TimeWise Chronicles

Chester; The following details the Master Top Two rated horses (based on TIMEWISE MASTER RATING) for each race at Chester, presented in chronological order, along with a summary of their recent form, supplied comments, the Spotlight Verdict, and an assessment of their chances.

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1.55 Chester: CVAM Limited Nursery Handicap (Class 5, 7f)

(Good To Soft, 9 runners, Win: £7,731)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
1Dubai Time24968, 34, 13, 8, 6
2Thehunnebelllegacy22065, 30, 11, 8, 5

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Dubai Time (2yo): Her form figures (LR 68) show continuous running this season. The Spotlight notes that trainer Hugo Palmer considers her one of his two interesting contenders in this race.
  • Thehunnebelllegacy (2yo): This filly is 0-5. Her last two starts resulted in close finishes in Southwell nurseries (6f, AW), including a fourth place in a 14-runner race. She is highly regarded by the Spotlight reviewer, who notes she has shaped as though the new trip of 7f should suit her.

Spotlight Verdict (1.55 Chester):
Go Victor was a good second at Haydock last time and has claims if he can back that up. The Hunnebelllegacy has finished close up in both her nurseries and is respected at this new trip, while Hugo Palmer has two interesting contenders in Dubai Time and Looks Likely. However, the vote goes to nursery newcomer CRAZEE ICON who improved with each of her three qualifying runs and is bred to be better than this opening mark.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Dubai Time:
    • Strengths: Highest rated runner and runs for a trainer with a good record, noted as an “interesting contender”.
    • Weaknesses: Finished down the field on slower ground at Carlisle 11 days ago and is still 3lb higher than for her only win.
    • Suitability: Needs to raise her performance at this new distance (7f).
  • Thehunnebelllegacy:
    • Strengths: Has shown consistency in recent nursery outings. The increase to 7f is anticipated to suit her.
    • Weaknesses: Remains a maiden (0-5) and rated 29 points lower than the top selection.
    • Suitability: Suitable, especially given the expectation that the longer trip will unlock further potential.

2.30 Chester: Nashville Soccer Club EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (GBB Race, 6f)

(Good To Soft, 6 runners, Win: £7,731)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
1Yorkshire Queen25975, 33, 0, 0, 0
2Callahan24363, 0, 0, 0, 0

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Yorkshire Queen (2yo): Showed improvement on debut at Southwell but faded into a well-held fifth. She subsequently ran well but was a fading fourth of seven at Haydock (6f, good) two weeks ago. She needs to step up after that latest run.
  • Callahan (2yo): This expensive 180,000gns breeze-up purchase ran well for a long way before finishing third of nine on her Wolverhampton debut. She sets the standard based on that form and is expected to progress on this drop in trip (from 7f to 6f). She is considered a key player.

Spotlight Verdict (2.30 Chester):
This can go to the well-related CALLAHAN, who cost 180,000gns at a breeze-up sale in April and showed plenty of promise with her debut third at Wolverhampton two weeks ago. She sets the standard on that form and is open to progress on this drop in trip. The main threat could come from the striking newcomer Hello It’s Me, who is a half-sister to a Group 2 winner and represents a yard with a 23% record with 2yos here this season.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Yorkshire Queen:
    • Strengths: Holds the highest TimeWise Master rating. Has previous experience over this distance.
    • Weaknesses: Her latest run saw her fade and suggests she needs to improve significantly.
    • Suitability: Competent based on initial form, but confidence is slightly diminished by her fading effort last time out.
  • Callahan:
    • Strengths: Strong debut form sets the standard. Excellent pedigree and high price tag suggest significant potential for improvement. Favoured by the Spotlight Verdict.
    • Weaknesses: Rated 16 points lower than Yorkshire Queen.
    • Suitability: Highly suitable, particularly as the drop in trip is expected to aid her progress.

