16:55 Chester

Saturday 16 June 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Aber Falls Welsh Gin Handicap

Off time: 16:58 | Winning time: 1m 15.41s

(4)

Rene Mathis⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84| D

9/2

Just one win since 2015 and has looked regressive in recent times. Unlikely he wants a drop in trip here and others preferred.

Form: 50-9906

(7)

I'll Be Good³⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-4| J: Nathan Evans| T: A Berry| OR: 79| C| D

50/1

Two-time course winner but only sparingly since 2016 and just three starts. Comeback run here last time saw him tailed off and hard to fancy at present.

Form: 200/35-8

(3)

Mujassam^b²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C J McGovern⁽⁵⁾| T: D O'Meara| OR: 78| D

6/1

Has just won twice since 2015 and they both came at Southwell, most recently in claiming company in April. Looks in need of relief from the handicapper at present.

Form: 541234

(5)

Confessional^e/s⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-3| J: A Mullen| T: T D Easterby| OR: 78| C| D

9/1

Two-time course winner and very well-handicapped on old form but struggling this season and perhaps regressive now he's in his veteran years. Yard in form so there's a chance he could bounce back.

Form: 434-675

(6)

Signore Piccolo^h¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: P Makin| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| D

6/1

One win from 14 starts since joining this yard but there's been encouragement in his more recent efforts, particularly last time when jockey failed to remove his hood at the break and was left behind. Dropped 2lb and back on his last winning mark.

Form: 8603-54

(8)

Zac Brown^t⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁵⁾| T: C Wallis| OR: 77| D

14/1

Useful front runner but doesn't always break well, as seen at Goodwood last time out. More effective on AW than turf but well-handicapped on old form and not out of this if he gets away on terms.

Form: 427182

(9)

Gabrial The Tiger²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75| CD

10/1

Four-time course winner (one C&D) and in good form towards the back end of last season, winning over 7f here. Versatile with regards ground and trip and should come on for his reappearance at York. Draw not ideal though.

Form: 07513-0

(11)

Somewhere Secret^v1²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Liam Jones| T: M Mullineaux| OR: 71

40/1

Soft-ground winner over 5f at Doncaster in September. Didn't shape with great promise at Haydock on return and wide draw here won't help, particularly given his propensity to start slowly. Wears a first-time visor but others preferred.

Form: 1600-88

(1)

Casterbridge^p⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Barry McHugh| T: E J Alston| OR: 71

9/2

Shaped like a return to form was imminent at Thirsk last time when narrowly failing to make all. Drawn well here and useful when he gets an easy lead so it would be no surprise to see him run a big race.

Form: 15-7003

(12)

Lexi's Hero^v³⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 8-10| J: F Norton| T: P Morris| OR: 71| CD

33/1

Veteran performer who has won eight times, but is having his first run since last July. Likely to need this outing and is probably best watched today, particularly from this draw.

Form: 4009/05-

(2)

Spirit Of Wedza¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Jamie Gormley⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 67| D

3/1

Four wins from 43 starts and an inconsistent sort. Running well at Catterick on his most recent starts and awarded a race in the stewards' room two runs back. 1lb higher for his most recent placed effort perhaps harsh and back on his highest mark.

Form: 554612

Non-Runners

(10)

Highland Acclaim⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 7

T: D O'Meara J: D Nolan

Forecasts

Spirit Of Wedza (3/1), Rene Mathis (9/2), Casterbridge (9/2), Signore Piccolo (6/1), Mujassam (6/1), Confessional (9/1), Gabrial The Tiger (10/1), Zac Brown (14/1), Highland Acclaim (16/1), Lexi's Hero (33/1), Somewhere Secret (40/1), I'll Be Good (50/1)

It may be worth siding with SIGNORE PICCOLO who has shaped like a return to form is imminent in recent times and had excuses when fourth of nine at Musselburgh last time. Zac Brown can't be ruled out if he gets away on terms while Casterbridge gets a nice draw and ran well last time out.