Chester - Sat 22 Aug 2026
Asuka has made up for lost time after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and arrives seeking a hat-trick following his handicap debut success at Thirsk. A 3lb rise may underestimate George Boughey's charge but the value may lie with RHOSCOLYN. The only time he has had his ideal conditions this season was when the eight-year-old suffered a luckless run at Epsom and the recent rain, combined with the handicapper giving him a real chance, makes David O'Meara's gelding very interesting. Two Tempting and Five Ways are others to note.
2025 Derby runner-up LAZY GRIFF has the perfect opportunity to gain a confidence-boosting success after a disappointing effort in the Goodwood Cup. Prior to that, he had won at this level in the Coral Marathon at Sandown where he got the better of the reopposing Lady Vivian. By The Book chased home the evergreen Al Aasy at Beverley and has to enter calculations, while it will be interesting to see what the market makes of Fantasy World.
BATED BENEVOLENCE's only defeat in three starts came in the Albany at Royal Ascot and that experience clearly did her no harm at Wolverhampton when successfully giving 4lb to a subsequent winner. She can take another step forward and strike at the main expense of Nicely, who drops in class after tackling a Group 3 at Deauville at the start of the month. The Can Can Queen and Kentucky Rain appear best of the remainder.
There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from MOLLISHA's close-up third when making her debut over 6f at Newcastle and she looks the one to beat. A drop to the minimum distance shouldn't inconvenience the Sands Of Mali filly and her experience could prove crucial against the newcomers. Karl Burke has enjoyed a fantastic season with his juveniles, so Angel Ceecee warrants a market check, along with fellow debutant Ivory Moon.
Alfa Duplicate arrives on the back of a good second at Doncaster and she's likely to prove popular given her plum draw. However, a 2lb nudge up in the ratings and rise in class does demand more of her, with HENRYTHENATE edging the vote. Patrick Morris' gelding finished a never-nearer fourth over C&D last month and softer ground conditions may make this less tactical. U S S Charleston completes the shortlist.
As ever at Chester, the temptation is to focus on those drawn low. Cases can be stated for the likes of Wolverhampton scorer American Style, Fortification and Rosenpur. The latter only went up 1lb for his Redcar success and he could be the pick of that bunch on these terms. However, STATION X, who won on his only previous visit to the Roodee in June, will be suited by any rain that hits the course looks worth chancing with conditions to suit.
Cranachan has shaped as if stepping up in trip will suit, despite his pedigree suggesting otherwise. Strong support in the betting would be dangerous to ignore. Nevertheless, this is likely to be a stamina-sapping event and the class-dropping ST MAWES could be a safer choice. A dual winner over 2m on the all-weather, Greorge Scott's ground-versatile four-year-old has less to prove and and appeals reunited with Billy Loughnane. Previous course winner Dino Bellagio also warrants close inspection.
ASUKA arrives on the back of two successive wins, completing the double when getting up by a head at Thirsk last time. The George Boughey-trained gelding remains progressive and could have even more to offer, while the minor step up to seven and a half furlongs looks well within range on breeding and the form shown so far. Goldmoyne had been in consistent form before a respectable effort in a hot handicap at Glorious Goodwood and remains on a competitive mark, with conditions also in his favour. Collecting Coin made an immediate impact for new trainer Jennie Candlish when winning over C&D by two lengths last time, but a 7lb rise and step up in class demand further improvement.
LAZY GRIFF can get back to winning ways now dropping from Group 1 company, having found the Goodwood Cup too competitive after racing too close to the pace. He had previously shown his ability at this level when winning the Listed Coral Marathon at Sandown by two and three-quarter lengths and looks to hold strong claims back in calmer waters. By The Book returned to form when runner-up in the Listed Charlie Wood Stakes at Beverley on his seasonal reappearance and should come on for that run for the in-form Charlie Appleby yard. Fantasy World is an interesting returnee to the Flat, having previously progressed into a Listed winner at Ascot before switching to hurdles, and is worth noting back with Andrew Balding from Nicky Henderson.
NICELY is worth another chance after a better effort than the bare result suggests in the Group 3 Prix Six Perfections at Deauville, where she was second last of seven but beaten five lengths. She had previously won a maiden with plenty in hand and should appreciate both the drop back to six furlongs and in class. The Can Can Queen went off too quickly when racing away from the main body of the field in the Princess Margaret Stakes and can bounce back, having been progressing well beforehand, including a close third in a Listed race at Newmarket on her penultimate start. Bated Benevolence returned to form with a four-length success at Wolverhampton last time and remains a promising filly despite finding the Albany Stakes too competitive at Royal Ascot.
MOLLISHA made a very promising start when finishing third, beaten just half a length, in a novice at Newcastle and should have learned plenty from that debut. The drop back to five furlongs could suit and further progress would make her difficult to beat with that experience already under her belt. Ivory Moon is an expensive Night Of Thunder filly, with plenty of speed in her pedigree, and represents the in-form George Boughey yard, so looks a major danger on debut. Angel Ceecee also comes from a leading juvenile yard and could know plenty about her job first time out for Karl Burke, with both newcomers making more appeal than those others in the field with runs.
ALFA DUPLICATE has been in consistent form and was only beaten a neck at Doncaster last time when stepped up in trip to 6f. She remains on a competitive mark and the return to five furlongs could suit, so she looks capable of going close again. Henrythenate returned to form when beaten one and a half lengths over C&D last time and is now back on a competitive mark, while this sharp five furlongs looks ideal. U S S Charleston has also been running consistently enough and can remain competitive after another solid effort at Brighton.
AMERICAN STYLE hinted a revival when close third on his penultimate start and firmly bounced back to form when winning by two and a half lengths at Wolverhampton last time. He is 6lb higher and steps back up in class for this turf return, so more will be required, but he can remain competitive if building on that effort. Tricky Tel was well below his best in a much stronger race last time but had won over C&D previously and is back down in grade, so can bounce back. Station X has been in good form, winning over C&D before finishing third at Hamilton from the same mark as today, and should appreciate the ease in the ground.
CRANACHAN improved for the first-time blinkers when finishing second by two lengths at Newmarket (July) last time and remains open to further progress on just his second handicap start. He shaped as though this step up in trip could suit and can go well again over two miles. St Mawes found the combination of a rise in class and trip too much at Goodwood last time but had been in good form beforehand and remains on a competitive mark, so can bounce back. Dino Bellagio is attractively weighted just 1lb above his last winning mark at this track and can also have a say if building on his latest effort.
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