14:10 Chester

Saturday 17 June 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Edinburgh Gin Spritz Handicap

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 1m 2.66s

(10)

Ancient Times^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin⁽³⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 89| D

9/1

Dual 5f winner early last season who shaped as if needing run on return at Newmarket and easy enough to overlook his latest run at Epsom (stall opened late). Appeals as being on a competitive mark but draw could have been a lot kinder.

Form: 2024-40

(2)

Vintage Clarets¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 87| D

10/3

Fairly useful 5f winner who ran well when runner-up behind a runaway winner on return at Musselburgh (5f) in April. Likely best excused his latest run in "Dash" at Epsom and this return to calmer waters rates a plus from reduced mark/handy draw.

Form: 229-240

(8)

Lihou¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 84| C| D

15/2

Resurgent from reduced mark this year, successful 3 times on AW and on top late on when going in again at Epsom in April. Made frame next 2 starts and another easily forgiven his latest run in "Dash" at Epsom (stall opened late). Better showing anticipated for all draw in 8 is tricky.

Form: 131320

(4)

Copper Knight^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| CD

5/2

Veteran sprinter who has been a fine servant for connections and added a third C&D success to his tally in this race 12 months ago. Ran respectably on return and whilst not in same form in trio of starts since, he's dangerous to discount from this career-low mark.

Form: 70-4690

(5)

Vespasian^p,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 82

7/1

Dial scorer on AW early on last year who has run well in defeat since the turn of the year, again finding only one too good at Wolverhampton (6f) 12 days ago. Likely to face competition for the lead here but consistency hard to knock and not discounted.

Form: 362252

(7)

Leodis Dream⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 77| CD

12/1

Eased considerably in weights and capitalised to score on final start at Ripon (5f) last term. Proved somewhat disappointing on 2 of his 3 starts so far this campaign but handicapper is relinquishing his grip at least.

Form: 561-067

(3)

Speedacus^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73| D

9/1

Shaped as if needing the run on return at Musselburgh and duly stepped up plenty (in refitted visor) when landing 8-runner Chepstow handicap (5f) 15 days ago. May have found race coming too soon after just 1 day off at Lingfield and given more of a break ahead of this.

Form: 007-715

(6)

Absolutelyflawless⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: D Loughnane| OR: 79| CD

9/1

Landed C&D Lily Agnes here last term and resumed progress when getting on top late at Wolverhampton (6f) in May. Good second in 6f handicap back here later that month and good chance she found conditions too lively when last of 6 at Haydock last week.

Form: 86-7126

Non-Runners

(1)

Mokaatil²

Weight: 9-10| Age: 8

T: Ian Williams J: Non Runner

(9)

California Gem³⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: G Boughey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Copper Knight (5/2), Vintage Clarets (10/3), California Gem (7/2), Mokaatil (4/1), Vespasian (7/1), Lihou (15/2), Ancient Times (9/1), Absolutelyflawless (9/1), Speedacus (9/1), Leodis Dream (12/1)

Plenty arrive with claims and it could just be worth chancing last year's winner COPPER KNIGHT. He's not been at his very best so far this campaign but the handicapper has afforded him a chance and a bold showing would come as no surprise from a handy draw. Vintage Clarets is a big danger, whilst Absolutelyflawless can't be discounted with a good pace to aim at sure to suit.