The big betting race of the day is the Stan James sponsored Chester Cup (2.45) and Glenard makes plenty of appeal at 9/1.
Trained by Charlie Hills, whose father Barry won the race four times, the gelding showed progressive form in handicaps last season before landing a competitive class 2 contest at Haydock over 1m 4f where he showed a game attitude to beat Renew by a short-head.
The third horse home that day, Salutation, bolted up by 6 lengths in a valuable handicap at Kempton off a mark of 87 while the runer-up has gone on to land a listed contest at Newmarket off an official rating of 100.
That gives the form a solid look, and the selection then went on to finish a fine fourth tof 14 to Excellent Result in a decent class 2 handicap at Ascot over 1m 4f where he kept on under pressure to be beaten just 1 1/4 lengths.
The son of Arch then didn’t have the race run to suit on his final start last season over 1m 6f at Haydock, but put in a bvery eye-catching effort when tackling 2m for the first time in a conditions’ contest on his reappearance at Kempton.
The four-year-old was held-up well off the pace that day by Ryan Moore and after being switched left two furlongs out ran on well to be beaten 2 lengths without ever being put into the race at any stage with a realistic chance.
To me he finished with plenty of running left in him, and it was an effort which suggested he could be a force to be reckoned with in staying handicaps.
The extra couple of furlongs he nows tackles should not be a problem, and he now has the services of Franny Norton in the saddle who rides the track supremely well.
A high draw is obviously not ideal, but Norton is the man to get him in a position and Glenard remains unexposed as a stayer and looks capable of a hueg run of what looks a workable mark of 92.
Daiuly Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Glenard (9/1 BetVictor, Paddy Power – BOG)