14:00 Chester

Saturday 11 September 2021

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:5016:2516:55

tote+ Stand Cup Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 2m 38.85s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Alfred Boucher¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: H Candy| OR: 96| D

12/1

In good order this term, winning at Ascot in July, then excelling himself when fifth in a listed event at Windsor a fortnight ago. Needs to do more if he's to play a serious role in this, though.

Form: 3-34215

(2)

Alignak³⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 110| CD

11/4

Progressive sort who signed off last season with a comfortable success in this race, always holding on. Must have had issues to be off since, but needs respecting bidding to defend his crown.

Form: 31/1231-

(3)

Alounak²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 110| D

9/4

Back to his smart best when ready winner of Old Newton Cup at Haydock. Has hit the frame on both subsequent outings, running a cracker to finish third in the Ebor 3 weeks ago. Should take the beating.

Form: 5-77143

(9)

Throne Hall²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: K A Ryan| OR: 102

7/1

4-y-o who returned has generally held his form well in handicap company since a successful reappearance at Doncaster. This slight step back up in trip should suit, so can't be dismissed.

Form: 123002

(1)

Wells Farhh Go¹²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 104| D

11/1

Smart front-running stayer at his best but form tailed off in 2019 and didn't really feature in the Yorkshire Cup at York returning from a 19-month absence. Off a further 120 days since.

Form: 41807/4

(8)

Winter Reprise⁶³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: D Menuisier| OR: 97

28/1

Heavy-ground maiden winner in France who ran with credit in Group 3/listed contests in the spring. However, didn't see his race out strongly when eighth in John Smith's Cup and back up in trip now.

Form: 62-5358

(4)

Dhabyah⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 90| D

33/1

Fairly useful filly who made a winning start for this stable at Bellewstown in July but came up way short at this level at Newmarket 42 days ago. Likely to struggle again.

Form: 1220-19

(7)

Vindolanda⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Hills| OR: 86| D

14/1

Defied a mark of 81 at Ascot in July and has acquitted herself well off higher marks since. Looks a bit out of her depth in this company, though.

Form: 1-59123

(6)

Invite⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: J F Egan| T: A M Balding| OR: 95

5/1

Lightly raced filly who bolted up in a Doncaster handicap in May and was far from disgraced in the Italian Oaks 97 days ago. This strikes as a more realistic assignment.

Form: 1-2215

Forecasts

Alounak (9/4), Alignak (11/4), Invite (5/1), Throne Hall (7/1), Wells Farhh Go (11/1), Alfred Boucher (12/1), Vindolanda (14/1), Winter Reprise (28/1), Dhabyah (33/1)

ALOUNAK looked better than ever when third in the Ebor 3 weeks ago and, with a fitness edge over his chief rival, Alignak, he's a confident selection land this. Invite is still low mileage and has joined a yard that is having a terrific season, so she might well have a big performance in her.