16:53 Chester

Saturday 9 July 2022

All13:5814:3315:0815:4316:1816:5317:30

Roodee Handicap

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 1m 14.27s

(7)

Roman Dragon¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 84| CD

5/2

Winner of two of his four starts on the Roodee at 2 yrs and has reaffirmed his liking for this course with solid efforts here (both at around 7f) the last twice. Drop back in trip looks a good move for this front-runner, but the draw could have been kinder.

Form: 076-243

(2)

Wonderful World¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: David Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 83| D

5/2

Ended last term with success in a soft-ground Doncaster nursery (6f) in November. Gradual improvement with each of his three starts this season, most recently touched off in a small-field Windsor handicap (5f, good to firm), and each-way chance from a good draw.

Form: 921-642

(3)

Melayu Kingdom⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Mullen| T: K A Ryan| OR: 82

20/1

Thirsk maiden winner on 2-y-o debut and appeared to be working his way back to form when fifth of 15 in a 5f York handicap in May. However, effort at Haydock later that month was poor and he now has a bit to prove.

Form: 49-4656

(4)

Giewont^e/c,t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 82

9/2

Good strike rate on the AW (3-5) and while he's yet to hit the target on turf, he's clearly effective on it as he once again demonstrated when fourth in a 7f handicap here (good to firm) a fortnight ago. Still, others make more appeal.

Form: 136144

(5)

Another Investment¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: P J McDonald| T: N Tinkler| OR: 81| D

7/2

Signed off 2-y-o campaign of a winning note and went very close in a 6f Haydock handicap in May. Hasn't managed to back that effort up since, but perhaps 7f proved too much of a test at Newmarket last time and he's certainly not without hope.

Form: 1-55205

(8)

Beauzon²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

18/1

Won twice as a juvenile and bright start to 2022 when landing a nine-runner Lingfield handicap (6f, AW) in January. Creditable third back from a break at Redcar last month, but more needed here and stall eight is hardly helpful.

Form: 1333-13

(1)

Bang On The Bell^b¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Tyler Heard⁽³⁾| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 68| D

14/1

Dual AW winner, the latest at Wolverhampton in May. However, he will need to step up on what he's previously shown on turf in order to play a leading role in this contest.

Form: 322165

Non-Runners

(6)

True Jem⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: Sam Feilden

Forecasts

Roman Dragon (5/2), Wonderful World (5/2), Another Investment (7/2), Giewont (9/2), True Jem (13/2), Bang On The Bell (14/1), Beauzon (18/1), Melayu Kingdom (20/1)

A line can be readily drawn through TRUE JEM's recent run at Haydock and she makes plenty of appeal judged on her Goodwood success last month. Indeed, a 5 lb rise for that looks very fair, particularly in light of the subsequent exploits of the second and third home in that handicap. Another Investment will be a threat if he puts his best foot forward, while Roman Dragon clearly goes well here and also enters calculations, along with Wonderful World.