May 08 / 13.30 Chester

13.30

Good

CAA Stellar Great Cheshire Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £23193
  • 1m 2f 70y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
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CAA Stellar Great Cheshire Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

7/4 (Won)

  • Win: £1.91
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 35-213 D BF

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
In good form on the AW since returning in February, easily justifying short odds at Chelmsford (1m2f) in March; no problem with the return to turf having won over this trip at Haydock (good) last August; can take a hold, but may settle better in this big field and he remains unexposed; a player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

(20)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Respond

9st 12lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Lightly raced 4yo who made it two wins for the year when scoring easily at Chester (10.3f, good) in May then finished second of 16 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) on Oaks day, albeit no match for the highly progressive winner; yard has won three of the last seven runnings and he could be a contender.

12/1

2nd

4

(15)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Respond

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Appeared to act on good to soft last term (unraced on soft); has gone from strength to strength this year, first on AW but most strikingly when returned to turf for a dominant, front-running display as 10-11 favourite in 11-runner race at Chester (1m2f, good); 9lb higher today but highly respected.

11/2

1st

6

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Respond

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

In good form on the AW since returning in February, easily justifying short odds at Chelmsford (1m2f) in March; no problem with the return to turf having won over this trip at Haydock (good) last August; can take a hold, but may settle better in this big field and he remains unexposed; a player.

7/4

6/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 220-03

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Without a win since his second start as a 2yo, but several good efforts since as when beaten a length into third of 24 in the Newbury Spring Cup (1m, good ) last month; Ryan Moore keeps the ride and rain shouldn't be an issue, but the draw could have been kinder.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(12)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Whip Cracker

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

Without a win since his second start as a 2yo, but several good efforts since as when beaten a length into third of 24 in the Newbury Spring Cup (1m, good ) last month; Ryan Moore keeps the ride and rain shouldn't be an issue, but the draw could have been kinder.

6/1

3rd

16

(22)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Newbury

Whip Cracker

9st 1lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Richard Hughes

On a 14-race losing sequence but he was runner-up three times last term, including when beaten a head at Glorious Goodwood (1m1f, good); went off third favourite in a big field at the Curragh on reappearance but didn't give his running; on a retrieval mission with Ryan Moore booked.

12/1

11th

5

(7)

15th Mar 2026

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

16:20 Curragh

Whip Cracker

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Richard Hughes

0-13 since winning in 2023 on his second start but he went close at Goodwood (1m1f, good) last August and again finished second at Yarmouth (1m1f, soft); an interesting runner despite uneven form.

7/1

20/1

  • Place: £6.90

Form: 60150- D

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Twice highly tried after winning a handicap at Newbury (1m2f, good to soft) from 7lb lower in September; still unexposed, but she may need this after six months off and is drawn wide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(13)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Janey Mackers

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: David Menuisier

Twice highly tried after winning a handicap at Newbury (1m2f, good to soft) from 7lb lower in September; still unexposed, but she may need this after six months off and is drawn wide.

20/1

1st

6

(2)

19th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newbury

Janey Mackers

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Menuisier

Potential Oaks candidate at the start of the year but her Listed sixth (soft) in June has been the best she can manage from three starts; heavy defeat on her handicap debut (also Goodwood, 1m2f, good) in July; risks attached but she still needs a market check with Rossa Ryan taking over.

20/1

Form: 1091-5 C

Last run: 41 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Has a fine strike-rate on turf (4-8) including a win at this three-day meeting (7.6f, good) a year ago; would have gone closer with a clearer run when fifth of 13 in the Rosebery at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on his reappearance (Respond third); still open to improvement and rain wouldn't be a problem; major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

El Burhan

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Has a fine strike-rate on turf (4-8) including a win at this three-day meeting (7.6f, good) a year ago; would have gone closer with a clearer run when fifth of 13 in the Rosebery at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on his reappearance (Respond third); still open to improvement and rain wouldn't be a problem; major player.

