CHESTER 15:35

Non Runners: SAIGON CITY.

Time: 4m 2.9s Closing Sectional: (2f): 24.45s (106.6%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 124%, Betfair SP 104%

A typical Chester Cup in most respects though it was a cleaner race than is often the case and it's rare for it to be won in such clear-cut fashion, Magic Circle much improved on his first start for a new yard as he gave Marwan Koukash another success in the race, the placed horses making the frame for the second consecutive year and the form having a really solid look to it.

MAGIC CIRCLE (IRE) has long since been knocking on the door for a handicap such as this and improved on first outing since leaving Ralph Beckett (for 70,000 gns) after 7 months off, giving his owner a fourth win in the race; mid-field, good progress 2f out, found plenty to lead entering final 1f, forged clear; this level of form is good enough for him to be worth a crack in pattern company, but connections were talking in terms of the Ebor straight after the race.

FUN MAC (GER) went one place better than last year, running as well as he has after 6 months off, simply no match for a much-improved one; mid-field, headway over 2f out, stayed on, no match for winner.

WHO DARES WINS (IRE) went one place better than the previous year, a smashing dual-purpose performer who nearly always gives his running, no mean feat considering the company he keeps; dropped out, rapid headway around halfway, chased leaders circuit out, ridden under 3f out, stayed on.

DUBAWI FIFTY was strong in the betting and acquitted himself well whilst leaving the impression he would maybe have done better still had he not used up so much energy through the early stages, a bit keener than ideal as his rider was very keen to get a prominent pitch; pressed leader, shaken up over 3f out, not quicken approaching final 1f; he'll continue to be of interest in good-quality staying handicaps.

TIME TO STUDY (FR) was out just 9 days after the Sagaro and ran to a similar level back in a handicap, continuing in good heart and beaten by better handicapped rivals rather than anything else, not for the first time showcasing his toughness; in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on.

PRINCE OF ARRAN ran up to his best back in Britain, not well enough handicapped to win a race such as this but doing as well as he could from a career-high mark; held up, headway under pressure under 2f out, never nearer.

STARGAZER (IRE) almost certainly remains in good form, the doubt beforehand being whether he'd have the stamina for this appreciably longer trip having won over 12f on his previous start and, in the end, not quite doing enough to suggest this sort of test is necessarily going to bring out the best in him; mid-field, ridden over 3f out, one paced.

JUKEBOX JIVE (FR) probably did too much too soon in trying to run the finish out of a field of top handicappers; made running, kicked on over 3f out, headed entering final 1f, weakened; he's the type to bounce back quickly.

WATERSMEET back on turf, had failed to stay in this last season and it was probably the same story this time round, too, but he did shape as if still in good form; mid-field, shaken up under 3f out, made no impression.

NAKEETA after 6 months off, tried to come from a hopeless position and can have this run ignored; dropped out, travelled better than most, never dangerous and subjected to no more than hands and heels when the rider sensed he was never going to get anywhere near the leaders.

VENT DE FORCE again showed little; held up, never involved.

SILVER CONCORDE has shown useful form over hurdles this winter but he is knocking on a bit and never looked like repeating his third behind No Heretic in the 2016 renewal; held up, ridden over 3f out, made no impression.

MY REWARD has gone well here before but was well held this time, maybe undone by being unable to dominate; broke well, close up, pushed along under 4f out, weakened 2f out.

GRANDEE (IRE) didn't get home over this markedly longer trip and is much better judged on other efforts; in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out.

CAYIRLI (FR) went backwards from reappearance, maybe not that surprising given how long he'd been off prior to that; chased leaders, pushed along under 4f out, weakened over 2f out.

SHADOW SADNESS (GER) was a smart performer at his best (landed odds in minor event on previous start) when trained in Germany but showed nothing on first outing since leaving C. Von Der Recke, dropped out and always behind, making no progress when shaken up over 4f out.