13:30 Chester

Wednesday 8 May 2024

All13:3014:0514:3515:0515:4016:1016:45

CAA Stellar Handicap

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 1m 14.89s

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Selected odds by:

(9)

Billy Webster^p⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 91

9/1

Made it 3 wins from 4 starts with a useful effort to see off 4 rivals in a 5f Southwell handicap in January. Wide draw counted against him at Lingfield 2 months later so that effort easy to forgive and he remains of interest.

Form: 141-15

(5)

Exponista¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D Loughnane| OR: 89| D

28/1

Nottingham 6f maiden winner in August. 8¼ lengths eleventh of 13 to Adaay In Devon in listed race on reappearance, unsuited by drop to 5f and better expected back in a handicap over this trip.

Form: 2716-0

(10)

Al Shabab Storm¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 86| BF| D

7/2

Placed over 7f on first 2 starts and got off the mark at the third time of asking in 6f Goodwood novice (soft) in October. Gelded ahead of reappearance/handicap debut and failed to meet market expectations when sixth at Newbury. Drops in trip.

Form: 3214-6

(1)

Beyond Borders³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 85| D

9/2

Successful 4 times during a very productive juvenile campaign. Fitter for reappearance when second of 5 at Pontefract a month ago but assessor may just have him now. Stall 1 will help, at least.

Form: 5111-92

(13)

Garfield Shadow²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85

20/1

Supplemented debut Hamilton win in 9-runner novice at Newcastle in October. 6f sure to suit on reappearance but opening mark not obviously generous and stall 13 isn't ideal.

Form: 11-

(6)

Tsunami Spirit²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy| OR: 84| D

12/1

AW winner in October and even better form when second under a penalty at Catterick a fortnight later. Sound return to action when second of 3 at Kempton but this is a deeper race.

Form: 44126-2

(11)

Cargin Bhui⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: T D Barron| OR: 81| BF

40/1

Wolverhampton winner on second start and improved again when runner-up under a penalty at Newcastle. Strong in the betting and much better than the result on nursery debut at Southwell. That run makes him of interest if stall 11 doesn't prove to be an obstacle.

Form: 6-125

(3)

Call Glory^p¹²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 79

25/1

Successful twice over 5f during an intensive 2-y-o campaign. Fitted with cheekpieces and well held when last seen in January.

Form: 14234-4

(14)

Siobhanbrogan⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Hart| T: H Palmer| OR: 77| BF| D

28/1

Didn't need to improve to land the odds on third start at Wolverhampton in February. Reportedly bled on handicap debut a month later and this will reveal more back on grass. Widest stall to contend with.

Form: 5-314

(8)

Auric¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: David Egan| T: H Palmer| OR: 76| BF| D

11/1

Confirmed the promise of his debut when landing 8-runner novice event at Kempton (6f) last month. Heavily backed to follow up switched to turf/handicap company and he didn't do a lot wrong in second. 2 lb rise very fair.

Form: 412

(7)

Winged Messenger¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 73

8/1

Signed off 2-y-o campaign in the perfect fashion at Hamilton and shaped with plenty of promise when third on reappearance 18 days ago. 6f promises to suit so he's on the shortlist.

Form: 9221-3

(4)

Stash The Cash³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 72

11/1

Left juvenile form well behind when winning 8-runner handicap at Catterick (5f, heavy) last month. Up 8 lb in a better race but that may well be within range, as should 6f.

Form: 745-1

(2)

Old Chums^p²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 72| D

7/1

Productive period on the AW during the winter, winning twice over 6f. Followed that with a brace of excellent runner-up efforts and lot depends on whether he's as effective on turf.

Form: 9-13122

(12)

Macanudo³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: F Norton| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72

28/1

Winner at Chelmsford City in February. Better than result when sixth of 11 in handicap at Lingfield and a fair effort in a stronger event at Bath since.

Form: 8-41763

Forecasts

Al Shabab Storm (7/2), Beyond Borders (9/2), Old Chums (7/1), Winged Messenger (8/1), Billy Webster (9/1), Stash The Cash (11/1), Auric (11/1), Tsunami Spirit (12/1), Garfield Shadow (20/1), Call Glory (25/1), Macanudo (28/1), Exponista (28/1), Siobhanbrogan (28/1), Cargin Bhui (40/1)

A cracking handicap to open the meeting with the vote going to WINGED MESSENGER, who shaped with plenty of promise on reappearance and the return to 6f is sure to suit. Auric has progressed by the run and further improvement cannot be ruled out, with Old Chums dangerous from stall 2 if replicating his AW form.