CHESTER 15:15

Non Runners: AZTEC EMPIRE (IRE).

Time: 4m 15.48s Closing Sectional: (2f): 26.95s (101.7%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 103.8%

The signature race of the meeting, as so often with high-end handicaps these days, the field made up of largely exposed sorts, only one as young as 4 lining up; the race wasn't well run, the leader kicking on only over 3f out, and the race proved messy - the stewards held no fewer than 5 enquiries into different cases of interference - the fourth and sixth both meeting trouble at a crucial stage, the former particularly unfortunate, with little over 4 lengths covering the first 7 home, the November Handicap winner beating the Cesarewitch fourth with last year's third in fifth, which suggests solid form despite all the provisos; it should be mentioned that the first 7 included all those drawn in the lowest 7 stalls, save for stall 4, the winner from stall 14, though that meant he avoided trouble in making his move.

METIER (IRE) well backed, proved better than ever, relishing the extra distance and the return to testing ground, his rider getting a good response to snatch victory nearing the line; held up, took keen hold, effort over 2f out, good progress entering final 1f, edged left, stayed on to lead final strides.

ZOFFEE after 7 months off, proved better than ever, presumably trained for this by the leading local stable and not sure to build on it; waited with, travelled well, headway over 2f out, led well inside final 1f, headed final strides.

CALL MY BLUFF (IRE) well backed, was off the same mark as at Newbury and ran every bit as well, making the most of his draw and track position, nailed only late; prominent, chased leader over 2f out, led 1f out, headed well inside final 1f, no extra final strides.

LAW OF THE SEA upped markedly in trip, on first outing since leaving Bhupat Seemar, was the nearest thing to an unexposed runner in the field and caught the eye, looking ahead of his mark (dropped 10 lb since his previous UK handicap run), arguably unlucky, though the way in which he pulled for so long was a bit disconcerting; held up, refused to settle, hampered early, smooth headway 2f out, short of room straight, kept on, finished with running left; capable of winning off this mark.

RAJINSKY (IRE) third in the 2022 running, wasted no time getting back to form, done no favours by the handicapper and improving on his efforts in handicaps last year; prominent, travelled well, shaken up 3f out, kept on straight.

CALLING THE WIND (IRE) ran creditably after 9 weeks off, shaping better than the distance beaten suggests, finding trouble, and likely to go well again in this type of race; not settle fully, hampered after 1f, settled in touch, shaken up 2f out, keeping on when not clear run inside final 1f, eased close home.

EMIYN (FR) back up in trip (C&D winner last autumn), ran right up to his best, ideally drawn on the rail for a front runner and making the most of his chance; led, kicked on over 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra final 100 yds.

BASCULE (FR) ran respectably in a much more competitive contest, despite not really handling the track that well; in touch, shaken up 3f out, not quicken, hung left home turn, carried head bit awkwardly.

THE GRAND VISIR wasn't disgraced, matching his placing of last year on his first run since (runner-up in 2021); held up, shaken up over 3f out, not quicken, kept on final 1f.

EUCHEN GLEN the oldest runner in the field, ran to a similar level as last time, this again not really a race to suit him; steadied at the start, in rear, effort 3f out, plugged on, made little impression.

VINO VICTRIX took a step forward from his reappearance, again on testing ground, and may well be back to his best next time; prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakening when hampered home turn.

TRITONIC had been back in form over hurdles last time, but failed to continue that revival back on the Flat, trying 2m+ for the first time in this sphere; held up, ridden 3f out, made no impression.

ALMUHIT (IRE) upped markedly in trip and wearing headgear for the first time on the Flat (tried in it over hurdles), was below form, though not a lot went right for him; tried to anticipate start and slowly into stride, raced off the pace, ridden early, ridden again 4f out, made no impression.

AL ZARAQAAN without headgear this time, was well held on his first outing since being claimed from Archie Watson after finishing runner-up over hurdles, up nearly 1m in trip on previous Flat efforts, lack of stamina a possible factor in his performance; close up, shaken up over 3f out, not quicken, weakened 2f out.

FALCON EIGHT (IRE) had won this in 2021 and was prominent in the market with a positive jockey booking, but he ran no sort of race, seemingly not in the mood; slowly into stride, never travelling well, always behind.

RESHOUN (FR) was well held on first outing since leaving Ian Williams after 8 months off; handy, ridden over 4f out, weakened soon after.