CHESTER

2:45 TOTESPORT.COM CHESTER CUP HERITAGE HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (4yo+) 2m2½f

SHIPMASTER 9-13 ~ Won the Group 2 Sagaro Stakes last time out and Alan Kings gelding has been progressing well this year. This trip looks likely to suit given how well he stayed on over 2 miles and on top form he looks reasonably handicapped on a mark of 101. However he is a better horse when able to get his toe into the ground and he may get trapped out wide from his draw.

SENTRY DUTY 9-10 ~ Trainer does well with his flat horses and this French import won a 1m6f handicap at Newmarket last season. The trip is an unknown but given how well the horse stayed on that day it shouldn’t be a problem. The drying ground appears to be important to the horse so conditions appear to have swung his way. He is 8lbs higher than when winning his Newmarket handicap but he is a small individual who should handle the tight bends so not without a chance.

WING COLLAR 9-6 ~ Improved considerably last year and managed to finish 5th in the Ebor. Versatile regarding ground so that shouldn’t be a concern and the cheekpieces are back on today after an encouraging reappearance at Ripon last time out. However he was outpaced over 2 miles when last running at Chester and he has looked lacking in tactical pace so could struggle round Chester to get into a good position. Still he has to be respected given he has returned in decent form and he proved last year he is more than capable.

FAIR ALONG 9-4 ~ 2nd in this race last year and 3rd in the Cesarewitch so a more than capable cross code performer. Phillip Hobbs’ 6yo gelding appeared to be as good as ever over jumps this season and can be forgiven his last run at Punchestown when a bad error 4 out knocked the stuffing out of him. He has been raised 10lbs since this race last year but it was more than deserved and he should still be well enough handicapped to run well. The wide draw didn’t appear to inconvenience him too much in last years renewal and he has to have a chance of entering the picture.

KASTHARI 9-4 ~ 9yo grey who managed to finish 6th in last seasons Cesarewitch but he has around 10 lengths to find with Fair Along and after a disappointing reappearance he is passed over.

BULWARK 9-4 ~ Difficult horse to ride with Kerrin McEvoy appearing to be the only jockey who can get the best out of the son of Montjeu. All the horses 5 wins have come with the Australian in the saddle and he rides the favourite Double Banded instead. Bulwark has run in the race before, finishing 6th two years ago from a car park draw, but he was in better form then and he struggled in two handicaps last season. He travels well but can find precious little and he needs to bounce back from a disappointing run over hurdles last time out. On a decent mark and possesses plenty of ability but there are plenty of reasons to oppose him.

GREENWICH MEANTIME 9-3 ~ In the 2006 renewal of this race he was forced to come round the field after being stuck out wide from his bad draw. He ran on to finish 3rd in a race that was run at no more than a fair pace. Last year though the race was run at a furious pace and it opened up the race enabling the horse to get a clearer run through the pack. Clearly goes well in this race and is only 1lb higher in the handicap than last year. The break shouldn’t be a concern either as he has winning form when fresh, including when winning this race last year. Solid claims for his shrewd yard and he is more than capable of overcoming his drawn in stall 10.

HALLA SAN 9-2 ~ Bred to improve with age and the Richard Fahey trained 6yo looked to be a horse to follow at the beginning of last season. After a decent 2nd, in a no more than average 0-100 handicap at Ripon, he struggled for the rest of the season. His three subsequent efforts were too bad to be true though and he has bounced back to form over hurdles recently. So not without a chance if transferring his recent hurdles form to the flat and he had shown at Ripon he can run well off this mark. This trip may stretch his stamina but he looks sure to handle the track and he is well drawn.

BLACK ROCK 9-2 ~ Finished 3rd in a very hot maiden on his first run of the season last year and he made up into a progressive middle distance performer. This is a sizeable step up in trip though and he did have Phillip Robinson to thank for a couple of inspired front running rides when winning two races at the back end of last season. Unlikely that he’ll be able to lead again from stall 15 and he could be trapped wide if attempting to lead from the front. Irish St Leger entry is eyecatching but it does also suggest he is likely to have other races as a priority so he could need the run after 8 months off the track. A potential improver but there is enough to suggest he is worth taking on first time out in this competitive handicap.

INCHNADAMPH 9-0 ~ Great record in the Cesarewitch but he has failed to reproduce the same form outside of that race. He didn’t need to be at his best to win at Doncaster on his last start of last season and he was well beaten behind Double Banded on his seasonal reappearance. Sure to come on for that run but not hard to look elsewhere.

SOM TALA 8-12 ~ Beaten with some ease by Greenwich Meantime and Fair Along in last years renewal of this race. Hard to see how he could reverse the form with that pair given his progression has levelled off and Mick Channons colt looks exposed. Fit from a spin on the all weather and sure to run his race but he should fine at least a couple too good at the finish.

