20:25 Chester

Friday 11 July 2025

All17:5518:2518:5519:2519:5520:2520:55

John Smith's Handicap

Off time: 20:25 | Winning time: 1m 6.02s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Abbey Heights¹¹^{(ex 4)}

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 84| D

7/1

Didn't have things go right on penultimate start but quickly back on the up when making it 2 wins from last 3 starts from the front at Wolverhampton (6.1f) 11 days ago, tackled over 1f out and asserting last ½f. Possibilities turned out under a penalty for all his draw could have been kinder.

Form: 17-3101

(1)

Harvanna²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| D

4/1

3-time winner for Karl Burke who has shaped well on 2 of her 3 starts for new yard, impressing with how she went through the race when fifth of 13 in handicap at York (6f) 28 days ago. Slight ease in trip and plum draw to operate from should see her bang there.

Form: 9842-75

(4)

Nazron²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Hart| T: I Furtado| OR: 82| D

9/4

Dual 5f winner on AW/turf for Roger Varian who has eased in weights and produced his best effort for present yard when good second of 8 in handicap at this course (51.f) 4 weeks ago. A repeat gives him solid claims here nudged up 2 lb.

Form: 8-63072

(6)

Paws For Thought^p¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: A Mullen| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 80| CD

12/1

Five-time course winner but not been shaping like a winner in waiting in recent months, last of 9 in handicap at this course (6.1f, good to firm, 10/1) 13 days ago. Handicapper continues to ease his grip but passed over at present.

Form: 109-899

(8)

Count D'Orsay^p¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-2| J: D Fentiman| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77| CD

28/1

3-time C&D winner who displayed more positive signs than previously this term when seventh over 6f here on penultimate start. Had little chance from his position when sixth of 9 in handicap back here (6f) since and he comes here operating from last winning mark.

Form: 11-0576

(3)

Never Dark²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: I Jardine| OR: 76| DWS

9/1

Dual 5f winner during 2024 who has yet to fire in trio of starts so far this season, last of 7 in handicap at Hamilton (5f, good) 23 days ago. Subsequent breathing operation needs to have had a positive effect ahead of this.

Form: 153-907

(2)

Rosenpur^h²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 73| D

7/2

Successful 3 times during a busy AW campaign this year and hard to knock his consistency of late, third of 8 in handicap at this course (5.1f, good to soft, 4/1) 27 days ago. Has good chance on form.

Form: 212443

(5)

Maharajas Express⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: L Morris| T: Ian Williams| OR: 68| BF| D

12/1

Back-to-back winner of 5f Wolverhampton handicaps in February who has proved to be a model of consistency since, second of 9 in handicap at Windsor (5.1f, good to firm) 46 days ago. Can play a part again in this groove back up in grade.

Form: 224922

Forecasts

Nazron (9/4), Rosenpur (7/2), Harvanna (4/1), Abbey Heights (7/1), Never Dark (9/1), Maharajas Express (12/1), Paws For Thought (12/1), Count D'Orsay (28/1)

HARVANNA stepped up plenty on her reappearance when finishing a good fifth in a much deeper handicap at York (6f) 4 weeks ago and, with this slight drop back in trip promising to suit, Mick Appleby's filly is fancied to make a bold bid from the plum draw. Rosenpur, Abbey Heights and Maharajas Express head up the dangers.