held up in touch, effort 2f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway on outer 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, led final furlong, driven out
held up, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
charged gate and slowly away, in rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final furlong, one pace
pushed along in touch, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
A good race in prospect but as ever the draw will come into play so we will choose to oppose Paradise Isle and Racer Forever with Indian Maiden. Malcolm Saunders' mare won this race last year and she comes back to Chester following a success in the listed Mimosa Stakes at Leopardstown. There is a cogent argument to suggest that she is better with some cut in the ground but she has a reasonable draw and more importantly she handles the track. Paradise Isle is in flying form but the car park draw does not impress. Third in a Group 3 at York to La Chunga, she has obvious form book claims although Kevin Darley will need to use every ounce of his tactical nous to secure a decent position from the gate. Racer Forever looks progressive and he could not be crabbed for taking a listed prize at Epsom. Backers should expect to see him settled in mid-division early. Mr Wolf landed a handicap at Pontefract last Sunday and can be expected to blaze a trail from box four. Beckermet is a long losing run but does seem to reserve his better races for this circuit. Ooh Aah Camara is another to have proven form around Chester but is badly drawn. Master Plasta has ability although he has yet to conclusively prove that he has trained on. The Kiddykid is watched in the market. Indian Maiden would have it to do on official figures but the likable mare is in good nick and secures our selection.
Beckermet (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Prince of Light (8-8) at Chester 7f stk (2) gf in Jul.
Mr Wolf 15-8fav (9-9) Made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul beating High Ridge (8-11) by a hd, 11 ran.
Racer Forever (USA) 11-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up towards rear, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, kept on but never a danger, 8th of 14, 9l behind Jeremy (9-1) at Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
The Kiddykid (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead narrowly final 100 yards, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, hd behind One More Round (8-11) at Windsor 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Indian Maiden (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on well to lead near finish, edged left last strides, won at Leopardstown 6f lst fll stk (1) gf in Jul beating Beauty Bright (8-12) by a shd, 7 ran.
Paradise Isle 3-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind La Chunga (8-10) at York 6f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Fantasy Explorer (8-0) at Ayr 5f hcap (2) frm in Jul.
Moone Cross (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Made all, edged clear traveling well 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, easily, won at Naas 6f stk gf in Jul beating Rol'over Beethoven (9-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Ooh Aah Camara (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Soon outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Tournedos (9-0) at Chester 5f lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Bayeux (USA) 10-1 (8-9) Behind near side, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 5th of 20, 2l behind Dabbers Ridge (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Skhilling Spirit 3-1fav (8-11) Held up, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, went right well inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Haydock 6f 3yo lst stk (1) hvy in May beating Guto (8-11) by a nk, 8 ran.
