'This track really plays to his strengths' - expert analysis and key quotes for Chester's opening handicap on Friday

Handicaps at Chester for older horses usually contain plenty of runners with course form, and Friday's opener for four-year-olds and up (1.30) is no different.

Five of these met over course and distance in August. Two Tempting came out on top that day, seeing off Divine Libra and Gorak, who filled the places, with Yanifer (fifth) and Spirit Genie (eighth) behind.

History may repeat itself as the weights are not very different this time. Two Tempting is rated just 1lb higher, Gorak is 2lb higher, while Spirit Genie is 1lb lower, with Divine Libra and Yanifer unchanged from last year’s marks.

Two Tempting was positioned in stall seven that day but has the plum draw in stall one this time. He was progressive last year and his fourth in the Spring Cup at Newbury last month suggests he still has more to offer.

Divine Libra has two wins, a second and a third from five course starts and is the one who benefits most from the weight difference. He shaped well on his reappearance at Haydock last month, has Ryan Moore in the saddle and won at this meeting on his second start of last season, so there is quite a lot to like.

He again hasn’t fared well with the draw (stall 11), but the bias lessens as you go beyond sprint trips and he was beaten just three-quarters of a length from stall 14 in August.

Pearl Eye would have to be of interest if turned out quickly, having made up good ground late on after being slow into stride from his wide draw on Wednesday. The extra half-furlong should suit and Mason Paetel takes over in the saddle claiming a useful 7lb.
Analysis by Harry Wilson

What they say

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Gorak
He’s run really well both times at Chester. He's got very quick gate speed, a high cruising speed and he’ll be able to hold a decent position. Seven and a half furlongs around there will be perfect and the ground is absolutely lovely. He wants decent ground so we put him in the Victoria Cup just in case. Ascot is a bit deeper race on a track that doesn’t quite play to his strengths in the way Chester does.

Jonathan Portman, trainer of Two Tempting
He ran very well at Newbury last time, came out of the race well, and is a course-and-distance winner at Chester, so that helps. We’re happy with the draw, so we just need a bit of luck.

Clive Cox, trainer of Cracking Gold
He won well at Southwell, then sadly didn’t get any cover last time on All-Weather Championships finals day. He’s in good order and I’m hoping that the seven and a half furlongs might be advantageous to him.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Transcending Glory
It's hard to find races for him in Ireland. He likes seven furlongs and he likes going around a bend. He’s on a high mark, but he’s ready to run and he goes well fresh.

Nicola Barron, joint-trainer of Persuasion
He’s in good form but the draw in stall eight isn’t ideal. He’ll definitely run his race, so it’s just going to be a case of whether he’s good enough.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Kindest Nation and Cheshire Dancer
Kindest Nation would prefer a bit more cut in the ground. Cheshire Dancer is in very good order and should go well on the fast ground.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Partisan Hero
He’s in good form, he's been very consistent since joining us and was a little bit unlucky at Pontefract last time as the race wasn’t run to suit. It’s a step up in grade, but around Chester you never quite know what could happen. He’s not got the best draw [12], but we’ve got a light weight and a good apprentice in Warren Fentiman.
Reporting by Sadie Iddenden

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