15:41 Chester

Saturday 16 July 2022

All13:5914:3315:0815:4116:1716:5517:30

Free Placepot Every Saturday At tote.co.uk Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 15:42 | Winning time: 2m 38.31s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Euchen Glen¹⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: J S Goldie| OR: 105| D

11/1

Veteran who has been a tremendous servant to connections and he posted a solid third in listed race at York last month. However he made little impression at Sandown just over a fortnight ago and others look stronger on this occasion. Yard also runs Sir Chauvelin.

Form: 29-6634

(5)

Alfred Boucher³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| D

6/1

6-y-o who ended losing run over 1½m at Ascot last summer. Ran well upped markedly in trip on first outing for this new yard when runner-up over 2m here 5 weeks ago but this looks even more competitive.

Form: 5593-82

(4)

Cockalorum⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 92

17/2

Useful sort who is operating a notch below his best this year, ninth in John Smith's Cup at York last Saturday. Mark eases a couple of pounds and he could sneak a place.

Form: 84-P449

(8)

Haliphon^p1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Sanderson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 90| BF

10/1

Dual French winner who opened his account on these shores at York just over 5 weeks ago, second past the post but rightly awarded race in steward's room. 5 lb higher here but no surprise if he's involved at the business end.

Form: 464021

(2)

Star Caliber^h²⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

5/2

Goodwood maiden winner on sole 2-y-o start. Eked out a little more improvement under another well-judged ride when runner-up at York back in October, and with the well-touted Harry Davies booked on reappearance, this front-runner could be tough to peg back.

Form: 322342-

(7)

Parachute²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 89| D

13/2

Kept his quirks in check to open his account for the season with the headgear quickly discarded at Newbury last month. This a sterner test of his resolution and may find a few too strong.

Form: 04-0451

(6)

Sir Chauvelin¹²

Age: 10| Weight: 8-10| J: Sean Kirrane| T: J S Goldie| OR: 89| D

33/1

Enjoyed an excellent winter, scoring at Newcastle 3 times. Stopped the slide having edged down to last winning mark when third at Ayr 12 days ago and he's a player if able to build on that effort here. Yard also runs Euchen Glen.

Form: 136603

(3)

Topanticipation^h⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 88| D

13/2

Frustrating last season but it all came together with wins at Leicester (1¼m) and York (1½m) this spring. Has continued in good form on both subsequent starts so should give another good account.

Form: 26-1132

(10)

Heights Of Abraham²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 87

25/1

Yet to really fire this season, taking a step back in the right direction at Ayr 4 weeks ago without suggesting a return to top form is imminent. Handicapper relinquishes his grip and he's worthy of a market check.

Form: 4-03280

(12)

Desert Emperor^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 87| D

20/1

Enjoyed a productive winter at Wolverhampton and has hit the crossbar on four occasions this year, translating his consistent all-weather form back to turf here in May. Similar form next time and he's yet to post a bad effort since the tongue strap was applied.

Form: 232228

(9)

Haseefah²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 87| CD

9/1

Didn't progress over hurdles after a winning start but she's relished the return to the Flat with 1½m handicap wins over C&D and at Goodwood in May. Ran creditably up against progressive sorts when runner-up at Newmarket 3 weeks ago and she's another with place claims.

Form: 422-112

Non-Runners

(11)

Enfranchise¹⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: C & M Johnston J: Andrew Breslin

Forecasts

Star Caliber (5/2), Alfred Boucher (6/1), Topanticipation (13/2), Parachute (13/2), Enfranchise (7/1), Cockalorum (17/2), Haseefah (9/1), Haliphon (10/1), Euchen Glen (11/1), Desert Emperor (20/1), Heights Of Abraham (25/1), Sir Chauvelin (33/1)

The fitting of a hood meant that STAR CALIBER was able to conserve his energy much better on his final couple of starts at 3, and having produced a career-best at York when last seen 9 months ago, Andrew Balding's front-runner could prove tough to peg back with the well-touted Harry Davies on board. Enfranchaise, Topanticipation and Haliphon are just a handful of dangers in an ultra-competitive contest.