otherwise looks nicely treated, having defied a 2lb higher mark in 2023; mixed results this year but latest effort gives cause for optimism.

14/1

3rd

5

(5)

14th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Mudamer

9st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

Down the field the last twice and hasn't built on a fair reappearance run at Thirsk in May; however, he's now 1lb lower than when winning this last year (good to firm) on his sole course visit, and he's worth a second look.

8/1

10th

9

(10)

3rd Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 218y

Class 2

16:30 Thirsk

Mudamer

9st 1lb

J: Sam James

T: Geoffrey Harker

midfield on outer

20/1

Form: 323481 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 74

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

8th

13

(12)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Berkshire Nugget

8st 13lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

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

Form: 43222

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Consistent record reads 43222 and the form has enough substance to think his current mark is workable; sound effort at Chepstow (7f, good to soft) in sole handicap run; could well open his account.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

58

20th Sep 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:15 Ayr

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 1lb

T: John & Sean Quinn

9th

12

(7)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 3lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Consistent record reads 43222 and the form has enough substance to think his current mark is workable; sound effort at Chepstow (7f, good to soft) in sole handicap run; could well open his account.

6/1

2nd

7

(3)

30th Aug 2024

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

16:45 Southwell (AW)

Phoenix Of Dreams

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: John & Sean Quinn

Promise in maiden/novice events at up to 7.5f and he showed improved form when second to an improving filly on last month's handicap debut at Chepstow; worth a crack at 6f and he won't need much improvement to play a leading role.

7/2

10th
3 (6)
Reidh

14/1

Form: -31159 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Maiden prior to scoring over 7f at Thirsk (good to firm) and Galway (yielding) this summer; came up short in Class 2 races since and this drop back in grade looks a plus; not written off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

3

(6)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Reidh

9st 11lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Richard Fahey

Maiden prior to scoring over 7f at Thirsk (good to firm) and Galway (yielding) this summer; came up short in Class 2 races since and this drop back in grade looks a plus; not written off.

14/1

9th

17

(16)

31st Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:40 Chester

Reidh

8st 6lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

taken down early

25/1

5th

8

(3)

22nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

20:45 Newcastle (AW)

Reidh

8st 5lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Richard Fahey

He had been expensive to follow prior to getting off the mark in a Class 6 handicap at Thirsk in June; followed that with a taking success at Galway three weeks ago, conceding first run to the runner-up and doing well to claw him back in the closing stages; he's gone up 17lb for those two wins and it will require another step forward for him to take this.

7/1

33/1

Form: 129730 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Triple AW scorer; beaten long way at Haydock (back from a break) last Saturday, taking turf record to 0-12 and extending the deterioration of his form in this sphere.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(8)

3rd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:30 Newcastle (AW)

Star Zinc

9st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Rebecca Menzies

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

3

(3)

25th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 4

16:32 Redcar

Star Zinc

9st 10lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Rebecca Menzies

refused to race

50/1

11th

10

(10)

13th Sep 2024

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

17:05 Chester

Star Zinc

9st 5lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Rebecca Menzies

Triple AW scorer; beaten long way at Haydock (back from a break) last Saturday, taking turf record to 0-12 and extending the deterioration of his form in this sphere.

33/1

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:

Mercurial

Telegraph:

Paws For Thought

SPOTLIGHT:

Phoenix Of Dreams

TOPSPEED:

Berkshire Nugget

POSTDATA:

Quest For Fun

The Times:

Mercurial

The Guardian:

Mercurial

The Star:

Mercurial

Daily Record:

Mercurial

Daily Mail:

Paws For Thought

D Express:

Paws For Thought

Daily Mirror:

Paws For Thought