Racecards
17:10 Chester
Bollinger Champagne Challenge Series Amateur Handicap (Class 5)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f 66y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 4/26007-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer K A Ryan
- Jockey Mr E Whillans
led after 1f, headed over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 434527
- Age 5
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey Mr P Collington
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, led 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
- Form 5-74131
- Age 4
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer K G Reveley
- Jockey Mr J Reveley
led 1f, prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 6891-43
- Age 6
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer A Bailey
- Jockey Mr S Walker
held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, ridden when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
- Form 079/050
- Age 9
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 60
- Trainer V Smith
- Jockey Mr R H Fowler
always towards rear
Prelude
6- Form 390862
- Age 4
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 55
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey D Swift
keen, tracked leaders, led over 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
- Form 80-4834
- Age 5
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 53
- Trainer G A Ham
- Jockey Mr T J O'Brien
in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 068560
- Age 6
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 53
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey Mr C Davies
slowly into stride, mid-division, lost place 6f out, soon behind
- Form 8069-87
- Age 8
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 51
- Trainer J R Holt
- Jockey Mr C Glenister
keen, tracked leaders, weakened over 4f out
Verdict
Let It Be can land the finale with Scottish River and Merrymaker the dangers. A huge weight differential could be the difference between success and failure and Let It Be, who is in receipt of well over a stone from the topweight, should be up to this. He travelled supremely at Haydock over 1m6f but there was plenty of pace in his finish and he should not be discounted from following up. Scottish River has been a real moneyspinner for connections this term. Lee Newnes is a capable rider and he should go close under optimum conditions. Merrymaker was disappointing on his most recent outing at Haydock. He is watched in the market for any positive signs. Petrula is better known under National Hunt rules and is probably here for a pipe-opener this afternoon. Golden Boot was third in a desperately poor race at Hamilton earlier in the week and is opposed. Kez was once a useful conveyance for amateur riders but he would probably need much more rain to get competitive. Let It Be secures our vote in the nightcap.
Formwatch
Petrula 16-1 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 20, 4l behind Go Tech (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp (C2) gd in Oct.
Merrymaker 7-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway to track leaders over 4f out, ridden, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Estepona (9-11) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gd.
Let It Be 7-2jt-fav (9-0) Led early, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard ridden and under pressure final furlong, driven out, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Greenwich Meantime (9-1) by a nk, 9 ran.
Golden Boot 10-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Kyle of Lochalsh (8-12) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (5) gf.
Kez 33-1 (10-0) Always in rear division, 10th of 11, 19l behind Red River Rebel (9-4) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Prelude 6-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Gallery Breeze (9-8) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (4) gs.
Milk And Sultana 12-1 (10-0) Tracked clear leader after 3f, led 3f out, headed inside final 2f and soon weakened, 4th of 12, 7l behind Scottish River (11-7) at Windsor 1m 4f amt hcp (5) gf.
Giunchiglio 20-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 20, 8l behind Otago (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Active Account (USA) 16-1 (10-8) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 5l behind Successor (10-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) sft in Jul.
Scottish River (USA) 8-1 (11-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, steady headway from 4f out, led inside final 2f, driven out, won at Windsor 1m 4f amt hcp (5) gf beating Nina Fontenail (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Maidstone Midas (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden 4f out, hung left and weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Goblin (9-7) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (E) gf in Jun '04.