The Neighsayers - Chester Review

We thought we’d do something different for once and finally get round to doing something we’ve always wanted to do. A festival review… all in all an enjoyable few days at Chester, probably because we spent most of the races just watching and not hiding behind the sofa hoping you get a run…

 Wednesday

13:30 - 6f Handicap

Couple in here to take forward for me, from a race run at an exceptional pace. OLD CHUMS blazed the trail and stayed there, seemed to love it round here, if he can find a less competitive race, or less pace pressure, he’s certain to win and still well handicapped. MACANUDO looked to want 7 here and plenty went wrong for him, drawn wide and held up in rear, not through choice I’d imagine but he’s ended up rattling home near side. Ready to win the right circumstances.

14:05 - Lily Agnes Conditions race

Best horse won here. SERAPHIM ANGEL just looks quick, the Queen Mary awaits here. Would also expect to see stable mate SIR GEOFF MORGAN at Royal Ascot, perhaps up to 6 furlongs but he’s still learning. 

14:35 - 5F 3YO Handicap

Not much to comment on here, obviously DUE FOR LUCK is indeed due some luck but every man and his dog has seen that one. Would like to see BLUE STORM blasted in front, he pinged the lids here then jockey restrained him.

15:05 - Cheshire Oaks

FOREST FAIRY the right winner, probably got Rossa out of trouble here, thought was slightly reactive instead of proactive letting Beeley cover his move. SEAWARD I’d wanna take forward today, she took a nice blow after travelling nicely in front, granted having it her own way. You’d be happy with her off the bridle, head down, tries, just very genuine. Likely to still be able to win a nice handicap somewhere with her.

15:40 - Chester Vase

Horrid scenes around the winner, not really sure I’d want to take many of these forward again. Agenda got it easy and flattered by proximity. Grosvenor Square undoubtedly wants a different test but he was beaten a long way out.

16:10 - 10F Maiden

EBEN ZABEEL the only one I’d take out of here if I’m honest. They’ll find a lovely handicap for this, this will probably get anywhere from 77-80. Fun summer ahead.

16:45 - 7F handicap 

EVOCATIVE SPARK the one to take out of this for me, the proverbial “King of Chester” got a good spin out of this, off the pace from a wide draw. Would have to be going two better down into a 56-75 or something of the sort. METABOLT another that deserves credit, come from even further back than the aforementioned horse. Probably go down a 1lb for that now too.

Thursday

13:30 - 5F Handicap

This was run at a ridiculous pace but only one horse managed to get involved from off the pace, VINTAGE CLARETS. Travelled with plenty of enthusiasm and even had to wait for a gap to come up the rail and found for pressure when it did. Spoke to Quinny about this horse before the race and he had it earmarked for York, nice flat track with plenty of room, can get on board with that. Shame he’s not entered for the 5F race there next week.

14:05 - 6F Maiden

BRETTON WOOD just looked lost at sea round here. 6f probably too sharp anyway and never mind at Chester. When the 7f maidens become available we’ll see him to decent effect, maybe they chance their arm at the Chesham? Slightly less obvious is SIMPLY BLUE never put in the race to win, but will have had a nice education here. Could be a nice price in a small track maiden.

14:35 - 7 1/2F Handicap

Not much to add here, right horses contested the front 3 for me. Would like to see WITNESS STAND dropped to 7 furlongs.

15:05 - Dee Stakes

BRACKEN’S LAUGH probably the best of these for me. CAPULET benefitted from a canny ride however the former did seem to hang into the latter when challenging and that cost him momentum.

15:40 - Ormonde Stakes

Again, not much in here for me. Forget ARREST is a racehorse until September when we’re likelier to get soft ground and ALSAKIB could make into a nice Ebor horse. Pedigree says no but he went right through the line here.

16:10 - 10F Handicap

1st & 2nd were just best positioned here, probably hard for them to reproduce this form. CRYSTAL MARINER returned from a length lay off and travelled okay and kept going to the line, just couldn’t bridge the gap. I’d expect him to step forward from this and win races. 10F handicap Friday 14th June 71-90 I’d expect him to be bang there for this.

16:45 - 10F 3YO Handicap

CONTACTO ready to win again, showed he went on quicker ground but could be slightly better on easier ground. Watch out for him at tracks where they love the hosepipe, which probably doesn’t narrow it down these days…

Friday

Nothing fascinating happened here, where they settled is where they finish, apart from FINN’S CHARM and VICTORIA FALLS. The former looks primed for a big run when he can get back in front, there’s a nice 0-105 worth 100k on the 18th May at Newbury, the OCS handicap stakes. Failing that, there’s an 86-105 on Oaks day at Epsom, worth less than the Newbury race however. The latter returned to action in a very nice way here, just caught in a pocket and couldn’t challenge as she would’ve liked. She can benefit from a large drop in class though and I’d be confident she could win off a career high mark like this.

14:05 - 12F Maiden

MR HAMPSTEAD looked like he wanted more of a test on a galloping track, rather than this tight turning course.

14:35 - 10F Handicap

DREAM HARDER given a stones ride here. Found traffic every which way he went in the short straight here, not saying he’d have won but he’d have finished much closer. Backed up well from the day before and showed he can still win off a mark like this.

15:05 Huxley Stakes

PASSENGER ever so impressive here on reappearance. This was so likeable and although everything went right for him here, I’d use the word smooth to describe his day out. Group 1 company awaits, likely the Prince of Wales. 

15:40 - Chester Cup

ZANNDABAD should’ve won here, just had to sit and suffer, went through them like a knife through butter, just caught out by the track. FALCON EIGHT another that stuck on well after barely raising a leg early.

16:15 - Chester Plate

Not much to comment here, LAW OF THE SEA had everything his way here and should’ve won, went out like a light. No hard luck stories, for once.

16:50 - 12F Apprentice Handicap (D1)

CHILLHI the best of these I think. Just had to sit and suffer and got shuffled right back, not good for the week ahead readers. SOUTHERN VOYAGE travelled lovely here, a nice return to form, just forced slightly wide. Winner in waiting at more conventional tracks.

17:23 - 12F Apprentice Handicap (D2)

Non event here, form be worth nothing going forward…

All in all, a decent 3 days on the roudee, crazy what can happen when you get perfect racing ground.