FULL HOUSE 8-12 ~ Needs a decent surface so the recent weather has turned conditions in his favour. Winner of the Ascot Stakes, over 2½ miles at Royal Ascot last year so the trip isn’t a concern but he struggled in two turf handicaps since. The handicapper may have his card marked but that is far from certain. He ran an encouraging prep race over timber so chance he can bounce back to form on the flat and he is slowly dropping down the handicap. Drawn in stall 1 it might give him a sizeable advantage if getting out well and deciding to lead but if held up back on the rail he could find plenty of trouble in-running.

ODIHAM 8-11 ~ 8th and well beaten in this race last year but he has shown very little for his new trainer in 5 runs. Well beaten behind Double Banded when switched back to turf last time out and not hard to look elsewhere.

TILT 8-10 ~ Usually struggles to go the pace in his races before staying on well. Probably benefited from not getting too detached last time out though as the race was run at a slow pace. The bare form puts him in with a great chance and he looks sure to stay the trip. Good chance that over 2m2f he’ll be staying on when others have cried enough but given his lack of tactical pace he will need plenty of luck in-running. However there are few more competent jockeys than Johnny Murtagh so he could be thrust into a prominent position so to try to overcome this. Sure to run his race but his poor win record is testament to the fact that he can prove a tricky ride.

HIGHLAND LEGACY 8-10 ~ Michael Bells progressive 4yo is a deserved favourite given his fine win on his seasonal reappearance at Ripon. The step up to 2 miles was the making of the colt and the extra 2½ furlongs is sure to be well within his compass. He had a few niggling problems last year but improved as the season went on and he won two decent handicaps. He has continued on the upgrade this season and he won a good handicap for the grade last time out. The 2nd Bogside Theatre had previously run well behind Shipmaster in a decent Listed race at Nottingham but he destroyed him by some 8-9 lengths before sharply being eased down in the final strides. He would probably prefer some cut in the ground but he has won on fast ground before and the ground as it is should be fine. He is well drawn so the only possible negative is the track as the horse can hang which won’t help his jockey. However everything else is in the colts favour and he is sure to be a lot better than a 91 rated performer.

MISSOULA 8-8 ~ The former Mark Tompkins mare improved for the step up to 2 miles last season but her performance when winning at York came from seemingly nowhere as she routed a decent handicap field. Raised 12lbs for that win she has to be respected if the form of that race can be taken at face value. However this is far tougher and she has left her previous trainer to go jumping for Suzy Smith. Only made one start over timber which should mean the mare is fit for today. Not without chances from a reasonable draw and still unexposed but impression is her York win flattered her somewhat and she’ll struggle off her current mark but that could prove wide of the mark.

DOUBLE BANDED 8-8 ~ Seems to get better the further the he goes and he won his first try over 2 miles at Newmarket with impressive ease. He made a more than encouraging reappearance when winning a decent handicap at Nottingham (Tilt 2nd) but he sweated up badly and may have needed the run. He definitely has more scope than Tilt and should improve for a longer trip and a stronger pace. Unpenalised for that win, he is a versatile sort regarding ground so another horse that appears to have everything in his favour.

CONCLUSION

Not a race stacked with pacesetters but the nature of the race might mean a couple of jockeys drawn near the rail may decide to go hell for leather so to grab the lead at the rail. As John Egan showed with Admiral this can be a sizeable advantage. Full House would be a serious threat if Jimmy Fortune decides to take advantage of his draw in stall 1. However he is a hold up horse are there are doubts that he’ll prove quick enough to stop another horse from a wider draw cutting him up and taking his advantage.

Last years 1st and 2nd Greenwich Meantime and Fair Along have to be respected. There have been multiple winners of this race in the past and Greenwich Meantime has run two fine races in this event in the last two years. He is sure to run his race but suspicion things dropped his way last year with the fast pace stringing out the runners and producing less trouble in running. He will need plenty of luck again to win from his draw and the same can be said of Fair Along. However given his running style he is likely to race closer to the pace and has a fine jock in Ryan Moore. He is a more attractive each way price and he has looked just as good this year so is sure to run his race.

Of the rest Missoula would be very interesting if building on her York demolition job at the end of last season. However she doesn’t have the scope of her more fancied rivals Highland Legacy and Double Banded. Double Banded appears to be the more straight forward individual but slight preference is for the more quirky Highland Legacy. That’s due to the horse having shown more ability and having more scope for further improvement. I’m convinced he has the potential to be running in pattern company before the end of the season so would have to improve some 10lbs but that is more than likely in my eyes given the ease of his last victory in good company. From his favourable draw he could track the leaders, stay out of trouble and deliver his challenge round the final bend.

2pt WIN – HIGHLAND LEGACY @ 5.3
1pt PLACE – FAIR ALONG @ 4.3

RESULT

HIGHLAND LEGACY 5th = -2pts
FAIR ALONG 9th = -1pt