Chester tips for Wednesday: Growl worth a gamble

David Metcalf | May 4, 2016

Growl ready to cut a dash

Growl caught the eye last time out and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to score an overdue success in the 5f handicap at Chester (15:45).

The gelding looked a smart prospect when making a winning debut as a juvenile for trainer Brian Meehan and went on to finish runner-up in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury to be rated 97.

Growl also ran some solid races in the earlier part of last season, finishing a 6 1/2 length seventh of 12 to Limato in a Group 3 at Ascot and a 5 3/4 length fifth of 12 to Adaay in a Listed contest at Newbury.

That pair are now rated 119 and 113 respectively, and the form reads very well in the context of this class 2 contest.

Lost to like about Ripon run

It makes Growl look potentially very well treated off a career-low mark of 89, and there was lots to like about his first run for trainer Richard Fahey when fourth at Ripon last month.

The four-year-old travelled strongly in midfield before keeping on nicely to be beaten two lengths by Avon Breeze.

It was an effort which suggested his new connections would not be long in getting him back on the scoresheet and, from a good draw in stall four, Growl looks weighted to take all the beating if building on it.