3.05 Chester: CAA Stellar Selling Stakes (Class 4, 7½f)

(Good To Soft, 8 runners, Win: £7,731)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
T1Al Shabab Storm28068, 29, 26, 10, 9
2Empirestateofmind (IRE)27966, 44, 19, 12, 5

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Al Shabab Storm (4yo): Has significant class form, including a Listed win at Chester (7f, good to soft) last July and a Group 3 win in Germany (6f, soft). His mixed record for his current stable includes a close run off a high handicap mark (109) over C&D last time. He is deemed highly effective on soft ground.
  • Empirestateofmind (IRE) (7yo): Won at Ayr two starts ago. He maintains a high TimeWise Master rating.

Spotlight Verdict (3.05 Chester):
AL SHABAB STORM should be hard to beat on these terms and he is very effective on soft ground. Empirestateofmind, who won at Ayr two starts ago, is feared most.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Al Shabab Storm:
    • Strengths: Highest rated. Proven Listed/Group 3 class. Highly suitable for the soft ground conditions and significantly drops in grade for this Selling Stakes, presenting a golden opportunity.
    • Weaknesses: Mixed recent record.
    • Suitability: Excellent. Class edge and ground preference make him the strong favourite in the Spotlight Verdict.
  • Empirestateofmind (IRE):
    • Strengths: High TimeWise rating and is in recent winning form (two starts ago at Ayr).
    • Weaknesses: Rated marginally below Al Shabab Storm.
    • Suitability: Suitable, considered the main danger to the top selection.

3.40 Chester: Racing Welfare Handicap (Class 4, 5½f)

(Good To Soft, 10 runners, Win: £7,731)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
1Ventura Express26374, 35, 20, 8, 6
2Paws For Thought (IRE)25580, 23, 19, 9, 5

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Ventura Express (8yo): Recent form figures indicate consistency. He is described as the in-form 8yo contender by the Spotlight reviewer.
  • Paws For Thought (IRE) (7yo): This horse is a five-time course winner. His form shows strong recent performance (LR 80). He was a creditable third here just seven days ago.

Spotlight Verdict (3.40 Chester):
The vote goes to ELITE STATUS, who is well handicapped on his best form since his last success and is a big player if he can build on that last run. Five-time course winner Paws For Thought was a creditable third here seven days ago and he’s feared most, ahead of the in-form 8yo Ventura Express.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Ventura Express:
    • Strengths: Top-rated by TimeWise and is in recent good form (“in-form 8yo”).
    • Weaknesses: Rated slightly below Paws For Thought in the LR (Latest Rating) score (74 vs 80).
    • Suitability: Likely to be competitive given his current form and high rating.
  • Paws For Thought (IRE):
    • Strengths: Excellent course record (five wins). Ran creditably just seven days ago (third place).
    • Weaknesses: Rated 8 points below Ventura Express overall.
    • Suitability: Highly suitable due to proven course record and fitness.

4.15 Chester: Deepbridge Capital Handicap (Class 3, 5f)

(Good To Soft, 8 runners, Win: £15,462)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
1Jer Batt (IRE)31093, 41, 23, 12, 8
2Rosenpur (GER)29779, 33, 24, 7, 9

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Jer Batt (IRE) (5yo): His last run saw him third of eight at Catterick off a 5lb lower mark. He showed commitment and possibly has “some room for manoeuvre” off his current handicap rating. He is noted as entering the reckoning.
  • Rosenpur (GER) (5yo): No specific recent comments supplied in the spotlight for this horse, aside from being the second highest-rated runner.

Spotlight Verdict (4.15 Chester):
With several pacesetters involved this could set up for a closer and the vote goes to MAHARAJAS EXPRESS, who has form figures of 11224922313 since February and that last win was over C&D. Smart Vision is another key player in a strong race at the weights at Chester, while Jer Batt also enters the reckoning.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Jer Batt (IRE):
    • Strengths: Clear top TimeWise rating and demonstrated recent good form when giving a “good shot”.
    • Weaknesses: Raised in the weights compared to his strong Catterick run.
    • Suitability: Suitable, holds top class rating and recent form indicates potential competitiveness.
  • Rosenpur (GER):
    • Strengths: Holds a strong TimeWise rating (297).
    • Weaknesses: Lack of explicit recent commentary in the sources makes judging his exact current suitability challenging.
    • Suitability: Based on rating, he belongs in this Class 3 race.

