3:52 Chester
This Class 2 handicap over the extended 7f at Chester on good ground brings together ten useful performers, several with strong course form and others stepping up or down in trip. The KTB Fit scores are tightly bunched at the top, with The Strikin Viking heading the numerical ratings on 69, closely followed by Power Fizz on 65 and Roman Dragon on 64. First-time headgear features on four runners while the strong pace anticipated should play into the hands of those capable of producing their effort from off the pace.
How the race shapes up
With two or more habitual front-runners declared, the pace shape is strongly positive and the race is expected to be run at a searching gallop that could leave the leaders vulnerable in the closing stages. Power Fizz and Khafiz are the most likely to take the field along from their respective stalls, while the majority of the field, including the selection, prefer to be held up. The key question is whether the early speed will collapse late, allowing the hold-up horses to pick up the pieces in the final furlong.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1The Strikin Viking KTB Selection69/100Useful performer who has shown enough at this track to suggest he can be competitive from stall 4.
- 2Power Fizz65/100Power Fizz is a useful performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins this year.
- 3Roman Dragon64/100Roman Dragon is a useful performer with a strong record at this track, winning six of his 19 starts here.
- 4Dance In The Storm62/100Useful performer who has won both starts at this trip and on good ground.
- 5Palmar Bay60/100Useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track.
- 6Korker54/100Korker is a fair performer who has been out of form this year with a string of modest efforts.
- 7Khafiz54/100Useful sort who has run creditably in several strong handicaps and looks well treated on that form.
- 8The Angel King48/100The Angel King is a fair performer who has won once over today's trip from five attempts.
- 9Monarch's Gold46/100Useful performer who has run well at this track once before when second over a mile.
- 10Miami Matrix39/100Miami Matrix is a fair performer who has won twice at this track from seven runs and also has three wins from eleven starts at today's 7f trip.
The contenders
The Strikin Viking KTB Fit 69/100
The Strikin Viking arrives as the KTB selection with a Fit score of 69. A useful performer, he has shown enough at Chester to suggest he can be competitive from stall 4, having finished third on his only previous start here. The yard posts a 17% strike rate at the track with an A/E of 1.57 from six runs, which adds encouragement, although he is yet to win or place from three starts on good ground. Stepping up to 7f for the first time today, he is held up and usually produces his effort late. First-time headgear is now applied as he bids to capitalise on a strong pace that should suit his run-style.
Power Fizz KTB Fit 65/100
Power Fizz is a useful performer with a solid recent record that includes two wins this year and carries a KTB Fit score of 65. He steps up from 6f to a trip he has won over three times from six attempts, while his record on good ground reads one win and two places from three starts. William Haggas has a 26% strike rate at Chester from 178 runs and Cieren Fallon, who has a 19% strike rate here, takes the ride. The horse tends to make the running or race on the pace and makes his first start at the track. In a race with a strong pace likely, his prominent run-style could leave him vulnerable if the leaders fold late.
Roman Dragon KTB Fit 64/100
Roman Dragon is a useful performer with a strong record at this track, winning six of his 19 starts here, and is rated 64 on KTB Fit. He has placed at today's trip but is yet to win over it from nine attempts, while his recent form of 018009 shows mixed results. Dropping in class, he is held up and usually produces his effort late. First-time headgear is now applied as he returns from a spell off. Hugo Palmer has a 17% strike rate at Chester from 302 runs and David Probert rides; the seven-year-old's course prowess makes him a definite contender if the strong pace materialises in his favour.
Dance In The Storm KTB Fit 62/100
Dance In The Storm is a useful performer who has won both starts at this trip and on good ground, carrying a KTB Fit score of 62. Chester clearly suits as he scored here on his only previous visit and Andrew Balding has a 21% strike rate at the track from 625 runs. Oisin Murphy takes the ride, though the jockey has a 14% strike rate here from 155 rides. Usually held up, he will be looking to benefit from the anticipated strong pace. First-time headgear is the main unknown as he bids to add to his promising start at the venue.
Palmar Bay KTB Fit 60/100
Palmar Bay is a useful performer who has won over this trip and at this track, posting a KTB Fit score of 60. He has been below par in his last three starts and looks vulnerable from stall five in a competitive race. Dropping in class, Ralph Beckett has an 18% strike rate at Chester from 192 runs while Harry Vigors rides for the first time here. The five-year-old is held up and usually produces his effort late. He has one win from four starts on good ground and one win from three course starts, which keeps him in the picture.
The rest of the field
KorkerKTB Fit 54/100
Korker is a fair performer who has been out of form this year with a string of modest efforts. He has only run once at Chester where he finished sixth and has never won at this trip in three attempts. K. R. Burke has a 9% strike rate at the track from 159 runs.
KhafizKTB Fit 54/100
Khafiz is a useful sort who has run creditably in several strong handicaps and looks well treated on that form. He drops back to his winning trip having last been seen over a mile and acts on good ground. This is his first visit to Chester and Roger Fell has an 8% strike rate here from 49 runs.
The Angel KingKTB Fit 48/100
The Angel King is a fair performer who has won once over today's trip from five attempts. He showed little at this track on his only visit and his recent form has been patchy at best. Ian Williams has a 9% strike rate here from 494 runs.
Monarch's GoldKTB Fit 46/100
Monarch's Gold is a useful performer who has run well at this track once before when second over a mile. Dropping back to 7f asks a fresh question today and the recent form has been a bit up and down. Kevin Philippart De Foy has a 9% strike rate here from 22 runs.
Miami MatrixKTB Fit 39/100
Miami Matrix is a fair performer who has won twice at this track from seven runs and also has three wins from eleven starts at today's 7f trip. Stepping up in class, he drops back in distance after his last run over 7½f. Patrick Morris has a modest 1% strike rate at Chester from 133 runs and first-time headgear is now tried.
KTB verdict
The Strikin Viking is the KTB Selection. A useful performer with placed form at Chester and the benefit of first-time headgear, he is ideally positioned to exploit the strong pace that is likely to unfold. His hold-up style should be perfectly suited if the leaders go hard early and the race collapses late, while the yard's healthy strike rate at the track adds further confidence. The main dangers are Power Fizz, who brings strong recent form and a prominent run-style, and Roman Dragon, whose excellent course record cannot be ignored. Dance In The Storm and Palmar Bay are others with valid claims on their Chester exploits.
KTB Selection The Strikin Viking
This is the narrative read of the 3:52 Chester. For the live card — runner-by-runner stats, the full Fit Score breakdown and current odds — see the Chester racecard. New here? How KTB works explains the Fit Score and why we publish both.
Questions about this race
Which horse is stepping up to 7f for the first time?
The Strikin Viking steps up to 7f for the first time today.
How many course wins does Roman Dragon have at Chester?
Roman Dragon has won six of his 19 starts at Chester.
Which runners are wearing first-time headgear?
The Strikin Viking, Roman Dragon, Dance In The Storm and Miami Matrix are all wearing first-time headgear.
Who has the strongest trainer strike rate at Chester among the principals?
William Haggas has a 26% strike rate at Chester from 178 runs.
Which horse has won twice at Chester from seven runs?
Miami Matrix has won twice at this track from seven runs.
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