Race Overview

The Chester Plate, a consolation for the Chester Cup, is run over the same marathon trip. This year’s renewal features a competitive field of stayers, with the pace forecast to be even – suggesting a fair test, though positioning can be crucial around Chester’s tight turns. The draw is less important over this trip, but race tactics and fitness remain key.


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Leading Contenders

ARTISAN DANCER (TFR 91) – Charlie Johnston Won at Ripon last time, overcoming a positional disadvantage and beating Surrey Belle by a head. Carries a 4 lb penalty but shaped as if more to come now upped in trip again. Proven on good ground and adaptable tactically. Remains unexposed over extreme distances.

SURREY BELLE (TFR 90) – Adrian Keatley Runner-up to Artisan Dancer 13 days ago when having the run of the race. That was a return to form after a spell over hurdles and she remains a reliable front-runner. Stays 2m and has previous course form. Market support would be notable given her profile.

TAILORMAN (TFR 90) – Ian Williams Another last-time eyecatcher, staying on well from a troubled passage at Nottingham. Stays well and looks the pick of the Ian Williams trio on current form. Still relatively lightly raced and handles a range of surfaces.


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Main Dangers

GIBSIDE (TFR 89) – Tim Easterby Course scorer with solid staying form from last summer. Flopped on second start of the year at Southwell but better judged on prior efforts. Has run well at Chester before, and the yard is in form.

LAW OF THE SEA (TFR 89+) – Ian Williams Talented but inconsistent. Has mixed codes between the Flat and hurdles. Well-handicapped on old form (was rated in the 90s) and third in this race last year. Absence of 147 days is a concern, so check the market.

ZIMMERMAN (TFR 89) – Tim Easterby Course winner who was behind Artisan Dancer at Ripon but may come on for that run after 7 months off. Consistent type when fit and best watched in the prelims for signs of sharpness.


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Interesting Outsiders

DREAMS ADOZEN (TFR 88) – Charlie Johnston Course winner with a prominent style suited to Chester. Below form on latest start but had excuses. Likely to be ridden forward again and Oisin Murphy booked. Could get an uncontested lead if Surrey Belle doesn’t press early.

ZEALANDIA (TFR 85) – Ian Williams Hard to catch right and returns from 112 days off, but has won off similar breaks in the past. Trip and ground fine, though temperament flagged.


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Trainer Trends

Ian Williams has run multiple horses in this in recent years, winning with Alphonse Le Grande (Chester Cup) last year and hitting the frame here.

Charlie Johnston (formerly joint licence with Mark) has a good record with stayers and Artisan Dancer looks to be a deliberate placement.



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Trends and Notables

Last 5 winners were aged 4 to 6.

Each of the last 4 winners carried 9st 8lb or less.

4 of the last 5 had run within 16 days of the race.

Market support for Law Of The Sea or Zealandia would be significant given their lay-offs.



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Summary

Top Pick: ARTISAN DANCER – lightly raced over staying trips and did well to win latest. May improve further.

Main Dangers: SURREY BELLE (solid yardstick, well drawn), TAILORMAN (shaped nicely on return), GIBSIDE (back at a favoured venue).

Interesting Each-Way: DREAMS ADOZEN – course winner with strong pace profile; well drawn in stall 11 and could surprise if allowed to dictate.