CHESTER PLATE HISTORY

finishing second in the Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham and then running a creditable race at the Festival. He was challenged hard inside the final furlong here at Chester by Coeur De Lion, but hung on grimly to win for his Scottish-born jockey Jason Hart and dual-purpose Yorkshire-based handler John Quinn.

Coeur De Lion, himself a talented hurdler, would get his moment of glory in 2019 as he went one place better. Trained by Alan King, a jumps trainer to trade but who has made a niche for himself as a plunderer of major staying races on the Flat, Coeur Du Lion romped to a wide-margin win over 2014 Chester Cup hero Suegioo.

Green Book hadn’t won over hurdles prior to his start-to-finish Plate success 12 months ago under fifty-something Liverpool jockey

Franny Norton, for whom Chester has been such a happy hunting ground down the years. However, Green Book had run well to be second onhis only start over hurdles, finishing runner-up at Hereford 79 days earlier. Freshened up in the interim by his trainer Venetia Williams, he arrived at the Roodee tuned to the minute and duly ran his rivals ragged from the front.

The talented five-year-old has subsequently enjoyed his share of success at the jumping game, most notably when landing a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Sandown in February.

Venetia Williams has emerged as an early leading trainer for this race having won the previous two renewals, giving her a 50% strike rate in this contest to date. She saddles last year’s winner Bellatrixsa here again with winning jockey Franny Norton once again on board. She also has Christopher Wood who will be ridden by Hollie Doyle.

Fact File

Conditions: 4-y-o and upwards only eliminated from this season’s Chester Cup Race distance: 2m 2f 140y

Prize money: £50,000 total prize fund

Previous Winners

2018

LOOK MY WAY

Jason Hart / John Quinn

4:4.52

2019

COEUR DE LION

Thore Hammer Hansen / Alan King

4:42.76

2021

GREEN BOOK

Franny Norton / Venetia Williams

4:10.52

2022

BELLATRIXSA

Franny Norton / Venetia Williams

4:09.60

SEVENTH RACE 4.55

THE tote FANTASY, WHOS IN YOUR STABLE CHESTER PLATE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (for the Bobby McAlpine Memorial Cup)

for four yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £50000

2m 2f 140y

Owners Prize Money. 1st £20080, 2nd £10040, 3rd £5020, 4th £2510, 5th £1255, 6th £625, 7th £315, 8th £155. (Penalty Value £25480) 6 Eliminated Under Rules (I)9 and (I)10.

Race Descripton

The Chester Plate is a consolation race for horses which were declared to run, but were eliminated at the declaration stage from this season’s Chester Cup. The contest for four-year-olds and upwards is run over the same distance as the Cup of two miles, two furlongs about 140 yards and looks to be a very competive line-up.

colours no horse age st-lb

Draw Jockey

1 NOVEL LEGEND (IRE) (21) 2412-11 C 4 10-0 (in 3lb ex) (14)

Br B g Nathaniel (IRE) - Majestic Dubawi James Fanshawe, Newmarket T

O Mr Boniface Ho Ka Kui

B Ballylinch Stud Pegasus Stables Llp S

TIMEFORM VIEW Improved second half of last term, opening account over 14.4f here (good to soft) in September. Has kicked on again this season, scoring on return at Kempton before success at Newbury (16.5f, heavy).

TFRHHHHH BHA85 (+10)

2 IT’S GOOD TO LAUGH (IRE) (13) 00543-5 C 6 9-12 (6)

Br B g Tamayuz - London Plane (IRE)

O Brian Verinder & Alan Baxter

B Shane Molan

Daniel Muscutt

Jennie Candlish, Leek T

Pra World Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Multiple Flat/hurdles winner who ran modestly back from a break over hurdles in March. Conditions too testing returned to this sphere at Ripon (2m, heavy) recently and he is 2-4 here.

TFRHHIII BHA85 (-2) Billy Loughnane (3)

3 ANNA BUNINA (FR) (230) 21//54/10- 7 9-12 (1)

Br B m Poet’s Voice - Russian Society

O Ms Caroline Ahearn

B Dermot Cantillon

TIMEFORM VIEW

John McConnell, Ireland T

HHHII

TFRHHHII BHA85

4 MILITARY TWO STEP (FR) (31) 01-4365 C 5 9-12 (4)

Br Gr m Jukebox Jury (IRE) - Step This Way (USA) Charlie Johnston, Middleham T

O C R Hirst & Dougie Livingston

B Kingsley Park Ltd Johnston Racing Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Successful over 2m here in 2021 and hit the target twice last year. Some fair efforts on the AW since the turn of the year but put in her place back on turf at Pontefract last time.