4.45 Chester: Tribal Society Handicap (Class 5, 1m6½f)

(Good To Soft, 14 runners, Win: £7,731)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
T1Dino Bellagio25374, 23, 22, 9, 6
T1Solar Pass25377, 31, 10, 10, 5

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Dino Bellagio (6yo): Form figures show consistent running. He is noted as being still unexposed on the Flat and is expected to go well on this drop back in trip and grade.
  • Solar Pass (3yo): A lightly raced 3yo, he won a maiden (1m, AW) in January and has been runner-up in three of his five handicaps. This includes a recent good second place at Salisbury (1m6f, good to soft) last month. He should have more to offer at staying trips and is listed as an interesting contender and the Spotlight’s second choice.

Spotlight Verdict (4.45 Chester):
Top of the list is NO MORE BOLERO (nap), who was only just caught off a reduced mark here last Friday and has leading claims on this drop back in trip. Second choice is Andrew Balding’s 3yo Solar Pass, who was a good second when upped to 1m6f at Salisbury three weeks ago. Most of the others come with risks attached, but Dino Bellagio is still unexposed on the Flat and could go well on this drop back in trip and grade.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Dino Bellagio:
    • Strengths: Shares the highest TimeWise rating. Potential for improvement due to being unexposed on the Flat.
    • Weaknesses: Needs to prove competitive in this grade.
    • Suitability: Suitable, with the drop in grade and trip potentially advantageous.
  • Solar Pass:
    • Strengths: Shares the highest TimeWise rating. Strong recent form finishing second in a similar staying handicap. As a lightly raced 3yo, he is expected to have further progression over staying distances. Favoured as the second choice by the Spotlight.
    • Weaknesses: None explicitly mentioned; strong contender.
    • Suitability: Highly suitable, demonstrating competence at the trip and having scope for improvement.

5.20 Chester: Lord Mayors Fireworks Extravaganza Handicap (GBBPlus Race, 1m2½f)

(Good To Soft, 9 runners, Win: £10,308)

RankHorseTimeWise Master TotalRecent Form (LR, 2LR, 3LR, 4LR, 5LR)
1Jupiter Ammon (IRE)28383, 32, 20, 9, 7
2Asteverdi27279, 30, 20, 13, 7

Summary of Recent Form and Supplied Comments:

  • Jupiter Ammon (IRE) (3yo): Remains a maiden after six starts. However, he showed strong form when going close on his handicap debut at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) in July. He followed this up with a good run in novice company at Goodwood (1m2f, heavy) and is evidently versatile regarding ground. He is expected to be competitive.
  • Asteverdi (4yo): No specific recent comments supplied in the spotlight for this horse, aside from his high ranking on the TimeWise Master Total.

Spotlight Verdict (5.20 Chester):
A few of these have possibilities but BAIKAL seemed to have a bit left in the tank when making a winning handicap debut on Tapeta this month and could be very hard to beat if he handles this switch to turf. Empire Of Light (second choice) looked unlucky when fourth at Musselburgh on Sunday and makes a quick reappearance off the same mark. Imperial Trooper ran surprisingly well on his recent stable debut and also has claims, along with Jupiter Ammon.

Assessment of Master Top Two Chances:

  • Jupiter Ammon (IRE):
    • Strengths: Top-rated on TimeWise ratings. Proven capability in handicaps and good form on soft/heavy ground indicates high suitability for conditions.
    • Weaknesses: Still a maiden after six runs.
    • Suitability: Highly suitable given his demonstrated versatility regarding ground and competitive handicap/novice form.
  • Asteverdi:
    • Strengths: Solid TimeWise rating.
    • Weaknesses: No recent commentary suggests specific appeal or issues for this particular race.
    • Suitability: Based on rating, he is a significant contender in this Class 4 field.

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