'He has a decent record fresh' - three handicappers to follow as Chester's May meeting comes to a close

The government must rein in the Gambling Commission before catastrophic damage is done to the regulated bookmaking sector

Chester: which handicappers are worth following?Credit: Edward Whitaker

Chester's May meeting is the highlight of the season on the Roodee. The historic racecourse, set in the heart of the city, offers a unique test for horses that is unlike any other in the country. A tight left-handed turning track, early speed and the ability to hold your position are key to success alongside, of course, a good draw position. Many don't handle it, but there are some who relish it. Here, we take a look at three handicappers to follow on Friday . . .

Boardman

7½f handicap, 1.30 Friday

The seven-year-old gelding is two from six at the track, with his last win coming here towards the end of May 2022 when he was rated 2lb lower.

He has taken a few runs to hit form, but his latest effort at Haydock was much more like it. Beaten three lengths by Rainbow Fire, he only started to hit top gear late on after an early slow pace.

It seems likely connections may well have targeted this race and he's handicapped to go close. He went close at Haydock in September when rated 100 and he's 3lb lower here, so he should be kept on side this week.

Boardman13:30 Chester

View Racecard

Jky: Tnr: Tim Easterby

Revich

7½f handicap, 1.30 Friday

There aren't many this week who will have visited the Roodee more times than Revich. The Richard Spencer-trained gelding has featured ten times at the track, with three wins and three places to his name, and was only beaten half a length into third by Red Mirage last year.

He's 3lb lower this time around and just 1lb higher than his course-and-distance victory when finishing two and a quarter lengths clear of Queen's Sargent in August 2020.

He has run twice this season, putting in pleasing efforts both times. The first a ninth-placed finish in the highly competitive Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster and the second a third-place finish in the Spring Cup at Newbury.

Revich13:30 Chester

View Racecard

Jky: Jim Crowley Tnr: Richard Spencer

Hydroplane

2m2½f handicap, 4.55 Friday

Trained by Ian Williams, Hydroplane has a win and a place to his name from just three starts around Chester. He's a strong travelling stayer, who is ideally suited by the demands of this unique track.

He won here in June last year by six lengths, while he finished third in the 2021 running of this race behind the extremely well-handicapped Green Book. He warmed up for this contest with a fourth at Kempton, losing out to Chester Cup favourite Novel Legend by two lengths.

That looks good form and he's been left on the same mark for this. Richard Kingscote has been booked for the ride and he boasts a 15 per cent strike rate at Chester over the last five years.