July 10 / 20.50 Chester

20.50

Good

Fired Up Tess Handicap (Div II)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 0m 7f 1y
  • Class 5
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Fired Up Tess Handicap (Div II)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

11/4 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 564782

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Gained all four wins over sprint trips, the latest in September 2024; ran quite well over 7f at Catterick (good) in May, though, and nearly exploited this career-low mark at Doncaster (6f, good to firm; second run in cheekpieces) a week ago; due to go back up 3lb; must be considered.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(6)

26th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:40 Ripon

Kings Merchant

10st 0lb

J: Conor Whiteley

T: Philip Kirby

Has found a bit extra in cheekpieces this summer and ended a losing run at Chester (7f, good) in July; went in again at Catterick (6f, good to soft) 18 days ago, narrowly once more, and goes on the shortlist.

3/1

1st

1

(2)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:36 Catterick

Kings Merchant

9st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Philip Kirby

Cheekpieces have helped this summer and he ended a losing run off 2lb lower at Chester in July; yard going well but maybe another furlong is optimal these days, especially round an easy, turning course.

5/1

5th

3

(5)

1st Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:55 Thirsk

Kings Merchant

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Philip Kirby

2-6 over C&D; ended a 17-race losing run at Chester (7f, good) last month and only beaten just over 2l into fourth of eight at Catterick (7f, good to firm) ten days ago; shouldn't have an issue with the return to this trip and shortlisted.

7/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 630024 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Three-time AW winner; 0-10 on turf but has made the frame off today's mark twice in recent weeks (6f/7f, good to firm) and has good draw here; probably won't be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

13

(4)

11th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

15:53 Chester

Giant

8st 9lb

J: Sean D Bowen

T: Ian Williams

Got up late to win a 6f handicap at Brighton last month; disappointed at Catterick on Tuesday and this is tougher from 3lb out of the weights; has been rated much higher in the past though.

14/1

8th

2

(7)

8th Sep 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 6

15:03 Catterick

Giant

9st 13lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Ian Williams

Three Polytrack wins came over 7f-1m and found stamina kicking in late when winning off 3lb lower in a big field over this trip at Brighton recently; will want a similarly good test round here, and not too much rain (since taken out on good to soft ground).

7/2

9/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 84-315 D BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 10st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Habitual front-runner; reeled in after going off a bit too hard over 1m at Brighton recently but won over 7f there (good to firm) two starts ago and has the ideal draw here; could take some catching.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

1

(9)

23rd Sep 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

17:17 Redcar

King Of War

11st 5lb

J: Mr Morgan Tidman

T: Michael Wigham

All six wins have come at this trip, the latest when making all to win well at Brighton (good to firm) in June; took a step back in the right direction when fourth in a Class 4 over that C&D one month ago; interesting on this drop in grade.

11/2

4th

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 6f 210y

Class 4

16:20 Brighton

King Of War

8st 8lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Four C&D wins to his name, the latest in June off 4lb lower; an easy lead would seem unlikely and this opposition may prove too demanding.

16/1

8th

3

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 5

17:48 Epsom

King Of War

10st 1lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Front-runner who is probably best known for his exploits at Brighton; won there (7f, good to firm) in June and was placed from favourable draw at Chester (7f, good) last month but finished well down the field when last in action and might find others better treated.

10/1

Form: 330353 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 10lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Third at Newbury (1m, good) on latest turf start in May and also ran well when filling same position at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) 12 days ago but wide draw makes things awkward here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(6)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 6

17:10 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pearly Squirrel

9st 6lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: David Loughnane

Course regular who won over 7f in March; only 2lb higher and mainly running well in the meantime but, although she has run with credit over this far, there's a suspicion that a shorter trip suits her better.

4/1

4th

4

(9)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Pearly Squirrel

9st 10lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: David Loughnane

Third at Newbury (1m, good) on latest turf start in May and also ran well when filling same position at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) 12 days ago but wide draw makes things awkward here.

7/1

3rd

2

(4)

28th Jun 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

17:37 Wolverhampton (AW)

Pearly Squirrel

9st 8lb

J: William Pyle

T: David Loughnane

C&D win in March off 3lb lower and she ran a better race when third of 12 in a Class 5 over C&D 18 days later; up and down since but she can't be discounted.

