THERE were four non-runners from the 15-runner six-furlong handicap at Chester on Thursday: the horses who were due to emerge from stalls nine, 11, 13 and 14. In the 13-runner five-furlong juveniles’ maiden later on the card, there were six non-runners: those drawn five, six, nine, 11, 12 and 13. It must be very cold out there in the outside boxes.

It is common knowledge that a low-draw is key at Chester, but, while it is generally known that track position is important, it may be even more important than is generally appreciated.

Here is a synopsis of the Racing Post’s in-running comments for each of the 14 winners at Chester on Wednesday and Thursday:

(a) Made all; (b) Tracked leader, led 3f out; (c) Made all; (d) Tracked leaders early; (e) Chased leaders; (f) Made all; (g) Held up; (h) Made all; (i) Made all; (j) In touch; (k) Broke well, led early; (l) Disputed lead, definite advantage 2f out; (m) Pushed along early, chased leaders; (n) Made all.

So 12 of the 14 winners made all (six) or led/disputed early (two) or chased/tracked leaders (four). Just one of the 14 was held up, Russian Soul in the final race on Wednesday, the seven-furlong handicap, who got a dream run up the inside in the closing stages.

You can understand why Andrea Atzeni got his stick out for Zamjar through the first furlong of Thursday’s six-furlong handicap in order to ensure that he retained his prominent position along the inside rail. You can also understand why Ryan Moore squeezed Deauville through the first furlong to ensure that he got the early lead in the Huxley Stakes, why Khairaat went from an SP of 1.99 to an in-running price of 1.5 after they had gone a furlong in the 10-furlong handicap once Jim Crowley had secured an easy lead for himself. Far more races are won and lost in the first furlong at Chester than in the final furlong.

(Next meeting at Chester: 27th May. Clashes with the Irish 2000 Guineas).