Today / 17.12 Chester

17.12

Good To Soft

Summer Saturday On 27th June Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £7731
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 4
  • 12 runners
SKY
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Summer Saturday On 27th June Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

OUR TIP

Form: /019-5

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Won at Ayr wearing cheekpieces in April and it wasn't a bad effort when fifth at Ripon (again 1m2f, good) 16 days ago; concerning that the run in between came over this C&D when beaten 24l and said not to have been suited by the track, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(7)

28th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 170y

Class 3

15:40 Ripon

Spirit Of Acklam

9st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael & David Easterby

Scored with a fair degree of authority at Ayr (1m2f, good; from 2lb lower) in April 2025; absent since toiling at Chester 362 days ago, which raises concerns, but he did win over C&D on his 2024 reappearance; the betting should help to guide expectations.

11/1

Form: 1/950- D

Last run: 250 days

W: 9st 4lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Won two 1m4f handicaps at Southwell in late 2024 but he didn't match that form in three starts last year and left Archie Watson for 5,000gns in October; yard (also runs Shipshape) won this with a 33-1 shot last year and this one is likely to be a similar price.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(10)

23rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Wiltshire Wonder

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Archie Watson

Dual 1m4f winner here who ran poorly when last seen eight months ago (was withdrawn a week later, when found to be coughing, which may have had something to do with it); interesting to see how he goes in the market.

10/1

Form: -86676

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Left Ralph Beckett after 1m2f Redcar novice win (good to soft) in October; that form has not been reached in her six handicaps since but latest sixth of 17 at York (1m4f, good) was a fair effort from the widest stall one month ago; draw has been kinder today and she's edging down the weights; tongue-tie goes on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(17)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Helmsley

9st 1lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Left Ralph Beckett after 1m2f Redcar novice win (good to soft) in October; that form has not been reached in her five handicaps since, most at 1m but never dangerous latest when back up to 1m4f at Thirsk; others preferred.

18/1

7th

2

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

16:32 Thirsk

Helmsley

9st 8lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Ivan Furtado

Ended her time with Ralph Beckett with 1m2f Redcar novice success but she has failed to fire subsequently for Ivan Furtado, only sixth of eight in 1m Newcastle handicap last time; tried back over a much longer trip now.

33/1

Form: 293-62 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Three-time winner who didn't get the breaks when sixth on her stable debut at Newcastle at the start of May and she went down narrowly at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) 17 days later; these conditions should be fine and she warrants consideration.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(6)

18th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

21:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Free Speech

10st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Sam England

Three wins for Ed Dunlop; sold for 5,000gns last October; denied a run on several occasions on her stable debut at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) 17 days ago; will be suited by the step back up in trip and not out of this.

6/1

6th

5

(4)

1st May 2026

Standard

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

17:20 Newcastle (AW)

Free Speech

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: Sam England

Patchy during a limited campaign last year for Ed Dunlop; wins as a 3yo came on soft turf and this trip looks a bare minimum for her new yard on comeback.

16/1

Form: 227841 CD

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Track regular who won here over 14.5f (good to soft) in 2021 and at this trip (good to firm) in 2024; recorded a sixth success when scoring at Goodwood (1m1f, good to soft) last week; beat one was chasing a hat-trick that day and a 3lb nudge looks manageable; not disgraced over an inadequate 7.5f at Chester on Friday.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(4)

12th Jun 2026

Good

0m 7f 127y

Class 5

17:28 Chester

Oman

9st 9lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Of his six wins on the Flat, two have been at this track over 1m4f+; returned to winning ways with Myla Coppins aboard at Goodwood (1m1f, good to soft) last Friday and escapes a penalty as it was a race for apprentices; hasn't raced over a distance this short since his debut six years ago and vulnerable to speedier sorts.

4/1

1st

1

(5)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 1f 11y

Class 5

17:25 Goodwood

Oman

10st 0lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Versatile ground-wise and he wasn't far off the principals last time at Lingfield (1m2f); hard to call him well handicapped but entitled to have some say.

7/1

Form: 7841-3

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
1-2 on the AW and 0-9 on turf, though in the frame seven times as when third of 15 in apprentice handicap over C&D (good) on his reappearance last month; a couple of those in behind have won since and he makes the shortlist.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

14

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Newtown Duke

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Led close home to open account at Newcastle (1m, AW) in November, his tenth start; not seen again since but has a favourable draw and could plausibly have untapped potential over middle distances on turf.

8/1

Form: 575-36

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
0-5 in Ireland for Dermot Weld but he looked unlucky on his stable/handicap debut when third of 14 at Nottingham (1m2f) in April; once again got no luck in running over that C&D (also good) ten days ago and pedigree suggests the return to this trip should be no problem; big player if getting the breaks this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(9)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

16:18 Nottingham

Kasgani

9st 6lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

0-5 in Ireland for Dermot Weld but he caught the eye on his stable debut over C&D 46 days ago, staying on for third behind Caph Star having been denied a clear run; that was his first start since October and this unexposed gelding is on the shortlist.

7/2

3rd

2

(15)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 50y

Class 5

18:45 Nottingham

Kasgani

9st 8lb

J: Zak Wheatley

T: Declan Carroll

0-5 in maidens at up to 1m4f in Ireland for Dermot Weld; sold for 16,000euros in November; remains unexposed but the betting is perhaps the best guide to expectations on handicap and yard debut after seven months off; drawn widest.

