Flat Racing - Sunday 3rd August

[robertob]

15.05 Chester - Queensferry Stakes (Listed): The field decimated through the going change and now down to seven runners, seems quite an open race. Favourite Ertijaal looked promising as a juvenile and when he returned racing in spring this year with two impressive performances on the all-Weather. He didn't get the trip in the 2.000 Guineas and probably did too much too early in the Bunbury Cup at Newbury. He remains an interesting prospect and the drop in trip might help him to settle. Despite his decent recent performance on similar ground, I'm not convinced that he can show his best with cut in the ground, so the rain must count against him, even though the track will probably very much suit. On all that evidence I need to oppose him at his quite short price tag. Dinkum Diamond is ground independent an won a Listed race over 6f in soft conditions last season. He ran with credit in the Group 3 Coral Charge the last time and the drop in class will help him. I still believe the shorter 5f is more ideal for him, but on form he must have a fine chance here. However what counts against him is the weight. He gives it away all around and that doesn't make it an easy task. Ballista goes well at Chester but prefers a quicker surface ideally, there is also no too much in his form that suggests that is he is quite up to this standard required to win this at the moment. The only remaining filly in the race, Body And Soul makes more appeal. She was too keen in a Group 3 at Newcastle last time out, but ran with loads of credit in her two outings in hot class 2 Handicaps before. She is ground independent, but her best performance to date came in Listed company over 6f in soft conditions. That says this test today should suit, so should the sharp track. Bommerang Bob is a consistent sort, but his winning record is poor. The conditions of this particular race today quite suit though, and another good run is likely. If that is enough to prevail is another question. Intransigent is better on the All-weather and this test here seems unlikely to suit him. Three year old Coulsty is a Listed winner, however over 7f on quick ground. It remains to be seen if he can show his best over shorter at this sharp track with underfoot conditions. Verdict: Hard to predict what happens. Ertijaal has the class if he can show his best over the shorter trip with cut in the ground, but the value seems proven filly Body And Soul. She is a Listed winner over this trip and ground and the track could suit perfectly. She must have a big chance and seems a big price. --- Body And Soul @ 13/2 William Hill - 3pts win

[robertob]

Re: Flat Racing - Sunday 3rd August 16.45 Chester - Class 4 Handicap: Another small field but also a very competitive little Handicap. Head of the market is English Summer, who is in excellent form lately and loves this track. He won back in June over course and distance in similar ground conditions and was not beaten far over bit further recently at Haydock. He has an obvious chance and might be able to pull out a bit more. His mark off 80 doesn't make it an easy task, nonetheless he is capable of running very much to this rating of course. The only three year old in the race, Notarised is another who is in with a big chance. He likes to lead and ran with credit in his recent starts. This sharp track can suit, even though he still has to prove that he really can stay thus far. On the weights he is an obvious chance if he can hit the mark off his current mark over this trip. Cool Sky returns to the level for a new yard. New trainer Ian Williams has his string in fine form and ha a 20% strike rate at this track in the last twelve month, which makes the five year old gelding an interesting runner. He did well enough over obstacles and was a progressive horse on the flat before too. He won a couple of races on the All-Weather his last start on the flat last June was a successful one over 14f of a mark off 81. Potentially there is still a bit of improvement left and he could be a bit better than his current mark. The sharp track should suit and with loads of pace in the race, he might find ideal conditions today. Spanish Plume loves the track, but the ground is a major worry. Rio's Rosanna is difficult to assess on recent form, however if she is fit and well, she wouldn't be without a chance. Verdict: The two towards the head of the market have excellent chances, but further improvement is already reflected in their prices. Cool Sky in contrast could still be a bit better now back on the flat and with conditions in favour might explore his current mark. For all of that he seems too big in the betting market. --- Cool Sky @ 13/2 William Hill - 2pts win