Racecards
16:05 Chester
Halliwell Jones Bmw Mile Handicap (Class 3)
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 7f 122y
- Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £14,500 added
- Form 72-4100
- Age 4
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 95
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, headed post
- Form 6119-09
- Age 5
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Rae Guest
- Jockey Kieren Fox
behind, outpaced 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace on outside final furlong, never on terms
- Form 311122
- Age 5
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 89
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
mid-division on outside, chased leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression
- Form 0-67035
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey T Hamilton
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong to lead post
- Form 193183
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
tracked leaders, challenged over 1f out, ridden and every chance insde final furlong, no extra towards finish
- Form 11-0232
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 88
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R L Moore
led, switched right after 1f, headed after 2f, tracked leader, ridden to lead narrowly again 1f out, soon headed, no extra final 100 yards
- Form 1770-69
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Official Rating 87
towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 220605
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer P T Midgley
- Jockey Tony Culhane
held up in rear, still last 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
- Form 5-16118
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer W R Swinburn
- Jockey S W Kelly
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
- Form 149-707
- Age 6
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer N Bycroft
- Jockey S J Drowne
tracked leaders, lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 054176
- Age 6
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer A Bailey
- Jockey Natasha Eaton
chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 829190
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 88
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
With low draws favoured, OPUS MAXIMUS can get the better of Internationaldebut and Academy Blues. Mark Johnston's gelding ran well enough last time to suggest he remains competitively handicapped and his last run here resulted in victory over this trip. He'll be handily positioned on the inside and can strike for home successfully when they turn in. Internationaldebut has a couple of rock-solid handicap runs to his name this term, including when second at York in a better race recently. He's gone well enough in the past at this track to think he has what it takes to go close, particularly if there's a strong pace to chase. Academy Blues is up 3lbs following a head defeat over a mile here but that rise may not stop him going close, especially with the drop to seven expected to suit and he completes our shortlist. Of the remainer Ithinkbest looks well treated but a sharp seven furlongs may not suit and from a wide draw we're happy to oppose him, as we are Maid In Heaven who was keen at Newmarket and who tackles her elders for the first time. Fellow filly Glen Molly is thought capable of going close off this rating but conditions may be against her this time while Imprimis Tagula may just be in the handicapper's pocket for now and with Snow Bay disappointing recently this looks best left to Opus Maximus.
Formwatch
Brae Hill (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Raced center, in rear, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on, never near leaders, 11th of 19, 5l behind St Moritz (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Jeninsky (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 15, 7l behind Crown Choice (9-3) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Academy Blues (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Autumn Blades (9-6) at Chester 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May.
Kyllachy Star 8-1 (9-8) Held up in last pair, ridden along over 2f out, no real progress until made some late headway inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Ginger Jack (8-8) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 3f out, soon under pressure, stayed on same pace, never able to challenge, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Dajen (8-2) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Ithinkbest 4-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Capponi (9-5) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Glen Molly (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Chased leader centre, led that group 2f out until inside final furlong, no impression, 9th of 21, 4l behind Castles In The Air (9-0) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, switched right and effort over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 2l behind Hotham (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Maid In Heaven (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) In touch, short of room and lost place over 4f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Folly Bridge (9-2) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Snow Bay 9-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and hard pressed over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Charlie Cool (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Shotley Mac 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, raced stands side, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 12l behind Camerooney (8-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Soon tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 8, 4l behind Piazza San Pietro (9-3) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Led until over 2f out, weakened quickly, eased final furlong, tailed off, last of 10, 38l behind Skyfire (8-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jul.
Flowing Cape (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Behind stands side, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 7th of 17, 4l behind Rosko (9-3) at Ascot 7f ladys hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Lucky Dan (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, behind, headway under pressure on inside over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Ryan Style (9-1) at Chester 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.