Chester, 13:30 - Back Final Appeal @ 6/17.00
The speedy Wait Geordie will probably be one of the quickest to leave the gates at Chester this week and there is a chance that the Hugo Palmer's well-drilled Bath scorer could set up an unassailable lead in this conditions affair.
His Bath success is working out nicely and he looks well drawn to post another big showing for his local handler, however I was taken with the finishing effort of Final Appeal at Wolverhampton last month and he looks to have all the speed required to deliver a big performance in his own right.
Rider Clifford Lee will no doubt be trying to hang on to the coatails of Wait Geordie in the formative stages of this event and, if he can do that until the final turn, the selection could boast the requisite stamina and class to overhaul his rivals in the straight.
There is always a chance that he himself displays a similar speed from the stalls as he boasts a little more experience than his chief market rival and may make that pay around the tight turns of today's venue which aren't dissimilar to Dunstall Park.
Back Final Appeal in the 13:30 at Chester
Chester, 14:05 - Back Partisan Hero each-way @ 11/26.50
Andrew Balding has captured this event twice in the last five years and, in stable debutant Snow Master, the Kingsclere handler appears to have another live candidate.
Formerly handled by Tom Dascombe, the dual Yarmouth winner won on his racecourse bow and following a 381-day absence so clearly has a history of coming to hand early, while his two defeats have been sustained at the hands of Lockinge Stakes candidate Zeus Olympios no less, so this drop into a handicap for the first time should ensure he is highly competitive.
I will be making sure I don't lose if he wins, but I wonder if the already Roodee-proven Partisan Hero offers punters a little more chicken on the bone at prices in excess of 6/17.00.
Runner-up in the race last year when mithered for the lead throughout, Partisan Hero is well positioned in stall one for a horse which races prominently and it's worth noting the rival that tried to keep tabs on the selection 12 months ago beat just one home and finished nine lengths in arrears of the winner at the line.
The son of Muhaarar has competed in the Middle East since the turn of the year, ostensibly over sprint trips under local jockeys given the difficulties in that region, and he may well appreciate having Rossa Ryan back on board who boasts figures of 3121 aboard the six-year-old.
Three of the last 10 renewals have been captured by a runner drawn one, so with four places on offer, Partisan Hero looks a very fair play.
Back Partisan Hero each-way in the 14:05 at Chester