4/1

5th

4

(11)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

El Burhan

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: George Boughey

Won on reappearance at Chester (7.5f, good) last May and tapped back into that promise for a clearcut win at Ayr (1m2f, good to soft) in September; up 6lb for this first run since and it's also his AW debut, but he probably retains potential.

5/1

18/1

Form: 44-177 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Twice held off 1lb higher since making a successful return from eight months off at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February, including when behind two of these in the Rosebery; needs a resurgence and could probably do without the ground easing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(5)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Sandown

Triple Double A

10st 1lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Hugo Palmer

Scored off current mark on reappearance (1m2f, AW; in February) but hasn't been in the same form since, latterly back on turf, disappointing favourite returned to 1m most recently.

13/2

7th

5

(9)

11th Jun 2026

Good

1m 0f 75y

Class 4

15:42 Nottingham

Triple Double A

9st 7lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Hugo Palmer

Reeled off a fast-ground 1m hat-trick last spring; better than ever when landing a 1m2f handicap at Newcastle on his seasonal return in February; no further progress and he drops back to 1m on a recovery mission; today's drop in grade will suit.

6/1

5th

13

(3)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Triple Double A

8st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Hugo Palmer

Twice held off 1lb higher since making a successful return from eight months off at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in February, including when behind two of these in the Rosebery; needs a resurgence and could probably do without the ground easing.

18/1

18/1

Form: 3-1557

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 5lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All four wins have come over 7f/1m on the AW, the latest in February; back off the same mark as for that success, but she is 0-10 on turf and has never attempted this far before.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(13)

26th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

18:18 Newcastle (AW)

Callianassa

10st 2lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Brian Ellison

Three-time C&D winner, including this race last year, who ran well when seventh of 24 in the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot last week; she's below her last winning mark and has strong claims back down in grade.

4/1

7th

21

(15)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:35 Ascot

Callianassa

8st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Brian Ellison

All four wins have come over 7f/1m on the AW, the latest in February; now 2lb lower than for that success, but she took her turf record to 0-11 when only sixth of 11 at Chester (extended 1m2f) last time; this is more her trip but she's still hard to make a case for.

80/1

6th

12

(10)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Callianassa

8st 5lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Brian Ellison

All four wins have come over 7f/1m on the AW, the latest in February; back off the same mark as for that success, but she is 0-10 on turf and has never attempted this far before.

18/1

Form: 3224-7 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 8st 13lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come on the AW at Newcastle (1m/1m2f) and was far from disgraced on his return in the Easter Classic there (1m2f) five weeks ago; makes his turf debut in a competitive race, albeit stall 1 has taken three of the last eight runnings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

11

(8)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 2

14:39 York

Bragbor

8st 11lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Went close on stable debut at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) last November and he's 3lb lower here; however, his form has gone the wrong way since, particularly of late on his first two turf starts.

25/1

18th

13

(3)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Bragbor

9st 1lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

He made his debut only as a 4yo but it was a winning one at Newcastle (1m); subsequently useful form on AW included another narrow win at that venue (1m2f) in August for George Scott and he went mighty close over latter C&D on stable debut in November; niggled along at various stages when seventh on his turf debut (10.5f) last month and some guesswork is involved as to whether this test will bring out the best in him.

22/1

7th

9

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Bragbor

8st 13lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Richard & Peter Fahey

Both wins have come on the AW at Newcastle (1m/1m2f) and was far from disgraced on his return in the Easter Classic there (1m2f) five weeks ago; makes his turf debut in a competitive race, albeit stall 1 has taken three of the last eight runnings.

11/1

Form: /2001- CD

Last run: 267 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
All four wins at around this trip including one here (soft) in the summer of 2023; looked unlucky when beaten a head in this race off 3lb lower on his reappearance a year ago; won't mind what the weather does, but stall 14 isn't ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

10

(17)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:45 York

Auld Toon Loon

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Back to form with close third of six at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) in May; however, only seventh of 16 at Epsom (1m2f, good to soft) last time on ground he should have handled; can be slowly away; others preferred.

