20:30 Chester

Friday 30 June 2023

All17:4018:1518:5019:2520:0020:3021:00

Expleo Handicap

Off time: 20:30 | Winning time: 2m 12.27s

(6)

Theme Park³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 87

5/1

Bought for 200,000 gns after winning a 7f Kempton novice for Sir Michael Stoute last September. Shaped well in a couple of handicaps at York last month, chasing home Quantum Leap over 1m latterly. Could play a part if his stamina holds now going up in trip.

Form: 21-562

(8)

Tajawal^v²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 85

9/4

Placed on his first three runs and didn't need to improve to readily open his account (at the expense of Lil' Frank) at Ayr last time. More to come returned to this distance for handicap debut, and he makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 2-331

(1)

Balance Play²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 83

7/4

Has had the form of his second in a 7f Salisbury novice on reappearance strongly boosted by the winner and third since and he shaped well when third at Epsom last time. Remains with potential and should take a hand.

Form: 43-23

(4)

Razoni^b1,t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jason Watson| T: G Boughey| OR: 80

11/1

Winner of 7f Newcastle novice in February and filled the runner-up spot for the sixth time when second at Doncaster last time. Step back up in trip and first-time blinkers could bring about a bigger effort.

Form: 122422

(3)

Noodle Mission¹⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D Tudhope| T: M L W Bell| OR: 79

14/1

Improved for a step up in trip earlier this year, winning twice at Wolverhampton. Has the scope for better still, so capable of featuring if he's as effective on turf after 4 months off.

Form: 707-151

(7)

Lil' Frank²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 79

13/2

Frankel colt who has shown fairly useful form, second to Tajawal in maiden at Ayr last time. Unsure to turn the tables with that rival but should get the longer trip.

Form: 34-22

(5)

Mandega⁹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Aiden Brookes⁽⁵⁾| T: Micky Hammond| OR: 77| D

80/1

Fair performer in France and ran well in a claimer at Fontainbleau when last seen 3 months ago. Interesting to see the market vibes on debut for a new yard.

Form: 373182

Non-Runners

(2)

Gordon Grey²⁶

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: Ian Williams J: S A Gray

Forecasts

Balance Play (7/4), Tajawal (9/4), Theme Park (5/1), Lil' Frank (13/2), Razoni (11/1), Noodle Mission (14/1), Gordon Grey (25/1), Mandega (80/1)

TAJAWAL shaped well amidst greenness when third at Wolverhampton on his seasonal comeback and he's since got off the mark in comfortable fashion at Ayr. A bigger performance is expected and he's preferred to Balance Play, who arrives on the back of a solid showing at Epsom. Gordon Grey is another likely improver on his first go in handicaps.