14/1

Form: -52121

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Running well since sent beyond 1m4f and he took those form figures to 2121 when landing small-field Hamilton handicap (1m5f, good to firm) 17 days ago; probably acts on softer than good and he can't be ignored in current mood, despite the drop back down in trip, for last year's winning yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(3)

27th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

15:35 Hamilton

Shipshape

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Running well since upped to 1m6f, recording form figures of 212 on his last three starts; no obvious reason he wouldn't go well again and he is travelling a long way for this assignment.

15/8

2nd

5

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

15:15 Thirsk

Shipshape

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Bernard Llewellyn

Positive start to his time with Bernard Llewellyn, getting off the mark in 1m6f Soutthwell handicap 17 days ago; showed promise on turf for previous yard and should remain competitive off 4lb higher.

4/1

Form: 263306

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 10lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 67

Form & Verdict
Won heavy-ground Ffos Las novice in 2024 for Ed Walker; solid run of form for this yard this year came to a screeching halt over C&D in May and it was the same story, despite market support, at Haydock last time; hard to recommend at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(9)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 2f 42y

Class 5

16:05 Haydock

Imperial Trooper

9st 9lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jennie Candlish

Placed on three of five starts this year; wide draw no help at Chester two weeks ago when he had his first crack at 1m4f (tailed off); reverts to 1m2f and probably okay on the ground, so he's considered each-way.

12/1

15th

16

(16)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 4

17:20 Chester

Imperial Trooper

9st 3lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Jennie Candlish

Placed on three of his four starts this year, most recently when keeping on well for third on last month's turf return at Redcar (1m2f, good to firm); will presumably be dropped in again from his wide draw today; might need some luck but looks well worth a crack at 1m4f.

8/1

Form: 244234

Last run: 3 days

W: 8st 7lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 64

Form & Verdict
Captured a third success when winning at Newcastle (1m2f, AW) in December but he's still 3lb higher despite going 0-12 subsequently; has run well on plenty of those occasions, and today's conditions should be fine, but others are more interesting for win purposes.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(4)

10th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 6

20:40 Kempton (AW)

Golspie

9st 8lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Patrick Morris

Kept busy in 2026 and running well without winning, in the frame for the sixth time with third of nine in 1m2f Haydock handicap 19 days ago; not out of things on his Polytrack debut.

8/1

Form: 1476-6 D

Last run: 56 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
Won twice last year around this trip (good to soft and good) and there was some encouragement when sixth of 12 at Thirsk (1m4f, good) on her reappearance in April; subsequently had wind surgery and she's tried in a hood (dam scored in one) today; not ruled out back down to her last winning mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

10

(3)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 8y

Class 4

16:32 Thirsk

Idyllic

8st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Wilf Storey

A two-time scorer, including over C&D in the first half of 2025 but she ended last year under something of a cloud; needs to hit the ground running on her seasonal return.

20/1

5

(1)

9th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

13:40 Ayr

Idyllic

9st 6lb

J: Paula Muir

T: Wilf Storey

Inconsistent filly who was tailed off at Newcastle (1m4f, AW) four weeks ago and is unproven on soft/heavy ground; however, she's won two of her seven starts this year (1m3f/1m4f, good to soft/good) and isn't written off.

12/1

Form: 443322 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 4lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Completed a hat-trick of 1m4f AW wins in January/February; has continued to run well since and he sported first-time cheekpieces when just held over that C&D 11 days ago; 2lb 'wrong' but acts on turf and likely to go well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(7)

2nd Jun 2026

Standard

1m 4f 98y

Class 6

18:45 Newcastle (AW)

Havachoc

9st 7lb

J: Cian Horgan

T: Patrick Morris

Completed a hat-trick of wins in January/February, the third off 2lb lower over C&D; has continued in good form and is 2lb better off having been beaten 0.5l by Rubellite at Wolverhampton last time; interesting.

4/1

Betting Forcast

12/1 Spirit Of Acklam, 33/1 Wiltshire Wonder, 12/1 Helmsley, 6/1 Free Speech, 6/1 Oman, 5/1 Newtown Duke, 5/1 Kasgani, 4/1 Shipshape, 20/1 Imperial Trooper, 14/1 Golspie, 16/1 Idyllic, 10/1 Havachoc

Verdict

A fair few to consider, including Shipshape and Havachoc who are in great nick at present and likely to go well again. Newtown Duke and Free Speech also posted good efforts last time but KASGANI has been shaping like a winner waiting to happen and gets the nod. Helmsley or Idyllic may reward each-way support at likely bigger odds.[Richard Russell]

Selections

The Guardian:

Newtown Duke

The Times:

Helmsley

SPOTLIGHT:

Kasgani

The Star:

Shipshape

POSTDATA:

Imperial Trooper

TOPSPEED:

Spirit Of Acklam

Daily Mirror:

Oman

Telegraph:

Helmsley

Daily Mail:

Helmsley

RP RATINGS:

Kasgani

D Express:

Newtown Duke

The Sun:

Newtown Duke

Daily Record:

Newtown Duke