14:25 Chester

Saturday 29 June 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Whispering Angel Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 38.06s

(4)

Selwan²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Ian Williams| OR: 80| D

20/1

3-time winner in France before proving very disappointing on these shore last year. More encouraging signs for new yard in recent months, not ideally placed when fourth in handicap at Kempton (12f) 24 days ago. Mark has eased a little more and he's one to keep an eye on.

Form: 1/80-754

(1)

Melek Alreeh²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: S De Sousa| T: D M Simcock| OR: 79| D

10/1

Had an underwhelming 4-y-o campaign but eased in weights and built on reappearance promise when successful in 7-runner Southwell handicap (12f) in March. Struggled up in class on sole start since at Haydock (11.8f) 3 weeks ago but this drop in grade rates a plus.

Form: 656-218

(7)

Percy Jones¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 74| D

10/1

Ran well on a couple of occasions here last term prior to adding to his tally at Wolverhampton (14f) in August. Returned to action in good heart, seeming to just find a better treated pair too strong over 15.9f here 2 weeks ago. May have to settle for a minor role again.

Form: 155-353

(5)

Open Secret⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 78| BF

10/3

Lightly-raced son of Cracksman who ran up to his best when runner-up in a Goodwood maiden (14f) last week, no match for the winner late on but well on top of the remainder. Should give another good account from the front returned to handicaps.

Form: 3-2342

(2)

Bur Dubai²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D Tudhope| T: K P De Foy| OR: 78| BF

6/4

Lightly-raced maiden who ran well when chasing home a subsequent winner on handicap debut at Kempton (12f) in May. Didn't look ideally served by the drop back in trip when third at Hamilton (9f) latest and return to this sort of test ought to see him in a better light.

Form: 343-623

(6)

Frankelian¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 76

3/1

Fair form in trio of 1m maidens during second half of last season and improved for step up in trip/switch to handicaps when third of 10 on return at Salisbury (9.9f) earlier this month. Bred to be a fair bit better than her opening mark and likely she can do better. Up in trip.

Form: 536-3

(3)

Busby^p¹⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Aiden Brookes⁽³⁾| T: P A Kirby| OR: 60

50/1

In good order on all-weather earlier this year but he's ran poorly on each of his last 2 starts since returning to turf and percentage call to look elsewhere now tackling this longer trip.

Form: 9-32377

Forecasts

Bur Dubai (6/4), Frankelian (3/1), Open Secret (10/3), Percy Jones (10/1), Melek Alreeh (10/1), Selwan (20/1), Busby (50/1)

Having chased home a subsequent winner on his penultimate start, BUR DUBAI seemed to find the drop back in trip against him when third at Hamilton earlier this month and with the return to this stiffer test likely in his favour, he can prove his mark a workable one. Frankelian improved when third on handicap debut at Salisbury and can do better again now her stamina is tested further. Open Secret is another fancied to feature.