Dark Horses

In a typically competitive renewal of the Earl Grosvenor Handicap, course specialist YANIFER is the selection. 

A two-time course winner over 7f, he ran out an impressive winner at this track in August, beating Paws For Thought in a Class 2 by 1¼l, after staying on strongly. He backed that win up with a close fifth placed finish back at Chester behind Two Tempting next time. 

He’s well drawn in stall 5 this afternoon and back at his favourite stomping ground. I expect him to run another big race. 

Trainer Ian Williams took the Chester Plate in 2023 and he saddles four runners in this year’s renewal. The progressive, consistent stayer TAILORMAN looks the picks of his runners under Ryan Kavanagh who claims a very useful 5lbs off his back. 

He was in good form last season, winning twice over 2 miles at Ripon and Kempton. He goes well here, finishing in the frame on all three occasions at the Roodee. 

He was unlucky at Nottingham last time out on his return when being denied a clear run at a crucial stage of the race. That run sets him up nicely for this and off an unchanged mark, he’s a serious player.