Chester - Friday 12th June 2026
King's School got his revenge on Lord Capulet at Newcastle having finished third to that rival there the start prior but although the pair should be closely matched again, a chance can be taken on PAWS FOR THOUGHT. Donald McCain's charge never figured on his seasonal return and he's struggled to find consistency for some time now. However, he has six course wins to his name, including in this race three years ago under Lucy Turner, and this might be the time to catch him.
LADY BRANKSOME was a beaten favourite on her racecourse bow, but she left that effort behind her to finish a creditable second at Ripon. That form could have some substance given the winner holds a Group 2 entry so, with the likelihood of more to come, she is taken to go one place better. Belardo Ace has been done no favours by the draw but he enters calculations nonetheless, and don't underestimate Metamouse because he showed up well for a long way at Chepstow.
This is competitive and only a tentative vote can go to HOME HERO, who shaped with real promise when third to subsequent Epsom winner Folk Pageant over C&D on his seasonal return. Silver State actually finished closer to that rival on the Downs and is 5lb well-in, but he was always well positioned and probably needs a bit more now. Windsor scorer Morbeh might be the bigger threat, with Asia Force, Simon Pierre and Mr Seagull all making varying levels of appeal too.
Showcasing Star makes his handicap and turf debut after finishing second on all three starts, leading two out at Newcastle before weakening late on. He can go well, as can Redcar third Norman Invasion, but DARTREY could be the one. Three times a Southwell scorer early in the year, he tried to make all at Windsor before finishing last, but a change of tactics could see him back to winning ways.
Berkshire Boom returns to the course where he won last July, but he was well beaten at Lingfield last month and a 3lb drop in the handicap may not be enough. Abundant wasn't disgraced on his first start of the year when fourth at Windsor and he can go well, although MISS LADY GRACE is hard to oppose. An easy winner at Goodwood last week, she is due to go up 9lb for future contests and could take the rise in class in her stride.
Patagonia Girl ticks boxes as a C&D winner and she can be forgiven her latest effort when last of seven in a Group 3 at Carlisle. Star Cast is a model of consistency with a top-three finish on her last five starts and is likely to enter calculations, but the vote goes to WINGED ONE. Andrew Balding's filly was unable to land a blow in a Listed contest at Goodwood but she wasn't disgraced in the Cheshire Oaks and the switch to handicap company, for a yard who have a fine record on the Roodee, may see her bounce back.
Gelded after placing in a couple of maidens on the all-weather, NEBULON made a pleasing handicap debut at Newmarket. The son of Starman finished strongly for second and looks on a handy mark if the first-time tongue strap has the desired effect. Dolos Dream made every yard over the minimum trip at Pontefract on her reappearance. However, she faces a tougher task under a penalty and Start Me Up could prove a bigger threat.
Both Coolree and Military Leader missed out on hat-tricks on their latest starts. The former is preferred having finished a creditable second at Beverley, but DAPPER GEE GEE could edge a tight contest. Tony Carroll's charge won over 7f at Chepstow before finding only one too good on testing ground back at the same venue and the son of Ardad looks worthy of another chance off the same mark.
This isn't the easiest track to ride and the presence of the top amateur on LORD CAPULET is enough to make him the most likely winner given the horse is in excellent form and still well handicapped. King's School is the main danger having produced a game effort to win last time. Moon Beginnings ran better last time fitted with cheekpieces and is probably third best.
The newcomers don't really appeal here and it looks like a useful opportunity for LADY BRANKSOME to get off the mark after two decent efforts and some progress last time. Belardo Ace could be the main danger having run a nice race last time and Metamouse might make up the frame after a solid debut.
This is a tight handicap. Preference is just for MORBEH who is steadily progressive and from a top yard though the drop back to 10f is a worry. Silver State looks the biggest danger being in excellent form and the class act in the race and Home Hero ran well on his handicap debut and could come on from that reappearance run.
The ones that look nicely handicapped are in the main poorly drawn here making this quite tricky. Cool Molly ran well here on her penultimate start and should be considered and Crazee Icon was a little unlucky when well backed at Newmarket last time, but preference is for VIDMIYR who is in excellent form and on a good mark. Clearly his wide draw tempers enthusiasm.
MISS LADY GRACE won going away by a good margin at Goodwood last time and with no penalty looks thrown-in here. She is hard to oppose. The Resdev Scholar is probably the biggest danger. He's normally reliable but does need to be forgiven a below par effort in a tough race at York last time. Abundant can also threaten having run well on his seasonal debut and entitled to improve for it.
This is a very tricky handicap with a number of them having had a go in Pattern company and possibly better than they have shown so far. Model Yuko is perhaps the most significant of those back in a handicap for her top stable after being well held in Listed company on her final start of 2025. A tentative choice is QUEBELLA who ran well on her seasonal debut, looks nicely weighted on best form of last season and is entitled to come on from her reappearance run. Star Cast is consistent and a danger and a similar remark applies to Room Fourteen.
A whole bunch of these are in good form and entitled to go close. Dolos Dream is a tough competitor and gradually improving so should figure and Explosive Finnish is ultra-consistent and remains fairly handicapped. Preference though is for NEBULON, who ran well on his handicap debut last time and is fitted with a tongue-tie here which presumably is expected to eke out a little improvement.
A tight contest to close the card. DAPPER GEE GEE is in good form and just preferred over Oman who won a touch cosily last time but in an apprentice race that may not be that reliable and Coolree who just failed to land a hat-trick last time and races off just a pound higher mark here.
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