The pick of the prices at Chester....

Wednesday, 8th May 2024

The pick of the prices at Chester….

Win, lose or draw, I’m never frightened to swing the bat at a price next time out….

…. if I can make the case….

…. and I like the 16s about CHANGEOFMIND in the CAA Stellar Handicap at Chester tomorrow (1.30)….

On racecourse debut back in June 2022….

…. Declan Carrol’s charge broke the juvenile time record over tomorrow’s course and distance when winning his maiden….

…. beating a decent yardstick in Richard Hannon’s Silencer – now officially rated 93….

…. making all from the front and running the tight Chester bends like he was on a rail….

Next time out at Catterick – in his first start as a 3yo in April last year – he defied a 7lb penalty….

… beating Tawalla – who won his next two – by three lengths and earning an RPR of 96…. 

The wheels came off at that point….

…. he was well beaten the next twice in Listed events at York – sent off favourite in the first of those….

He hasn’t been seen since the last of those assignments in mid-July last term….

…. and he could well have had a problem….

…. he certainly underwent a gelding procedure shortly after that last run….

It’s interesting that he starts back this term on a track we know he likes on ground that will suit….

…. he’s open to loads more progression than most of the exposed types he’s up against….

…. and he could still be very nicely handicapped on an official rating of 92….

Connections liked him a lot before his two defeats at York….

…. but – dropping back in class to handicap level tomorrow – he’s priced-up like he’s gone at the game….

He perhaps has a little to prove and he’ll have to do the proving first time up….

…. but he won on seasonal debut last term and I think he’s a generous e/w price on this track and with so much potential for improvement….

Bottom line: I’m happy to open the shoulders and swing the bat….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my picks for Friday….

Meantime – Contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd