Racecards
20:30 Chester
Astbury Wren Nursery Handicap (Class 5)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 5f 16y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 36510
- Age 2
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer M J Polglase
- Jockey L Fletcher
dwelt, behind, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 7403
- Age 2
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer A Bailey
- Jockey S Hitchcott
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 630
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer W G M Turner
- Jockey C Haddon
with leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
- Form 81
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer E J O'Neill
- Jockey Graham Gibbons
made most until hung right from over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 7622
- Age 2
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer M Blanshard
- Jockey F Sweeney
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 2374
- Age 2
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer E S McMahon
- Jockey R L Moore
dwelt, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 4334
- Age 2
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer N A Callaghan
- Jockey N Callan
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 2766
- Age 2
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer T D Easterby
- Jockey D Allan
with leaders, lost place after 1f, soon outpaced, headway over 1f out, hung right and kept on final furlong
- Form 982341
- Age 2
- Weight 8-2
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer Peter Grayson
- Jockey Dale Gibson
behind, not clear run 2f out and over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
In depth
Verdict
Pickett, Charles Darwin and Garstang are the three for the shortlist in this tricky nursery, and preference is for Pickett, hailing from a stable whose two-year-olds are flying. Off bottom weight Garstang has to be respected, and indicated his well being with a win at Musselburgh last time. He has been progressing well and wasn¿t winning out of turn but he is passed over as he is relatively exposed. Having been highly tried on his first two starts, Charles Darwin showed the benefit of a drop in grade when being narrowly beaten in his next two starts at Doncaster and Ripon. He will be thereabouts. For the selection however we turn to Pickett. This son of Piccolo was unconsidered on his debut at Wolverhampton and finished unplaced but the stable¿s newcomers are rarely given a hard ride and he repaid that kindness when showing considerable improvement to beat the more experienced Charles Darwin next time. He may be improving quicker than the handicapper can keep pace with and Pickett can win again.
Formwatch
Verite 66-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 13l behind Masta Plasta (8-12) at York 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Ellcon (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, was pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Smart Cassie (8-11) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) frm in Jun.
Half Pint Bill 7-1 (8-9) Led far side group, headed over 2f out, soon behind, 15th of 17, 22l behind In Full Cry (9-0) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Pickett 5-1 (9-0) Swerved left start, soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gs in Jun beating Charles Darwin (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Pickett (9-0) at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gs in Jun.
John Claude (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Hot (9-0) at Leicester 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in May.
Myths And Verses 15-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 10l behind Triskaidekaphobia (9-0) at Thirsk 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Garstang 9-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, good headway final furlong, led post, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo sll (6) gf in Jun beating Par Excellence (8-6) by a nk, 8 ran.