15:35 Chester

Saturday 28 June 2025

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:20

Christmas Parties At Chester Racecourse Handicap

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 38.08s

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(7)

Bulldog Spirit²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 74| BF| D

11/4

Won twice in recent starts over varying trips, including over 14f at Nottingham in May. Ran at least as well when 4th of 8 back there 49 days ago, despite a 5 lb higher mark. Should remain competitive back down in trip and reunited with 7-lb claimer.

Form: 9-19714

(2)

Shahbaz³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: A Mullen| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74| BF

14/1

Won at Chelmsford City (10f) in April before finishing 8th of 16 at Lingfield, unsuited by the way the race developed. Ran poorly when last of 4 in handicap at Wolverhampton (12f) in cheekpieces (11/10) on most recent outing but was possibly amiss. Headgear left off this time.

Form: 372184

(5)

Woodstock City⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73

6/1

Ran well when 2nd of 11 at Yarmouth the previous month before finishing last of 8 at Haydock (8/1) 7 days ago when a change in tactics backfired. Returns to Chester where previously finished 4th of 12 over C&D in May. Not dismissed.

Form: 55-7428

(4)

Oman^b¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Ray Dawson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 69| CD

22/1

Dual course winner who underperformed when 6th of 10 in handicap here (14/1) 14 days ago, hanging right and making no impression. Enough to prove at present.

Form: 717-686

(1)

Innse Gall³²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: O J Orr| T: I Furtado| OR: 69

22/1

Winless in 6 runs. Finished 8th of 10 in handicap at Chester (18/1) when last seen in August. First run for a new trainer after a long absence and probably best watched unless the betting suggests otherwise.

Form: 856/798-

(3)

Ghaiyya¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 77| D

15/8

Got off the mark in 6-runner maiden at Thirsk over this distance (6/4) 11 days ago, making all and driven out. Opening mark no gimme but could have more to offer at this sort of trip.

Form: 733-231

(9)

Time Tells All¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Zak Wheatley⁽³⁾| T: D Carroll| OR: 63

14/1

Has previous course experience, finishing third of 9 over C&D last year. Fifth of 9 in handicap at Catterick (6/1) 18 days ago when denied a clear run and unable to fully open up in final furlong. Stall 9 not ideal but has to be respected from the same mark, despite still searching for first win.

Form: 23-3775

(8)

Arcturus Flame^t,v1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Watson| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 74

5/1

Has a win and two second places since entering handicaps. Second of 8 in 10f handicap (11/2) at Salisbury 35 days ago, staying on and showing longer trip well within range. Stepping up to 12f and first-time visor replacing cheekpieces could bring further improvement.

Form: 405-122

Non-Runners

(6)

Khangai²

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: P Morris J: Rose Dawes

Forecasts

Ghaiyya (15/8), Bulldog Spirit (11/4), Khangai (7/2), Arcturus Flame (5/1), Woodstock City (6/1), Time Tells All (14/1), Shahbaz (14/1), Innse Gall (22/1), Oman (22/1)

ARCTURUS FLAME has proven remarkably consistent with a win and two seconds since entering handicaps and is fancied to continue his progression stepping up to 12f with a first-time visor replacing cheekpieces. Bulldog Spirit remains in good form after a solid Nottingham effort and is second choice, with handicap-debutante Ghaiyya also of interest.