TFRHHIII BHA85 Ben Curtis

5 ZINC WHITE (IRE) (722) 566/11/- 5 9-11 (13)

Br Gr g Vadamos (FR) - Chinese White (IRE)

O S Beetham and DPL Fab Ltd

Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

B Skymarc Farm Dpl Fabrications Limited, Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Progressive during truncated 2021 campaign, winning pair of 1 3/4m handicaps. Wasn’t 100% when pulled up on hurdles bow at Ffos Las in October of that year and subsequent absence an obvious concern.

TFRHHIII BHA84 Jim Crowley

6 JUAN BERMUDEZ (GB) (28) 1/4310-4 4 9-11 (8)

Br Ch g Nathaniel (IRE) - Long Face (USA) Andrew Balding, Kingsclere T

O The Bermuda Salman Morris Partnership

B Newsells Park Stud Bermuda Racing Ltd S

TIMEFORM VIEW Raised his game when narrowly prevailing from the front upped to 2m at Kempton in November. Below par both subsequent starts, though, including on return at Leicester (11.8f, heavy) last month.

TFRHHIII BHA85

7 LAND OF WINTER (FR) (13) 6406-64 BF 7 9-11 (9)

Br B g Camelot - Gaselee (USA) Rae Guest, Newmarket T

O Paul Smith & Rae Guest

B Claydons Bloodstock Ltd Eastern County Care Ltd. S

Oisin Murphy

TIMEFORM VIEW Successful twice in 2021. Winless last season but stepped up on reappearance effort this time round when fourth at Ripon (2m, heavy) recently and wasn’t beaten far when fourth over C&D in September. TFRHHHII BHA84 (-1) Rossa Ryan

8 CHRISTOPHER WOOD (IRE) (1036) 210//10//- 8 9-9 (17)

Br B g Fast Company (IRE) - Surf The Web (IRE) Venetia Williams, Hereford T

O Ms Sharon Kinsella

B Airlie Stud Faucets Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Last seen out in this sphere almost 3 years ago but plenty of solid form to his name over hurdles/fences. On an attractive mark for yard that has won the last 2 runnings of this handicap.

TFRHHIII BHA82 Hollie Doyle

9 HYDROPLANE (IRE) (44) 3/616-34 C 7 9-9 (2)

Br B g Pour Moi (IRE) - Walk On Water Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

O John Nicholls Racing

B Bloomsbury Stud

Hunter Plastics Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Has contested the last 2 renewals of this, finishing third in 2021 and sixth 12 months ago. Won over 2m here last summer, too, and largely respectable efforts since.

10

TFRHHIII BHA82

WHITEHAVEN (FR) (210) 30/0352- 6 9-9 (12)

Br Bl g Le Havre (IRE) - Passion Blanche Donald McCain, Cholmondeley T

O Mr & Mrs G. Calder

B E.A.R.L. Haras de Saint-Vincent et al

Proactive Personnel Limited, Tote S

Richard Kingscote

11

TFRHHIII BHA82

TIMEFORM VIEW Signed off light 2022 campaign by finishing second in a 2m Haydock handicap. Third in a Catterick novice hurdle in January but well held both starts since and opposable back in this sphere.

BELLATRIXSA (IRE) (371) 2321/0/1- CD 6 9-8 (10)

Br Gr m Gregorian (IRE) - Aloisi

O Ms Sharon Kinsella

B Rathasker Stud

Paul Mulrennan

Venetia Williams, Hereford T

Faucets Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Justified strong market support when landing this race 12 months ago (latest Flat start). 4lb higher this time (in a more competitive renewal) and she hasn’t fired in a handful of runs over fences.

12

TFRHHHII BHA81

MALAKAHNA (FR) (196) 462611- 5 9-7 (11)

Br B m Manduro (GER) - Alakhana (FR) Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

O Macable Partnership

B Wertheimer et Frere

TIMEFORM VIEW Won 3 of her 8 starts on the level, proving too strong for the re-opposing Novel Legend when last seen in this sphere at Newmarket (2m, good to soft) in October. Efforts over hurdles leave much to be desired.

