Racecards
16:00 Chester
vigiagroup.com Handicap (Class 4)
- 13 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f 75y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 417006
- Age 6
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey S W Kelly
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, running on when not clear run towards finish
- Form 713818
- Age 5
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer D Nicholls
- Jockey Adrian Nicholls
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on nearest at finish
- Form 73-0098
- Age 7
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer J D Bethell
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 442144
- Age 9
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer E J Alston
- Jockey Willie Supple
behind, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never dangerous
- Form U00441
- Age 6
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 74
- Trainer R A Fahey
- Jockey Dale Gibson
in touch, ridden over 3f out, ran on inside final furlong
- Form 123-745
- Age 8
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer B J Llewellyn
- Jockey F Norton
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden when edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 0-24017
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer M & D Easterby
- Jockey N Callan
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon not much room and hampered
- Form 43-7544
- Age 4
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey P Makin
keen, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, every chance inside final furlong, staying on when hampered towards finish
- Form 860331
- Age 5
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 69
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey J P Spencer
held up, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, not clear run and switched right again inside final furlong, running on when hampered towards finish
Low Cloud
12- Form 09-7546
- Age 5
- Weight 8-9
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey R Mullen
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 0220-50
- Age 6
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey N Chalmers
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 60-4905
- Age 4
- Weight 8-2
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer A C Whillans
- Jockey M Halford
chased leader, every chance 2f out, ridden when rider dropped rein over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong, weakened when hampered towards finish
- Form 800543
- Age 6
- Weight 8-0
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer R Johnson
- Jockey D Kinsella
behind, not clear run over 1f out, staying on when not clear run well inside final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Low Cloud, Silverhay, Oldenway, Frontier and Intricate Web were all considered here, but the nod went to Low Cloud. Rani Two is well weighted at best, but has not won since September 2003, while Low Cloud was fourth in this race last year from a nine-pounds higher mark, with Rani Two, who is now three pounds worse off, a head behind him. That points us to Low Cloud, who is reasonably berthed in stall seven. Silverhay is now back to near a winning mark and the step up in trip could well suit, so he is respected. Frontier is also a course and distance winner that is entitled to go well, while a four-pounds rise for a recent success should not stop the course winner Oldenway running well for connections that won this last year. Intricate Web is another that is on a winning mark, so has to be considered, while Stretton, who wins in his turn, is back to last summer's winning mark. With Lucayan Dancer marginally better off for having finished just ahead of Oldenway here last time, he is another to warrant some consideration, as is Compton Drake, who is two pounds below a winning mark. However, for the selection, we will nominate Low Cloud.
Formwatch
Compton Drake 8-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, no impression, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Misty Dancer (8-10) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Lucayan Dancer 6-1 (9-11) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, soon hampered, 8th of 12, 7l behind Iffy (8-12) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Stretton (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 13, 14l behind Dancer's Serenade (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Intricate Web (IRE) 11-4fav (10-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Namat (9-11) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Oldenway 13-8fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led 6f out, driven along over 2f out, ridden and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Night Sight (8-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Frontier 11-1 (9-2) Pressed leader and clear of rest, hard driven 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 6l behind Whitsbury Cross (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Mezuzah 5-2fav (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 9l behind Dark Charm (9-5) at Hamilton 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Silverhay 2-1fav (9-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 4l behind Bollin Edward (8-13) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
El Chaparral (IRE) 5-2 (9-9) Held up, headway on inside 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Jun beating Mi Odds (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Low Cloud 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden, effort over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 6th of 12, 2l behind Along The Nile (8-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Rani Two 20-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no headway, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 16l behind Zamboozle (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Woolly Back (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) In touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 2l behind Lobengula (7-13) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Compton Dragon (USA) 7-1 (10-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Mister Arjay (10-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f amt hcp (5) gd in Jun.