33/1

7th

11

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Auld Toon Loon

8st 13lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Tom Dascombe

Failed to figure from the widest draw behind Respond at Chester (went well there previously) on reappearance but a close third of six when favourite at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) 11 days ago; with a good soft-ground record too, he could be a major player.

12/1

3rd

1

(1)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:25 Windsor

Auld Toon Loon

9st 11lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Ended his 2025 campaign with a half-length success in Class 2 event over C&D (good to firm) and is only 2lb higher back here; possibilities with Chester reappearance under his belt.

5/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 13555- D

Last run: 258 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Highly tried after making a winning reappearance at Nottingham (1m2f, good) a year ago; proven fresh, but hard to know how well treated he is for this return to handicap company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:22 Sandown

Great David

10st 1lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

Smart efforts in defeat at Listed/Group 3 level last season but hasn't come close to reproducing that form returned to handicaps this season, including with cheekpieces added last time; being eased another 3lb can only help but leap of faith needed.

20/1

11th

8

(13)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Great David

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: James Tate

Won on soft as 2yo; reappearance win last April saw him pitched afterwards into Listed and Group events, in which he was initially on the premises but his handicap mark shot up as a result; ninth of 12 to Respond at Chester wasn't a greatly auspicious return to handicap company on reappearance this season and connections now reach for headgear.

33/1

9th

2

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Great David

9st 11lb

J: James Doyle

T: James Tate

Highly tried after making a winning reappearance at Nottingham (1m2f, good) a year ago; proven fresh, but hard to know how well treated he is for this return to handicap company.

12/1

33/1

Form: 190667

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced on turf; out of the frame in five starts since winning at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in January; has plenty to prove over this trip back on grass and is 3lb out of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(6)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Echalar

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Ran his best race for this yard when keeping on for third in a C&D handicap 19 days ago; now has something to build on and Billy Loughnane a positive booking for the stable.

4/1

3rd

1

(3)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 5

19:35 Chepstow

Echalar

9st 9lb

J: Robert Dunne

T: Ian Williams

Lightly raced on turf; out of the frame in six starts since winning at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in January; takes a drop in grade and as low in the weights as he's ever been; not out of this.

8/1

10th

14

(5)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Echalar

8st 2lb

J: Duran Fentiman

T: Ian Williams

Lightly raced on turf; out of the frame in five starts since winning at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in January; has plenty to prove over this trip back on grass and is 3lb out of the weights.

33/1

50/1

Form: 27-500

Last run: 62 days

W: 8st 11lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Winner in France and Ireland, but has beaten a total of one rival in four starts on the AW since joining this yard; down another 3lb, but hard to warm to unless the market suggests otherwise; stable also runs Echalar; non-runner 4.10 Chester Thursday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

10

(8)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Bravais

8st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Winner in France and Ireland, but has beaten a total of one rival in four starts on the AW since joining this yard; down another 3lb, but hard to warm to unless the market suggests otherwise; stable also runs Echalar; non-runner 4.10 Chester Thursday.

50/1

15

(14)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 2

16:10 Newcastle (AW)

Bravais

8st 8lb

T: Ian Williams

100/1

Non-runners

Norwalk Havoc, Savvy Victory, Clouds Hill

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.50
Straight Forecast £9.79
Tricast £161.99
Trifecta £165.10

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Respond

SPOTLIGHT:

El Burhan

The Star:

Clouds Hill

POSTDATA:

Triple Double A

TOPSPEED:

Janey Mackers

D Express:

Great David

NEWMARKET:

Savvy Victory

LAMBOURN:

Respond

The Times:

Respond

Telegraph:

Respond

The Guardian:

Respond

The Sun:

Respond

Daily Record:

Clouds Hill

Daily Mail:

El Burhan

Daily Mirror:

El Burhan