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

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

4th

3

(7)

22nd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 6y

Class 6

15:10 Catterick

Kings Merchant

9st 13lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

Won his first race since September 2024 when scoring at Chester last time (7f, good; third run in cheekpieces, runner-up third there the next day); up 3lb; goes well on fast ground; a possible.

11/4

1st

5

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Kings Merchant

9st 9lb

J: Dale Swift

T: Philip Kirby

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.

11/4

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

7

(16)

23rd Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 215y

Class 2

15:50 Brighton

Giant

8st 12lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

On a good mark and this is weaker than the races he has contested on his last three starts; a well-run 6f shouldn't be a problem and he is a key player despite his wide stall.

14/1

7th

9

(4)

5th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 216y

Class 4

15:30 Brighton

Giant

8st 13lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Ian Williams

Three-time AW winner who has made the frame four times on turf this summer (6f-7.6f); disappointed on latest outing, having been restless in the stalls, but his current mark is workable and he'll be fine over today's trip.

10/1

8th

7

(4)

25th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 4

14:28 Chester

Giant

9st 2lb

J: David Probert

T: Ian Williams

Three-time AW winner who is 0-12 on turf but was very competitive in his last two races here, beaten a short head (7f) and then faring best of those who chased a strong pace two weeks ago (C&D); firmly in the mix.

5/1

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

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

11th

12

(8)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ascot

King Of War

9st 4lb

J: J F Egan

T: Michael Wigham

Likes to get on with it and he registered the latest of his six wins when making all in five-runner Brighton handicap (7f, good to firm) last month; went off too quickly next time but his third at Chester was a solid effort two weeks ago; same mark and this is tougher, though.

16/1

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

9th

9

(6)

30th Jul 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

20:42 Wolverhampton (AW)

Yoko

9st 8lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Five-race maiden; beaten 2l when second of four at Ffos Las (6f, good) last summer on her final start for David Evans; held on her stable debut at Chester (7f) last time but that was her first start for 346 days and she may take a step forward now down in grade; hood applied for her AW debut.

14/1

5th

9

(3)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Yoko

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

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.

14/1

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

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

4th

8

(5)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newmarket (July)

Currahee

9st 4lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Stuart Williams

Dual 7f winner last summer (good to firm/AW) but he's been well held in both runs this season including over C&D; now back on his last winning mark but he needs to turn things around.

20/1

6th

3

(8)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Currahee

9st 12lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Stuart Williams

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.

12/1

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

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

8th

2

(6)

10th Jul 2026

Good

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

20:50 Chester

Triggerman

10st 0lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Patrick Morris

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.

12/1

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