13

TFRHHIII BHA80

OMAN (IRE) (28) 00-5000 C 5 9-6 (3)

Br Ch g Australia - Awohaam (IRE) Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

O Xenor UK

B Churchtown B/stock,Grouseridge & Carhue

TIMEFORM VIEW On a good mark based on his form a couple of seasons back but struggled in 3 starts over hurdles during the winter. Modest in as many appearances on the Flat in recent months.

TFRHIIII BHA79 Jason Hart

14 MOSTLY SUNNY (IRE) (21) 00021-0

4 9-6 (16)

Br Ch g Zarak (FR) - Belle Above All Heather Main, Wantage T

O Desk Till Dawn and Wetumpka Racing

B Mrs D. J. James Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Back on track final 2 starts of last term, good second in 13.3f Newbury handicap (heavy) prior to going one better upped to 16.2f at Newcastle in November. Well adrift at Newbury on return 3 weeks ago.

15

THE PREDICTOR (IRE) (13) 32012-2

TFRHIIII BHA80 (-1) Jack Mitchell

4 9-5 (15)

Br B g Divine Prophet (AUS) - Tip It On The Top (IRE) Richard Fahey, Malton T

O Walsh, O’Keeffe & Partner

B Eimear Mulhern

TIMEFORM VIEW Confirmed previous promise when opening his account at Thirsk (2m, good) in August. Positive start to this season when going close on return at Ripon (2m, heavy).

16

WHIMSY (GB) (24) 1223-40

TFRHHHII BHA79 (+1) Oisin Orr

4 9-3 (7)

Br Ch f Charming Thought - Cape Victoria Andrew Balding, Kingsclere T

O Kingsclere Racing Club

B Kingsclere Stud Kingsclere Stud S

TIMEFORM VIEW Did little wrong last season, successful twice at Salisbury and posted several creditable efforts in defeat, too. Below par both starts this time round, though. Unproven beyond 1 1/2m.

17 JUSTUS (IRE) (14) 0430-61

TFRHHIII BHA77 (-2) Callum Hutchinson (3)

5 9-2 (in 3lb ex) (5)

Br Ch g Galileo (IRE) - Landikusic (IRE) Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

O Coomes Parmar Turner Dale

B LNJ Foxwoods Partnership Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Maiden winner who acquitted himself well in handicaps at York and Ascot (both at around 2m) in September. Scored in good style at Doncaster a fortnight ago.

TFRHHHHI BHA72 (+8) Dougie Costello

DECLARED RUNNERS 17 2022: BELLATRIXSA (IRE) 5 9 4 Franny Norton 13-8 (Venetia Williams) 11 ran

Blinkers worn first time by No. 7. Visor worn first time by No. 17. Tongue Strap worn first time by No. 2, 10.

Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 6, 10. Visor worn by No. 13. Tongue Strap worn by No. 6, 9, 12. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 2, 9, 12, 15. Running for the first time since Wind Surgery No. 10.

Stewards Note:

ZINC WHITE: Following its run on 28/10/2021 it was reported that the horse lost its action.

MALAKAHNA: Following its run on 19/3/2023 it was reported that the horse lost its action.

Probable S.P.’s: 5-2 Novel Legend (IRE), 13-2 Justus (IRE), 11-1 Bellatrixsa (IRE), 12-1 The Predictor (IRE), 14-1 Malakahna (FR), 16-1 Land of Winter (FR), 18-1 It’s Good To Laugh (IRE), Christopher Wood (IRE), 22-1 Hydroplane (IRE), 25-1 Juan Bermudez (GB), 28-1 Whitehaven (FR), 33-1 Zinc White (IRE), Mostly Sunny (IRE), 40-1 Military Two Step (FR), Whimsy (GB), 80-1 Oman (IRE) PLAY SMARTER

The progressive NOVEL LEGEND is a step ahead of the assessor under a 3lb penalty and, with this new trip unlikely to pose a problem, he will take plenty of stopping in his bid to complete the hat-trick. The fact that he was a winner here on his sole previous visit in September also augurs well. Justus is also ‘well-in’ under a penalty following his wide-margin Doncaster success and he is next on the list ahead of The Predictor.