Racecards
14:40 Chester
Barclays Wealth Handicap (Class 4)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f 66y
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- £8,500 added
- Form 528-021
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey W Buick
tracked leader, ridden to challenge 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
- Form 51
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J-P Guillambert
held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, just held near finish
- Form 04-222
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer G A Swinbank
- Jockey R Winston
held up in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, just held on
- Form 01-4651
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer Mrs K Walton
- Jockey Neil Brown
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra towards finish
- Form 851123
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 71
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey Jamie Moriarty
tracked leaders, kept on final furlong
Musical Maze
10- Form 9-07324
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey P Pickard
held up in rear, ridden and outpaced over 1f out
Verdict
A small but select field in which we will give the vote to COOL STRIKE with both Act Of Kalanisi and Embsay worthy of respect. The selection has continued to improve throughout his career. He has only been lightly raced and looked unexposed when winning at Bath last time out. The handicapper has put him up a full 14lbs in the ratings which is guaranteed to make life tough from now on. He does have top weight to carry but can improve once again before the handicapper has him where he wants him. Act Of Kalanisi improved form his debut to score at Catterick last time out. He races off a mark of 81 on his handicap debut and as the handicapper tends to judge them on the cautious side to start with he is possibly best watched for the time being. Embsay Crag is only 5lbs higher since gaining victory at this venue. He once again steps up in trip which ought to suit and warrants plenty of respect. A tough race to call but we will side with Cool Strike who gets the narrow vote.
Formwatch
Cool Strike (UAE) 11-8fav (9-7) Prominent, led 7f out, well clear over 2f out, unchallenged after, ridden over 1f out, eased well inside final furlong, won at Bath 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fm beating Spinning Waters (9-2) by 5l, 8 ran.
Act Of Kalanisi (IRE) 8-11fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on final furlong, won at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd beating Lords A Leaping (8-11) by 5l, 4 ran.
Stanstill (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Thin Red Line (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Embsay Crag 11-1 (9-5) Soon tracked across from draw to lead, ridden over 1f out, in command final furlong, ran on well, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Musical Maze (9-4) by 3l, 11 ran.
Classic Contours (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Deauville Flyer (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Musical Maze 3-1 (8-7) Close up, ridden to lead well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 13l behind Jenny Potts (9-10) at Hamilton 1m 1f (5) gd.