Chester 3:46 Result

Kirkdale carries top weight but for good reason - his recent form figures (4-4112) show a horse in career-best form, with two wins and a placed run in his last three starts. Top of the ratings on OR 81, he's clearly progressive under Edward Bethell, a trainer who targets these sprint handicaps well. P.J. McDonald taking the ride is a positive booking. The visor may be sharpening him up further. Chester's tight, tricky 6f track rewards horses drawn to get a good position and with tactical speed - his recent wins suggest he has the gate speed and attitude to cope. Soft ground looks fine given his sire Zelzal's stock handle cut ground, and his own recent form has come on genuinely soft/heavy surfaces. The chief market rival Supreme King (also OR81) is respected but his form figure 271563 is more mixed and he's another year older without the same upward trajectory. Golden Brown, only 3, is interesting but unproven at this level and draw 11 is workable but Kirkdale's stronger recent scoring form gives him the edge. Top Juggler and Proof both have question marks in their profiles (dips in form/inconsistent). Overall Kirkdale looks the horse in form and with the profile to defy top weight in a albeit competitive but not razor-sharp Class 4 field.