June 17 / 16.30 Chester

16.30

Good

Edinburgh Gin Classic Handicap

  • Prize money: £6115.2
  • 0m 6f 17y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Edinburgh Gin Classic Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £30.60
  • Place: £5.80

Form: 2-3078

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Dual winner in France; placed in big field at Doncaster on British debut but has failed to match that effort in three runs since; that said, looks well treated if able to turn things around.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:38 Nottingham

Faro De San Juan

9st 9lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Dylan Cunha

4-29 on turf and although he hasn't won on genuine soft ground he again showed he acts on it when second at Bath (5.7f) latest; each-way player.

4/1

2nd

4

(5)

21st Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

16:10 Bath

Faro De San Juan

9st 9lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Dylan Cunha

Has patchy record but he won on fast ground at Windsor (5f) in July and was beaten less than 2l on soft at Redcar (fourth of 11) last time; seems tactically versatile and he's not ruled out on this drop back on grade.

13/2

7

(10)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:37 Redcar

Faro De San Juan

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dylan Cunha

Dropped away in the final furlong in the race won Our Absent Friends at Ripon last week; