Soft-ground pedigrees look the way to go in competitive handicap

2.45 Chester
Deepbridge Estate Planning Service Handicap | 7½f | 3yo | ITV4/Sky

Aleas looked to have a good chance here based on his sire's record on soft ground, but his trainer Ralph Beckett clearly didn't agree as he has taken the gelding out on account of conditions.

There are several other sires represented in this race whose progeny also have a positive impact value on good to soft, soft or heavy ground, though.

Master Zoffany’s sire Zoffany boasts an impact value of 1.26, Bakersboy’s sire Oasis Dream comes in at 1.19 and Bravado’s sire Showcasing 1.18.

In fact, the only sire who doesn’t have a positive figure is Buxted Too’s sire Iffraaj, whose progeny have an impact value of 1. Buxted Too has run only once on turf when second on good going at Sandown last month, but maybe others will like the surface more than him.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Haggas hoping track rekindles Yazaman's enthusiasm

Yazaman is William Haggas's only runner of the week at Chester, and the Newmarket trainer is hopeful the track can reignite the three-year-old’s career despite a wide draw inhibiting his chances.

In the familiar yellow colours of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, Yazaman demonstrated abundant potential as a juvenile with back-to-back seconds in a pair of Group 2s, the Tattersalls July Stakes at Newmarket and the Qatar Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.

Those performances last summer earned him a rating of 106, but that mark has plummeted by 15lb after a series of underwhelming displays since being gelded in November.

"He has got class at times but he doesn’t always show it, so I’m hoping a track like Chester might reignite his enthusiasm, albeit from a bad draw," Haggas said.

Yzaman (right): finished second to Tactical (left) in the Group 2 July Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Pool

"He’s been pretty disappointing so far this year. I thought he ran a bit better last time in blinkers [first-time tongue-tie applied now], which we’re taking off now and we’re hoping that can help.

"He might be drawn too wide to feature but he’ll be doing his best. Most of my horses are getting drawn on the outside at the moment, that’s just the way it is. We’ll ride him with confidence and hope for the best."

What they say

Tom Dascombe, trainer of Bakersboy
He’s in great form and looks really well in himself and it’s our local track, so we hope he runs really well. He’s drawn wide which isn’t ideal. but his owners are local and it’s nice for them to have a runner.

Roger Varian, trainer of Aquaman
He’s in good form and he should handle any cut in the ground. He’s drawn nicely and the trip looks okay so he should run a nice race. The form of his third start as a two-year-old is pretty strong and he didn’t need to progress too much from that to win at Catterick, so we’ll learn a little bit more about him here.

Richard Fahey, trainer of Master Zoffany
He’ll love the ground if the forecast is right – the softer the better for him. He’s in a very competitive heat here but gets plenty of weight, which always helps. He was entitled to need the first run back at Redcar and is in good order heading here.
Reporting by Sam Hendry

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