15:55 Chester

Saturday 17 June 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Manor Car Hire Handicap

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 3m 39.37s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Malakahna^p,t⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| D

7/2

Won at Ascot and Newmarket on her final 2 starts in 2022. Lost her action when last seen over hurdles at Chepstow and interesting to see what market makes of her chances back on the level.

Form: 462611-

(6)

Percy Jones²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: David Probert| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 76

10/1

Winner at Wolverhampton in December. Ran up to his best when fifth of 9 in handicap at Salisbury (14.2f, good to firm) 21 days ago and shouldn't be discounted here having slipped slightly in the weights.

Form: 1521-65

(5)

Grand Canal^b¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: J S Goldie| OR: 75

9/2

Attracted support and duly maintained his unbeaten record at Ayr when winning a 6-runner event there (15f, good to firm) 12 days ago in comfortable fashion. Nudged up 5 lb but would rate as a leading player if in the same form this time.

Form: 05-0451

(4)

Oman^p1²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: F Norton| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| C

7/2

Useful stayer for Ralph Beckett a couple of seasons back but struggled in 3 starts over hurdles for Alan King during the winter. Lifeless efforts for new yard back on the Flat in recent months and it's best to look elsewhere.

Form: 500705

(7)

Heart Of Soul^p⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: G Lee| T: P Morris| OR: 70| C

25/1

Dual winner last seaon for Ian Williams but has failed to fire in 3 starts this year since joining this yard. Has a decent record at this course (3 wins) but others are preferred on recent efforts.

Form: 400-776

(3)

Capone²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: B A Curtis| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 65| D

6/4

:Fairly useful 2m4f winner over hurdles for Charlie Mann in 2020. Stepped up from his return after yet another lengthy absence when third of 8 in handicap at this C&D (good) 21 days ago. Expected to be bang there from same mark.

Form: 483/2-43

(1)

Lumberjack^b⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: J F Egan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 60

50/1

Showed ability in a novice and a maiden for Tom Clover but has offered little in a pair of starts for his current yard, folding tamely on his handicap debut at Haydock last week.

Form: 34-68

Forecasts

Capone (6/4), Malakahna (7/2), Oman (7/2), Grand Canal (9/2), Percy Jones (10/1), Heart Of Soul (25/1), Lumberjack (50/1)

Not a particularly deep contest, with CAPONE fancied to build upon his fine C&D third and score for the first time since 2020. Percy Jones still looks on a fair mark and ran well at Salisbury last time, whilst Grand Canal is another serious player if able to replicate his Ayr form here.