16:30 Chester

Saturday 17 June 2023

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

Edinburgh Gin Classic Handicap

Off time: 16:34 | Winning time: 1m 16.46s

(5)

Ventura Express¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: G Lee| T: P T Midgley| OR: 85| BF

7/1

Better than ever since returning from a 2-month break, scoring in good style at Pontefract (5f, good) prior to hitting the crossbar at Doncaster (6f, good to firm). Yet to win off a mark this high but respected nonetheless from a decent draw.

Form: 57-4812

(6)

Cuban Breeze^b⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: P D Evans| OR: 83| BF| C| D

9/2

Successful here at 2 yrs and added to her tally by bagging handicaps at Ascot and Windsor last season. Best effort so far this year when second to a progressive type in first-time blinkers at Haydock (6f, good to firm) and she has to enter calculations.

Form: 580522

(8)

Faro De San Juan^t¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Greg Cheyne| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 82| D

25/1

French import who made a promising start on these shores when third in a big-field Doncaster handicap (6f, heavy) in April. Fair to say that he has failed to build on that in 3 subsequent runs but wasn't disgraced at Windsor last time and he's edging down the weights.

Form: 52-3078

(3)

Follow Your Heart^t⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 82| BF| D

22/1

In rude health on the AW earlier this year, winning 3 handicaps on the bounce over 7f. Line can be drawn through latest effort at Wolverhampton where he wasn't seen to best effect but it could be that he's a shade too high in the weights for now.

Form: 22-1117

(2)

Roman Dragon²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 80| CD

11/8

All 3 career wins have been gained over C&D, the latest off 2 lb higher last July. Stepped up on low-key reappearance when fifth of 9 at Haydock (7.2f, good to firm) and a bold show is likely back down in trip here from a good draw.

Form: 6400-85

(4)

Toussarok⁷⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 79| D

12/1

Bagged 6f handicaps at Brighton and Epsom in 2022, and placed on 2 of his 4 starts on the AW since returning from a break in January. Remains on a fair mark and well-drawn but likely to find one or two too good all the same.

Form: 05-6203

(1)

Ramon Di Loria¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Ryan Sexton⁽³⁾| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 77| D

6/1

Bounced back to form when narrowly taking 9-runner handicap at Carlisle (5f, good) last month. Shaped as though return to this trip would be no bad thing when fourth at Hamilton since but current mark leaves little margin for error.

Form: 23-8014

(7)

Hello Zabeel^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 76| D

12/1

Hasn't done much wrong since joining this yard, winning twice on the AW during the winter and returned from a 13-week break with a creditable effort in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at Windsor (6f, good to firm). Each-way shout off the same mark.

Form: 551-153

(10)

Ballyare^b,t³²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: P Mulrennan| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 75| CD

18/1

Landed this race off 3 lb higher 12 months ago and registered first success since when narrowly prevailing at Wetherby (5.5f, good to firm) last time. However, done no favours by the draw this time round and others appeal more for win purposes.

Form: 5-73001

(9)

Bezzas Lad⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 72| D

33/1

Hit the target twice on the AW earlier this year but good run of form came to a halt at Windsor (5f, soft) last time and stall 9 is hardly ideal.

Form: 263124

Forecasts

Roman Dragon (11/8), Cuban Breeze (9/2), Ramon Di Loria (6/1), Ventura Express (7/1), Hello Zabeel (12/1), Toussarok (12/1), Ballyare (18/1), Follow Your Heart (22/1), Faro De San Juan (25/1), Bezzas Lad (33/1)

ROMAN DRAGON left the impression that he would be close to concert pitch next time when fifth at Haydock 3 weeks ago, and this multiple C&D winner is taken to add to his tally here back at 6f and from a favourable draw. The selection may have most to fear from Ventura Express, who arrives here at the top of his game. Cuban Breeze and Hello Zabeel are others to consider, while Faro de San Juan is also worth a second look having edged down to an attractive mark.