Preview of Chester's behind closed doors Saturday meeting

Chester Racecourse stages a competitive seven-race card on Saturday.
Chester racecourseChester racecourse
Chester racecourse

The opening race is at 1.30pm, with the finale at 4.50pm on the Roodee. We have previewed all of the action with stats and analysis, which includes two races that will be shown live on ITV.

The feature race of the day is the £38,000 Listed Stand Cup Stakes (2.05pm) over 12-furlongs. A small but select field of five go to post for the contest and they are headed by the improving Universal Order for David Simcock.

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The four-year-old was a gutsy winner on his first start season in a Listed event at Newmarket, before his stamina looked stretched over 14-furlongs in a Group Three event at York last time out. Given plenty of time off since then, he remains unexposed and capable of further progression.

Alignak was not disgraced behind St Leger candidate Hukum in the Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last time out. Previously second in Listed company at Haydock, this trip looks to be his optimum and he holds leading claims for Sir Michael Stoute.

Evergreen seven-year-old Morando was fourth in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury, but soft ground would be in his favour, whilst he also boasts winning form at the track, having captured the Ormonde Stakes in May, 2019.

Hereby has finished third on both of his starts this season, including when behind Doncaster Cup contender Spanish Mission in a Listed event at Chester over a slightly longer trip last time out.

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The drop back down to 12-furlongs promises to be in his favour and he is not discounted here. Time Voyage completes the quintet, but takes a big step up in grade having finished second in a low-grade handicap at Ripon last time out.

The £20,000 10-furlong handicap (2.40pm) is also live on ITV and looks a fascinating event. Top-weight Maydanny is impeccably bred and cost 1.35 million guineas, but has struggled to live up to his price tag. He captured a competitive handicap at Goodwood in July, but was bitterly disappointing on his latest start at York. However, he clearly has a magnificent pedigree and has to be respected here.

Restorer runs in the colours of Marwan Koukash who loves having runners on the Roodee. He boasts winning course and distance form at the track and was a good second on his latest start at Chester in August.

Lawn Ranger bounded clear of a subsequent winner to score at Chester on his latest start and has to be of interest for Epsom trainer Michael Attwater if he can reproduce that form here.

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Victory Chime is unexposed having scored at Windsor in August before finishing a good fourth upped in class on his latest start.

Be More boasts plenty of excellent form, including when taking out a competitive handicap at Sandown in July. He struggled on his latest start and needs to rediscover his best form, whilst recent Newcastle second Prejudice is improving with every run and also warrants a mention.

Elsewhere, top-weight Mancini could prove tough to beat in the 3.15pm following a smart win at Sandown last time out, whilst Selected, a good third in a competitive event at York last time out should go close in the 3.45pm if replicating that form in this event.

Chester Saturday Selections

1:30pm: Harmony Lil

2:05pm: Alignak

2:40pm: Maydanny

3:15pm: Mancini

3:45pm: Selected

4:20pm: Bossipop

4:50: Fox Kasper

Tips and analysis via BettingExpert

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