1:35 Chester
A competitive Class 3 handicap over the extended 6f at Chester on good to soft ground brings together ten runners, several of whom are stepping up in class. The KTB Fit scores identify a clear top pick on 72 with the remainder of the field tightly bunched between 59 and 40, suggesting a race where current form, trip suitability and the ability to handle the track will be decisive. With no previous course form for the majority, the race poses interesting questions about how several will cope with the demands of the tight Chester bends.
How the race shapes up
The pace shape points towards a contested lead with several prominent runners likely to be forward early. Bolo Neighs from draw 3 and Station X from the inside rail are both expected to take up positions towards the front, while Brummell and Ran Amok could also be handy. The key question is whether the early pace will be strong enough to stretch the field and create late opportunities for those coming from slightly further back, or whether the leaders can dictate matters on this sharp track.
The KTB Fit ranking
- 1Bolo Neighs KTB Selection72/100Useful performer who arrives in decent nick after a win and a solid second on his last two starts.
- 2Station X59/100Station X is a fair performer who arrives in decent form having been placed in two of his last three starts.
- 3Baldomero57/100Baldomero is a fair handicapper who has been largely out of form this year with a string of modest efforts.
- 4Brummell54/100Brummell is a fair performer who has shown consistent form this year with a third and sixth from his last two starts.
- 5Havana Rum51/100Havana Rum is a fair performer who has won five times at this trip from 42 starts and has shown competitive form on good to soft ground with four places from se…
- 6Tough Enough50/100Tough Enough is a fair performer who has shown bits of form this year, including a second at a lower level last time.
- 7Smart Vision46/100Smart Vision is a fair performer who has shown mixed results of late with recent form figures of 8-0989.
- 8Ran Amok46/100Fair performer who has shown bits of form without winning for a while.
- 9Accrual46/100Accrual is a fair performer who has shown up well at this track, finishing second on his only visit to Chester.
- 10Miraculous40/100Miraculous is a fair performer who has won at this trip and at Chester itself.
The contenders
Bolo Neighs KTB Fit 72/100
Bolo Neighs is a useful performer who arrives in decent nick after a win and a solid second on his last two starts. He has won twice over today's trip but has never tackled good to soft ground and makes his first visit to Chester. Trainer Ralph Beckett has an 18 percent strike rate here while jockey Edward Greatrex boasts a strong 27 percent record from his 22 rides at the track. The KTB Fit score of 72 underlines his position at the head of the ratings. His recent form figures of 87-261 show progressive signs and he holds the highest official ratings in the field. With a prominent run-style he should be well placed to take advantage of his draw in three.
Station X KTB Fit 59/100
Station X is a fair performer who arrives in decent form having been placed in two of his last three starts. He steps up from 5f to a trip he has won over three times from ten attempts and has shown he can be competitive on good to soft ground. The yard and jockey both have solid records at Chester though this is his first run here. With a KTB Fit score of 59 he is the closest pursuer of the selection. His recent form of -23164 confirms consistency at a fair level and he is proven at the distance. Drawn in stall one, his prominent style should see him track the pace closely throughout.
Baldomero KTB Fit 57/100
Baldomero is a fair handicapper who has been largely out of form this year with a string of modest efforts. He steps back up to his winning trip having looked stretched over five furlongs last time but has never placed from five runs on good to soft ground. The yard and jockey both have solid records here though this represents his first run at Chester. Rated with a KTB Fit of 57 he has work to do to match the top two on current form. His figures of -45063 reflect a lack of sparkle this season yet the return to 6f offers some hope. From draw seven he is likely to race in mid-division.
Brummell KTB Fit 54/100
Brummell is a fair performer who has shown consistent form this year with a third and sixth from his last two starts. He steps up from 5f to a trip he has won over before while wearing first-time headgear and he has won on good to soft ground from limited attempts. The trainer holds a solid 17% strike rate at Chester though the jockey is operating at a lower 8%. The KTB Fit score of 54 keeps him in the mix. Recent form reads 107-36 and he is another stepping up in class. His prominent run-style from draw four should ensure he is not far away early.
