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

4th

4

(3)

29th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 99y

Class 1

18:30 Windsor

Respond

9st 7lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Just ahead of Warrant Holder in a York handicap last time when neither were at their best; lightly raced 4yo with two 1m2f handicap wins to his name this season and, when second on good to soft at Epsom, he beat all bar a Group horse; stays this far.

10/1

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

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

1st

4

(4)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Whip Cracker

9st 6lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Richard Hughes

0-16 on turf but usually runs his race; runner-up at this track (10.5f, good) when last seen in May; may find this on the sharp side having not been seen in races less than 1m since his juvenile days.

7/1

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

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

3

(6)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Janey Mackers

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: David Menuisier

Lightly raced 4yo who has an up-and-down profile but won a handicap at Newbury (1m2f, good to soft) last September and fared best of those to come from off the pace when third on her reappearance at Chester (10.3f, good) in May; returns from another break and slow ground would boost her claims.

11/1

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

8th

1

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 2

18:15 Hamilton

El Burhan

10st 0lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: George Boughey

Four-time turf winner at up to 1m2f (good/good to soft), latest at Ayr last September; best of three runs this season when third at Southwell last time (1m3f); quite interesting on first try at 1m4f.

7/1

3rd

3

(6)

6th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 2

20:26 Southwell (AW)

El Burhan

9st 7lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Boughey

Has won four races and still looks to be improving; ran better than it looked when fifth of 13 in the Rosebery on his reappearance at Kempton (1m3f, Polytrack) in March and looked in need of a return to further when fourth of 11 at Chester (1m2f, good) in May; off three months, but has won fresh; high on list.

6/1

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

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

4th

3

(2)

30th Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 23y

Class 5

15:25 Yarmouth

Triple Double A

9st 9lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Hugo Palmer

Generally disappointing since winning off 4lb higher on AW in February but was denied a clear run when midfield in competitive Haydock handicap (1m, good) three weeks ago and enters calculations in this lower grade.

7/1

6th

14

(3)

8th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 212y

Class 3

16:40 Haydock

Triple Double A

8st 11lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: Hugo Palmer

Unplaced last five starts, not really finishing his races; carries obvious risks but his three turf wins came over 1m on good to firm ground and he now returns after a wind operation; he's well handicapped if the surgery has had a positive effect.

16/1

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

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

8th

13

(10)

21st Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

17:20 York

Callianassa

8st 8lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Brian Ellison

She's 5lb lower than when winning at Newcastle (1m, AW) in February and when running well at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) in June; she's 0-12 on turf and unproven at this trip, and she's been below par at favourite course Newcastle on her last two starts (1m).

50/1

6th

6

(12)

25th Jul 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:00 Newcastle (AW)

Callianassa

9st 10lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Brian Ellison

Took this in 2025 and also scored over C&D in February; not at her best when 11th over C&D last time but she's the sort to bounce back.

14/1

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

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

4th

1

(4)

13th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

19:41 Windsor

Auld Toon Loon

10st 2lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Tom Dascombe

Close third over C&D in May since when he's been up against it in Class 2s won by a Group horse and then the John Smith's Cup, in which he ran perfectly well for a 66-1 chance; very capable of a big show, though the cheekpieces are new and so too is Donagh Murphy claiming 7lb.

8/1

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

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

1st

7

(5)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 43y

Class 5

14:00 Doncaster

Echalar

9st 4lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Ian Williams

Kickstarted 2026 with breakthrough victory at Wolverhampton (7f) in January for Jane Chapple-Hyam; in decent form since for current yard until only seventh in 1m2f handicap at Chester 13 days ago; needs to get back on track.

10/1

7th

6

(8)

2nd Aug 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

16:52 Chester

Echalar

9st 11lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

AW winner over 7f for previous yard off 3lb higher; signs of getting it together for Ian Williams, albeit those were Class 5 handicaps at Chepstow and over 1m; down 1lb and, if he can see out the trip, wouldn't be without hope.

10/1

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

8th

3

(7)

8th Aug 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Ayr

Bravais

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Successful in France and Ireland; impossible to make a case on his five runs for Ian Williams but he'll probably come good again at some point and any rain wouldn't harm his cause.

20/1

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

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