16:10 Chester

Saturday 28 June 2025

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:20

John Smith's Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 1m 25.24s

(6)

Perfect Part²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Shay Farmer⁽⁷⁾| T: B Ellison| OR: 95

11/2

Shock winner of the Hilary Needler at Beverley on debut last June and largely acquitted herself well since, finishing a solid fourth of 14 on handicap debut at York on penultimate start. Filled the same spot in a 9-runner listed event at Musselburgh last time, but she looks vulnerable here.

Form: 58-4744

(2)

Cosi Bello³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: George Wood| T: C Fellowes| OR: 93| D

2/1

Built on cosy debut success when making it 2-2 in impressive fashion at Kempton (7f) last month, a performance backed up by the clock. Bred to be smart and, with the strong possibility of further improvement now pitched into a handicap/switched to turf, he has to enter calculations.

Form: 11

(3)

Milford¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 93

13/2

Clear-cut winner of 5f Hamilton maiden on debut last season and ended that campaign by finishing a fine third in a listed contest at York. Another good effort on the Knavesmire when a close third in a 7f handicap there last month, but subsequent display at this course was not so good.

Form: 623-937

(4)

Royalty Bay²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: D Swift| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 92

40/1

Dual novice winner over 6f last summer and also second in French Group 3 during that period. However, she came up short both subsequent starts at 2 yrs and was safely held on return in a listed contest at Musselburgh. Handicap debut.

Form: 61257-8

(1)

Catalyse²⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| BF

7/1

Made winning start at Hamilton last June before finishing mid-division in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot later that month. No further progress when runner-up back from a break in an Ayr novice in September (gelded since), though, and step forward needed now handicapping.

Form: 102-

(9)

Gallant^t²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 89

13/2

Landed a 6f Kempton novice on the second of his 2 starts at 2 yrs and, following a couple of eye-catching efforts in handicaps at Newmarket and York, he resumed winning ways at Lingfield (1m, AW) last time. 5 lb rise fair and open to further improvement now back at 7f. Big player despite wide draw.

Form: 51-4491

(5)

Rajaking²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Ray Dawson| T: S C Williams| OR: 86

22/1

Chelmsford maiden winner on sole 2-y-o start and improved when accounting for 11 rivals in a 6f novice at Windsor on his seasonal reappearance. No show on subsequent handicap debut over the same C&D, though, and needs to get back on track now upped to 7f.

Form: 1-19

(8)

Sweet Fantastic^p²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R Kingscote| T: H Palmer| OR: 82| D

6/1

Won 7f Kempton handicap in January and thereabouts on each of his 4 subsequent runs, finishing a close third over 7.6f here on penultimate start before going down narrowly in a big-field at York (7f, firm). Stall 8 not ideal, but he will be a danger to all if able to get into a good early position.

Form: 3-13432

(7)

Mayday Malone⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Jay Mackay⁽⁷⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 78

12/1

Runner-up in a pretty valuable C&D maiden last September and again found just one too good here in a soft-ground 7.6f handicap earlier this month. Followed that with another second-place finish on better ground at Newmarket (7f, good) and another prominent role is probably on the cards.

Form: 244-022

Non-Runners

(10)

The Dragon King¹⁴

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Cosi Bello (2/1), Perfect Part (11/2), Sweet Fantastic (6/1), Milford (13/2), Gallant (13/2), Catalyse (7/1), Mayday Malone (12/1), Rajaking (22/1), The Dragon King (33/1), Royalty Bay (40/1)

While COSI BELLO's opening mark is no gift, he clocked a good time when maintaining his unbeaten record in a Kempton novice and there could be plenty more to come from this well-bred type now that he makes the switch to handicap company. Another positive factor is his draw in stall two, whereas Gallant and Sweet Fantastic, though both greatly respected, will need luck from their wide berths. Mayday Malone is also shortlisted.