Summer Saturday

The British heatwave continued onto Summer Saturday at Chester Racecourse, with plenty of red-hot handicaps to enjoy in the sunshine. The feature race of the day came in the John Smith’s Handicap (Class 3) at 4:10pm, with ground riding Good (Good to Firm in places).

Race 1 – EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race) (Class 4, 2yo, 6f)

Making the long trip up north a worthwhile one, Song Of The Clyde (100/30) put in a smart performance to take the opener under Joe Fanning, edging home by ¾ of a length for trainer Clive Cox. Awkward out of the stalls, Song Of The Clyde was forced to race out wide in the early stages, circling the field to challenge Angel Of Anfield (8/13F) for the lead through the halfway point. Nudged along to keep tabs with the leader, Song Of The Clyde soon got to within a neck around the home turn, the leading pair now coming a couple of lengths clear into the straight. Ridden along more vigorously but always in command, Song Of The Clyde took over in the final furlong, running on nicely to win a shade cosily near the finish. Always reliable, 54-year-old Joe Fanning is now into his 37^th season as a rider and has ridden over 2,700 winners since 1988!

Race 2 – John Smith’s Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 3, 3yo+, 7 ½f)

Another to overhaul a short-priced favourite, Mister Winston (13/8) finally had his consistency rewarded when successful in Race 2, running out a comfortable 2 ¼ length winner for Jason Watson and Andrew Balding. Keen through the opening half mile, Mister Winston kept close tabs on Red Vines (125/1) and Circios (8/13F) for the most part, racing away from the rail as the home turn came into view. Gliding past a weakening Red Vines with two furlongs to run, Mister Winston soon looked to be travelling best of all as Circios led the field into the home straight, travelling up to the outside of the leader and breaking away from the chasing pack. Responding well for pressure, Mister Winston showed a lovely turn of foot in the final furlong, zipping away from Circios in the closing stages to provide Jason Watson with his 36^th winner of the season!

Race 3 – Manor Car Hire Handicap (Class 3, 3yo+, 6f)

Putting recent course experience to good use, Alzahir (100/30JF) returned an impressive victor of the third race, pushed out by George Wood to score by 1 ½ lengths for trainer Jennie Candlish. Fastest away from the gates, Alzahir found a perfect prominent position through the opening couple of furlongs, racing in the slipstream of Cinque Verde (10/1) ahead of course winners Flaming Rib (9/2) and Balon d’Or (16/1). Travelling with ease and ranging up to the leader with just two furlongs to go, the eye was immediately drawn to Alzahir around the final bend, and after coming under a strong ride a furlong from home, the consistent 5-year-old put in a strong late run to see off the challengers in determined style. A dependable pilot, George Wood already has an enviable CV, having won the Cambridgeshire Handicap aboard Dolphin Vista in 2017!

Race 4 – Horseradish Catering & Events Handicap (Class 5, 3yo+, 1m 4 ½f)

A classic Charlie Johnston stayer, Ghaiyya (15/8F) showcased excellent battling qualities to hold on to a narrow victory in the fourth race, coming home ½ a length in front to provide Joe Fanning with a double. Sneaking through up the inside rail, it didn’t take long for Ghaiyya to find her way to the front, dictating the pace for the majority of the contest ahead of Bulldog Spirit (11/4) and Arcturus Flame (5/1) through the opening mile. Still on the bridle and travelling like a winner, Ghaiyya looked comfortable out in front with two furlongs to go, swinging around the home turn as Bulldog Spirit went off in pursuit. Ridden along more firmly when Bulldog Spirit reached her quarters, Ghaiyya galloped on resolutely in the final furlong, finding just enough towards the line to secure a taking victory. A team known for stout stayers, the Johnston yard’s Lazy Griff has also placed in the Chester Vase, Epsom Derby, and Irish Derby this season!

Race 5 – John Smith’s Handicap (Class 3, 3yo, 7f)

So often the bridesmaid, Mayday Malone (12/1) pulled out all the stops to record his first victory under rules in Race 5, ridden out by Jay Mackay to score by a head for trainer Michael Bell. Breaking away smartly, Mayday Malone found himself in a prominent position from the outset, racing wide of Milford (13/2) and Sweet Fantastic (6/1) in front rank as market leader Cosi Bello (2/1F) stuck to the inside rail. Moving sweetly under Jay Mackay, Mayday Malone moved up to challenge the leaders around the home turn, still racing widest of all as the field swung into the home straight. Now in the clear and galloping on straight and true, Mayday Malone took full advantage in the final furlong and a half, always doing enough to see off the challengers and provide young apprentice Jay Mackay with her first ever winner on the Roodee!

Race 6 – Going Is Good Handicap (Class 5, 4yo+, 2m)

Placed here three times in the past, Tailorman (5/1) finally had his day in the sun when coming home a stylish winner of the sixth race, pushed clear by 1 ¼ lengths to land the spoils for Andrew Mullen and Ian Williams. Not taking kindly to the sedate pace set by Show No Fear (9/1) in the early stages, Mullen brought Tailorman out wide to quickly move from the back to the front of the field through the halfway point, joining the leader as Addosh (9/1) pulled her way around the outside under Shay Farmer. Soon left in front as Addosh was taken out of harm’s way, Tailorman rounded the home turn around a length to the good, nudged along to maintain the lead. Ridden along but ultimately with too much in the tank, Tailorman was relentless in the final furlong, galloping on strongly to see off a staying-on Marbuzet (7/1) in second. On the rise, Ian Williams achieved a career best season in 2024, training 77 winners across flat and jumps!

Race 7 – Next Up July Music Weekend EBF Fillies’ Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3, 3yo+, 1m 2 ½f)

Off the mark at Salisbury two weeks prior, Patagonia Girl (2/1F) repeated the trick to take the finale in fine style under Richard Kingscote, crossing the line 2 ¼ lengths to the good for trainer Hugo Palmer. Held up in the early stages, Patagonia Girl was given a patient ride throughout the seventh race, sticking to the inside rail in the slipstream of Alessia Fernanda (12/1) as Lady La Fay (7/2) led them home. Travelling easily with just over two furlongs to go, it seemed only a matter of time before Kingscote turned on the turbo, biding his time aboard Patagonia Girl as he waited for the gaps to appear. Rewarded for his patience, Kingscote was gifted a perfect seam upon entering the straight, guiding his mount through to lead and merely having to push her clear in the closing stages. Riding the crest of a wave at present, Richard Kingscote also had a winner at Royal Ascot last week, winning aboard Time For Sandals in the Commonwealth Cup!

Race report by Adam Perkins