'He looks a big danger if coping with the ground' - expert analysis and trainer quotes for competitive handicap

Finding the winners of sprint handicaps at Chester usually consists of two things: you want a low draw and you need early pace.

There have been 32 handicaps run over this distance with more than ten runners since 2017. Twenty have been won by those drawn one through to five, with 12 from the inside two stalls, while seven of the last eight winners made all or were prominent.

That trend was bucked last year when Garfield Shadow (stall 13) edged out Al Shabab Storm (stall ten). They went on to win Group 3s and ended the season rated significantly higher. So, is there another improver lurking in a high draw?

The obvious one is Hammer The Hammer, who is drawn in stall ten. He blew his rivals away when upped to six furlongs on his handicap debut at Southwell last month, making all for an impressive six-length success. He has been raised 13lb but gets to run under a 6lb penalty so is officially 7lb well in. The only question is whether he can transfer his improvement back to turf.

Bob Mali (stall two) has a six-furlong record of 1112, including a course win. His reappearance second has been franked by the third and a 1lb rise seems manageable. He looks a big danger if coping with the ground (three withdrawals on good or better).

Cabelleroso (stall three) showed strong form here on his debut behind Columnist, who was then narrowly beaten in the Coventry at Royal Ascot. He could try to make his excess stamina count from the front, while Diligently could progress further and has a plum draw in stall one.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

What they say

George Scott, trainer of Force And Valour
He’s interesting. He’s coming off the back of a good run in Dubai over seven furlongs and he should show gate speed like he did over there. He’s been gelded since, which should be a help.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Cabelleroso and The Flying Seagull
I thought The Flying Seagull was one of our best chances of the week until I saw the draw (14) but our chink of light is that Richard Kingscote is the best jockey I know for gate speed. I've walked the track and it walked quicker than the good they are giving so there must be a doubt about the participation of Cabelleroso.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Bob Mali
Hopefully the ground is not too quick for him but they usually do a good job up there. He has a nice draw in two and we were delighted with how he ran when second at the Craven meeting. That form has had a boost since.

James Ferguson, trainer of Cyclonite
He has a nice draw and despite all his form being on the all-weather his breeding suggests going around a bend on turf will suit. He’s been on the go a while but we're hopeful he can be in the shake up.

George Boughey, trainer of Megaphone
He’s unbeaten going around a bend and it’s his first time on turf which will be interesting. Things didn’t pan out for him at Newcastle last time and we expect him to outrun his odds.
Reporting by David Milnes

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