raced wide close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead when hung left entering final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up in rear, headway when short of room entering final furlong, rasn on, just failed
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on
keen close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
Dr Marwan Koukash likes nothing better than to have a winner at Chester. He's already had a profitable couple of days and owns four of the 10 runners in this opener. Last year's winner KYLLACHY STAR has the best recent form having finished second in the Spring Mile at Doncaster on his reappearance and he's 3lb lower than 12 months ago, meaning last year's second Pintura is 2lb worse off. Richard Fahey's six-year-old can take the honours again though the Musley Bank handler also has recent Doncaster winner She's A Character in the line-up. A high draw may do for the Hanagan-ridden mare however. Fathsta comes out of stall eight but is starting to look well handicapped and a case can also be made for the consistent Dubai Dynamo and Irish raider Jamesie.
Louis The Pious 5-2fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort inside final furlong, ran on, not pace to challenge leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sirius Prospect (8-11) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sep.
Light From Mars 14-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, weakened 2f out, 18th of 22, 18l behind Brae Hill (9-1) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Pintura 14-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, short lived effort over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, 13th of 22, 21l behind Captain Bertie (8-7) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Apr.
Kyllachy Star 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 22, 1 3/4l behind Norse Blues (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Jamesie (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Soon chased leaders, headway 2f out, no impression and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Maarek (10-0) at Naas 6f hcp gd in Apr.
Grissom (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Raced on outside, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, never any chance, 11th of 17, 19l behind Seal Rock (9-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Apr.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Dwelt in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Powerful Presence (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Dubai Dynamo 16-1 (8-8) Behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Farhh (9-2) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
She's A Character 8-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Doncaster 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Apr beating Bella Noir (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Fathsta (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Behind far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 13th of 24, 6l behind Maarek (9-8) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gs.
