15:07 Chester

Saturday 1 July 2023

All13:5714:3215:0715:4216:1716:5217:22

Grey Goose Essences Handicap

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 1m 13.99s

(5)

Hyperfocus^p⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Sean Kirrane⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 95| D

16/1

Veteran who resumed winning ways in style in 5f handicap at Ripon when last seen out in April. Back up in trip and not taken lightly off a 2 lb higher mark.

Form: 3022-01

(6)

Princess Shabnam^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: F Norton| T: S Woods| OR: 94| D

5/1

Useful 6f winner but she arrives below par, tried in a hood when sixteenth of 27 in Wokingham Handicap (66/1) at Royal Ascot 7 days ago. More is required.

Form: 08-0650

(4)

Whenthedealinsdone^p³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 93| D

6/1

Useful 5f/6f winner who got back on track when second of 4 in handicap at Windsor (5.1f, good to firm) 33 days ago. Can go well again off the same mark.

Form: 043-472

(8)

Aberama Gold^v¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 89| D

11/2

Arrives on a hat-trick after recent 6f wins at Wolverhampton and Hamilton. Form of latter success has been franked so another bold bid is anticipated off just a 2 lb higher mark here.

Form: 052811

(2)

Cuban Breeze^v¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Phil Dennis| T: P D Evans| OR: 83| C| D

3/1

Yet to score this season but he arrives in good form, third of 10 in handicap over C&D 14 days ago. Visor replaces blinkers and this course winner needs considering.

Form: 805223

(1)

Roman Dragon¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Hayley Turner| T: H Palmer| OR: 79| BF| CD

7/2

Three-time C&D winner who posted a respectable fourth of 10 in handicap here 14 days ago. Can make his presence felt off an easing mark.

Form: 400-854

(7)

Hello Zabeel^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Rowan Scott| T: C Fellowes| OR: 75| D

11/1

In excellent form for his current yard, scoring twice on the AW in the winter and posting another solid effort when fifth of 10 in handicap over C&D 14 days ago. 1 lb out of the handicap but ought to be in the shake-up.

Form: 51-1535

(3)

Absolutelyflawless¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Laura Pearson⁽³⁾| T: D Loughnane| OR: 78| C| D

9/1

Won at Wolverhampton (6f) in May and not seen to best effect when sixth of 8 in 5f handicap here 14 days ago. This course winner is in the picture off a 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 6-71266

Non-Runners

(10)

Bear Profit¹²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: S C Williams J: J Mitchell

(9)

Paws For Thought¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 5

T: D McCain Jnr J: P Hanagan

Forecasts

Cuban Breeze (3/1), Roman Dragon (7/2), Princess Shabnam (5/1), Aberama Gold (11/2), Whenthedealinsdone (6/1), Paws For Thought (8/1), Absolutelyflawless (9/1), Hello Zabeel (11/1), Bear Profit (14/1), Hyperfocus (16/1)

Little between the principals in a useful sprint but ABERAMA GOLD arrives at the top of his game and with his Hamilton success having been franked so edges the vote. Whenthedealinsdone has slipped to a handy mark so is feared most having got back on track at Windsor last time. Hello Zabeel is another who can't be taken lightly in his bid for a third success since joining Charlie Fellowes and Ripon scorer Hyperfocus completes the shortlist.