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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 15 (4) |
19th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 6f 17y Class 4 |
8st 9lb |
Multiple course scorer (also goes well on soft) but yet to fire this season and underwent breathing surgery before coming in only ninth of 12 over 7f here eight days ago; first-time tongue-tie replaces cheekpieces now. |
33/1 |
|
9th 12 (7) |
11th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 7f 1y Class 4 |
8st 12lb |
Prolific course winner, including this race in 2024, and he has dropped a long way in the weights; that is a result of some low-key runs this year and a wind operation since the latest is not enough to tempt. |
33/1 |
|
9th 8 (7) |
11th Jul 2026 Good 0m 7f 127y Class 4 |
9st 3lb |
Six-time course winner who is versatile trip-wise but all of his wins have been on good or slower and last two have been in the mud; on a dangerous mark but he didn't fire in his three runs this season; has often worn cheekpieces but is now blinkered first time; non-runner here (7.35) on Friday. |
25/1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 (6) |
17th Oct 2026 Good 0m 7f 6y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Just one win since landing this in 2023 but runner-up in a division of this last year and some sterling efforts in defeat this campaign, including at York last week; has won on good but suited by slower; solid. |
4/1 |
|
2nd 3 (2) |
29th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 7f 50y Class 4 |
9st 11lb |
Things didn't work out when fifth over C&D (heavy) last time but he'd twice gone close at York previously (7f, good to firm/good to soft) and he was second in a division of this race last year; on the shortlist. |
6/1 |
|
5th 3 (10) |
19th Sep 2026 Soft 0m 7f 50y Class 4 |
9st 8lb |
Second in a division of this race 12 months ago off 1lb lower; fine runs at York on his last two starts and another big run is on the cards. |
9/2 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 (4) |
26th Sep 2026 Good To Yielding 0m 7f 0y |
9st 1lb |
Four-time winner who goes on all ground but has rather lost his way this year and returns from a break with a visor enlisted. |
12/1 |
|
5th 3 (1) |
12th Jun 2026 Good 0m 7f 0y |
9st 11lb |
Four wins up to 7.5f and in varying ground conditions; was beaten a long way on return over 6f at the Curragh in March; can do a lot better today but others preferred. |
12/1 |
|
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 |
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 8 (6) |
19th Oct 2026 Standard 1m 0f 13y Class 4 |
9st 5lb |
Won nine races for Richard Hannon; sold for 12,500gns in August and has been gelded; may be best watched on stable debut. |
16/1 |
|
11th 9 (7) |
29th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 0f 0y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Back to winning ways off this mark at Lingfield (1m, AW; cheekpieces first time) in April; he hasn't built on that and others may have his measure. |
14/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 8 (5) |
22nd Sep 2026 Yielding 0m 7f 15y |
9st 6lb |
Far better known for finishing second or third than winning; runner-up in a handicap here in May and a close third at Roscommon last month; can be thereabouts again; fourth in this race last year. |
8/1 |
|
3rd 12 (5) |
31st Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 94y |
9st 1lb |
Plenty of ability but very hard to win with; sole Irish success came at the Curragh in April 2024; later that year, twice second to Merisi Diamond over C&D; again ran well here on seasonal debut and when second at Listowel later in May; possibly needed the run here last time. |
12/1 |
|
8th 16 (1) |
18th Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 111y |
9st 4lb
|
First reserve; has run well in both starts this season; beaten 2.25l when runner up at Listowel when last seen in May; has gone well fresh before and C&D form figures read 224; chance if gets a run. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (2) |
19th Oct 2026 Standard 0m 7f 36y Class 4 |
9st 10lb |
Refitted with cheekpieces (retained today) when back to winning ways in nine-runner handicap at Beverley (7f) last month; up 4lb but can't be discounted in his current mood. |
6/1 |
|
1st 3 (1) |
22nd Sep 2026 Good 0m 7f 75y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
Not at his best on soft ground here 24 days ago but he's better than that and this mark is well within range; likely to bounce back with a big run. |
8/1 |
|
7th 3 (2) |
29th Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 75y Class 4 |
10st 0lb |
C&D winner in the past; began this campaign with two solid efforts and he is well treated if bouncing back; more recent efforts not quite so good though and he goes without headgear today; well drawn and handles soft ground so there are positives as well as negatives. |
14/1 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 (1) |
24th Sep 2026 Standard 0m 7f 14y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
7f winner on Newcastle AW in March when only 1lb lower; that stiffer finish suits him well and he was beaten 3l over C&D when last seen in April. |
7/2 |
|
4 (11) |
8th Aug 2026 Good 0m 7f 50y Class 5 |
9st 12lb |
7f winner on Newcastle AW in March; back on turf for the first time since last October but he's 8lb lower today and he does act on grass; however, jockey bookings suggest Highfield Viking is the stable preferred. |
14/1 |
|
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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 3 (6) |
27th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 0m 6f 16y Class 6 |
9st 8lb |
Won twice over 7f for Richard Fahey in 2024; not added to that tally since, and has been below-par in three starts for new yard; tries a new trip and runs with first-time tongue-tie and blinkers which need to have a positive impact. |
7/1 |
|
7th 6 (2) |
8th Jun 2026 Good 0m 5f 3y Class 6 |
9st 6lb |
Won twice over 7f for Richard Fahey in 2024; not added to that tally since, and has been below-par on both starts for new yard (7f); takes a marked drop in trip. |
7/1 |
|
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 |
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:
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Paws For ThoughtSPOTLIGHT:
Phoenix Of DreamsTOPSPEED:
Berkshire NuggetThe Star:
MercurialDaily Record:
MercurialDaily Mail:
Paws For ThoughtD Express:
Paws For ThoughtDaily Mirror:
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