11/2

14/1

Form: 5042-

Last run: 346 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced filly, absent since second of four behind well-handicapped rival on nursery debut at Ffos Las (6f, good) just under a year ago; up in trip for stable debut (same owner); well drawn; market helpful.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(1)

27th Sep 2026

Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

16:44 Ffos Las

Yoko

9st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: David Loughnane

Made some good late headway when fourth of 11 in a Yarmouth handicap (7f, good to soft; unraced on slower) four weeks ago and this far is well worth trying; this lightly raced filly enters the reckoning.

5/1

4th

10

(2)

30th Aug 2026

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

16:35 Yarmouth

Yoko

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: David Loughnane

Six-race maiden; not beaten that far when fifth of eight on seasonal/stable debut at Chester (7f, good) last month, but struggled to get competitive at Wolverhampton (7f, AW; first-time hood) last time; no headgear today.

20/1

12/1

Form: 7218-9 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Dual 7f winner last summer (good to firm/AW); made low-key seasonal debut over 6f last month and not ideally drawn here but still quite lightly raced, and that recent outing ought to have brought him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(13)

17th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 6

16:45 Yarmouth

Currahee

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Stuart Williams

Needs to rebound from poor 6f AW run three weeks ago but was fourth over that trip at Newmarket (good to firm) on consecutive starts beforehand and ought to be suited by this return to 7f; too well handicapped to rule out.

8/1

7th

7

(9)

26th Aug 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 5

15:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Currahee

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Stuart Williams

On a good mark on 2025 best and his last two runs have been more encouraging; drawn widest and he will need a bit more if he is to come out on top.

6/1

4th

9

(3)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Newmarket (July)

Currahee

9st 6lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Stuart Williams

Now 1lb lower than for his Chelmsford win (7f, AW) last summer and he showed signs of a revival when fourth of ten over C&D (33-1) two weeks ago; ties in with Rebel Path on that form and he's not ruled out with cheekpieces added.

7/1

Form: 6439-0

Last run: 86 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
Six-race maiden; placed over 7f on soft ground as a 2yo but was always behind on seasonal/handicap debut at Beverley (7.4f, good to soft) in April and will need a much more dynamic performance here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(6)

17th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Catterick

Top Lad

9st 7lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

As with stablemate Star Noir he has claims on his best form, namely a 7f third at Musselburgh (soft) last November; two heavy defeats in handicaps this year and drops back to 5f on a recovery mission.

14/1

7th

7

(4)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Top Lad

9st 5lb

J: Lewis Chalkley

T: Michael & David Easterby

Six-race maiden; placed over 7f on soft ground as a 2yo but was always behind on seasonal/handicap debut at Beverley (7.4f, good to soft) in April and will need a much more dynamic performance here.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 2239-6

Last run: 184 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
1-20 for Julie Camacho, the win gained over 1m on Tapeta in September 2024; makes stable debut from workable mark and with trip/ground suitable but absent since two below-par AW runs in the winter.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

(9)

19th Sep 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 6

20:30 Newcastle (AW)

Triggerman

9st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Patrick Morris

Sole win was at Southwell (1m, AW) two years ago; well handicapped on his old form but he's been tailed off in three runs for new yard this summer and can only be watched.

33/1

8th

8

(7)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:27 Newmarket (July)

Triggerman

8st 9lb

J: Finlay Bassett

T: Patrick Morris

Sole win was on AW in 2024; well handicapped on his old form but he's been tailed off in two runs for new yard this summer and can only be watched; reapplied visor replaces cheekpieces.

40/1

13th

11

(8)

23rd Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

16:53 Southwell (AW)

Triggerman

9st 6lb

J: Harry Burns

T: Patrick Morris

Sole win came over 1m here in 2024; on a useful mark at present but has a question mark about current form, having dropped out on his final start for previous yard and on debut for this one, at Chester 13 days ago.

40/1

Non-runners

El Pinto, Sparkling Pink

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £17.50
Straight Forecast £16.52
Tricast £38.98
Trifecta £56.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Kings Merchant

RP RATINGS:

Giant

SPOTLIGHT:

King Of War

The Star:

Yoko

The Times:

Kings Merchant

Telegraph:

Kings Merchant

Daily Mirror:

Kings Merchant

Daily Record:

Kings Merchant

Daily Mail:

Giant

D Express:

Giant

The Sun:

Giant

NEWMARKET:

King Of War

The Guardian:

King Of War