Havana Rum KTB Fit 51/100
Havana Rum is a fair performer who has won five times at this trip from 42 starts and has shown competitive form on good to soft ground with four places from seven runs. Recent efforts have been mixed though the 36-269 sequence suggests he is not quite at his peak. The yard has a solid 10% strike rate at Chester while the jockey is operating at 5% here from 19 rides and this will be the horse's first run at the track. With a KTB Fit of 51 he sits on the fringes of the main contenders. His placed efforts on similar ground are a positive yet the lack of recent spark is a concern. Drawn wide in ten he may have to work to get a good position.
The rest of the field
Tough EnoughKTB Fit 50/100
Tough Enough is a fair performer who has shown bits of form this year, including a second at a lower level last time. He has won on good to soft ground and at this trip, though his overall strike rate is modest. The yard has a 5% strike rate at Chester from 20 runs while the jockey is operating at 15% from 39 rides here.
Smart VisionKTB Fit 46/100
Smart Vision is a fair performer who has shown mixed results of late with recent form figures of 8-0989. He has placed here without winning from two runs at Chester and acts on good to soft ground having won once from three attempts on it while also placing at today's trip. The trainer has a 0% strike rate from seven runs at this track but the jockey has a solid 12% strike rate from 57 rides here.
Ran AmokKTB Fit 46/100
Ran Amok is a fair performer who has shown bits of form without winning for a while. He has course experience from a fourth here last season and acts on good to soft ground having won on it before. Trainer Hugo Palmer has a solid 17% strike rate at Chester while Luke Morris is a regular rider here with a 12% record.
AccrualKTB Fit 46/100
Accrual is a fair performer who has shown up well at this track, finishing second on his only visit to Chester. He acts on good to soft ground and has won twice over today's 6f trip, though his recent form of 685U53 suggests he is not quite at his peak. The yard has an 8% strike rate here from 173 runs while Rowan Scott is operating at just 4% from 49 rides.
MiraculousKTB Fit 40/100
Miraculous is a fair performer who has won at this trip and at Chester itself. He has been below form in his last couple of starts and is unproven on good to soft ground. The yard has a modest 9% strike rate here while the jockey is 4% from 119 rides at the track.
KTB verdict
Bolo Neighs stands out as the KTB Selection with a clear Fit score advantage and progressive recent form. His win and solid second in his last two outings, allied to two previous victories over the trip, make him the one to beat if he handles the good to soft ground and the demands of Chester. Station X is the most obvious danger given his consistency, proven ability at the distance and competence on the going, while Brummell in first-time headgear and Baldomero stepping back up in trip cannot be entirely dismissed.
KTB Selection Bolo Neighs
Morning odds
Best available price per runner, captured 00:02 UTC, 13 Jun. These are a morning snapshot and will have moved — see the live racecard for current prices.
| Runner | Morning price | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Bolo Neighs | 2/1 | Bet Victor |
| Station X | 3/1 | 7Bet |
| Baldomero | 17/2 | 7Bet |
| Brummell | 16/1 | 7Bet |
| Havana Rum | 16/1 | Bet365 |
| Tough Enough | 35/1 | 7Bet |
| Smart Vision | 25/1 | Bet365 |
| Ran Amok | 9/1 | William Hill |
| Accrual | 28/1 | Midnite |
| Miraculous | 11/2 | 7Bet |
This is the narrative read of the 1:35 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 unproven on good to soft ground yet still tops the KTB Fit ratings?
Bolo Neighs has no runs on good to soft and is rated 72 on KTB Fit.
How many previous wins has Station X recorded over this 6f trip?
Station X has won over this trip three times from ten attempts.
Which runner is making its first appearance at Chester and wears first-time headgear?
Brummell is having his first run at the track and is fitted with first-time headgear.
Which horse has course form at Chester including a second-place finish?
Smart Vision has two runs here recording 8th and 2nd while Accrual finished second on his only visit.
Who has the strongest jockey record at Chester among the principals?
Edward Greatrex has a 27% strike rate at Chester from 22 rides when riding Bolo Neighs.
18+. Analysis and entertainment only — no guarantee of profit. KTB race previews are published for interest and are not betting advice. Only ever stake what you can comfortably afford to lose, and set your own limits. Free, confidential help: the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare.org.uk); in Ireland, the GamblingCare.ie helpline on 1800 936 725. Self-exclude at any time via GAMSTOP.
More from Kickthebookies