'We've had this race in mind for some time' - are the stars aligning for the consistent Tabletalk?

Connections of Tabletalk must have been relieved when Hamish wasn’t declared on Thursday. The four-year-old has been taking on some of the better horses in Britain this year, but he has a golden opportunity here in a race where he sets the standard.

With the 117-rated Hamish out, Tabletalk (rated 113) is 4lb clear of his nearest rival Alsakib on BHA figures and doesn’t even have to concede weight to him. 

It is the first time Tabletalk hasn’t come up against horses rated 114-plus in 2025 and this is clearly a big drop in class. He doesn’t win often, though. You have to go back more than a year to his sole success out of maiden company, in the Melrose at York, and he wasn’t able to take advantage of his best opportunity of the season so far when beaten four lengths behind Al Qareem on the Knavesmire last time.

He was rated only 1lb lower than Al Qareem at York and was clear second best on BHA figures, but finished only third, finishing one place behind Samui, rated 10lb inferior.

Tabletalk recorded his lowest Racing Post Rating of the year that day, and maybe he is the type who tends to run well when faced with stiffer opposition yet can’t cash in against the weaker horses. A win here would silence the doubters and answer that question unequivocally.

However, the weather threatens to throw a spanner in the works. There is a lot of rain forecast to hit Chester, and Tabletalk has only twice run on ground with soft in the description. He was beaten 19 lengths in the Derby on the first occasion and failed to beat a rival the second time.

Alsakib has won two of his five starts when the word soft has been mentioned, and his connections will be hoping the rain arrives, while Tashkhan's supporters will be hoping for an even heavier downpour. The seven-year-old loves it when the mud is flying and is a course winner.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

George Scott, trainer of Prydwen
He's been an excellent servant to us over the last few years. Things haven't really gone his way recently, but he should be fine on the track and any rain would be welcome.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Abdulla Al Mansoori, owner of Tabletalk
We've had this race in mind for some time and everything has gone smoothly in the build-up. If he were to win well he could be a Melbourne Cup candidate, but we'll see how he gets on before we decide on any such plans.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Allonsy
She'll enjoy the track and the trip and is well drawn. She goes there in good form.

Roger Varian, trainer of Orchard Keeper
She's in good form, and the trip and ground should be fine. We're trying to get a bit of black type with her. She needs to run a career best, but we're happy with her form and hoping she can finish in the first three.
Reporting by Ella Bond

Read Saturday's previews:

2.05 Beverley: Sprint star Regional takes big drop in class - but Beverley Bullet specialist Clive Cox is out to stop him

2.25 Sandown: Can the Group 1-entered Blue Bolt continue her rise up the ranks in Atalanta Stakes?

3.35 Sandown: Charlie Appleby and James Tate lock horns as impressive debut winners clash in the Solario  

4.37 Curragh: Can the British-trained favourite end a 25-year hoodoo for market leaders in the Irish Cambridgeshire? 

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