Chester 5:25 Result

Zimmerman is the clear form horse in this apprentice handicap - his figures read 236111, showing he's won his last three starts and is in career-best form. He ran just 11 days ago, so he's fit and fresh off the back of a winning run, suggesting he's still ahead of the handicapper. Tim Easterby is a shrewd trainer who knows how to place his horses, and a 3-time-in-a-row winner stepping up in class slightly but staying at a trip (1m6f) he's clearly effective at deserves respect. His draw (4) is workable at Chester over this longer trip where the stalls bias is less pronounced than in sprints. Soft ground looks fine on his recent form. The obvious market rival is Tabasko (OR 75, top-rated) who has some solid placed form (4-5221) but hasn't actually won this campaign and is stepping up having been beaten in a couple of similar events - she looks more of an each-way type than a bet-to-win given she keeps hitting the frame without breaking through. Spartan Times and Carthusian are respectable but lack the recent winning momentum. Wiltshire Wonder and Bulldog Spirit look moderate. Kindly Queen and Risk Averse Rebel are unproven at this level stepping up in trip/class. Zimmerman's hat-trick, fitness, and proven course/distance efficacy make him the strongest combination of form and value in this competitive apprentice contest.