17:10 Leicester

Saturday 5 July 2025

All16:0316:3817:1017:4718:1818:48

Dark Horse Chardonnay Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 2m 6.92s

(1)

Ricardo Phillips²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 52

3/1

Remains a maiden after 8 starts but showed promise with fourth in a 12f AW handicap last winter. Ran well to finish third of 10 in a 10f handicap at Bath (10/1) 29 days ago, doing best of those ridden close up after a 6-month break. Should be capable of building on that.

Form: 80754-3

(7)

Offiah's Boy¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: J Tickle| OR: 51| BF| D

15/2

Off the mark at Lingfield over 10f 17 days ago when making all. Second of 6 in classified race at Bath (8f) at 13/8 a week later, just failing after challenging late. Returns to C&D where ran well in May and looks capable of going close.

Form: 8-29912

(2)

Naughty Niall³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 50

18/1

Poor recent form, including when last of 12 in 9f handicap at Wolverhampton (18/1) in May and he has a lot to prove back on turf.

Form: 001-770

(10)

The Pug²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Finley Marsh| T: A Wintle| OR: 49| D

5/1

Ran well when second of 11 at Windsor (15/2) in May but not in the same form at Nottingham (9/1) 23 days ago, better placed than most. Cheekpieces removed in quest to snap lengthy losing sequence.

Form: 037624

(11)

Balqaa¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: Mrs Stella Barclay| OR: 49| D

8/1

Has been running with credit in recent starts, third of 10 in handicap at Beverley (18/1) 18 days ago, making good late headway after being held up. Has never won on turf but looks capable of exploiting this lowly mark.

Form: 355563

(5)

Bandello^p,t²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: George Wood| T: J Candlish| OR: 47

14/1

Still seeking first win after 13 runs, finished third of 9 in classified race at Wolverhampton (8/1) 25 days ago, getting closer than previously to breaking duck. Upped further in trip and he's a contender on that run.

Form: 0-75473

(9)

Formal Address^h,t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Charlie Bennett| T: B R Johnson| OR: 46

25/1

Fifth of 7 in classified race at Lingfield (9/1) 14 days ago, slowly into stride and unable to land a meaningful blow.

Form: 355035

(3)

Sansanetti²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: S C Williams| OR: 52| D

5/2

Failed to show much in maiden/novice races before winning a 9-runner 10f handicap at Chelmsford (25/1) 23 days ago, proving well suited by the step up in trip. Bred to be better than this level so should be more to come.

Form: 50-91

(8)

Fasnelli^v1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 51

66/1

Has shown little in four starts, finishing last of 12 at Redcar (100/1) 14 days ago. First-time visor applied.

Form: 0-700

(4)

Rolling Luck^h,t⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Jack Doughty| T: S Woods| OR: 47

14/1

Limited impact so far but did make late headway when fifth of 10 at Yarmouth (12/1) 8 days ago.

Form: 0-4085

Non-Runners

(6)

Jester Queen²³

Weight: 8-7| Age: 3

T: D J Jeffreys J: S D Bowen

Forecasts

Sansanetti (5/2), Ricardo Phillips (3/1), The Pug (5/1), Offiah's Boy (15/2), Balqaa (8/1), Rolling Luck (14/1), Bandello (14/1), Naughty Niall (18/1), Formal Address (25/1), Jester Queen (50/1), Fasnelli (66/1)

BALQAA has been knocking on the door in handicaps and can gain a deserved success after a strong-finishing third at Beverley. Ricardo Phillips shaped promisingly when third at Bath after a break and can build on that effort. Offiah's Boy and Sansanetti complete the shortlist.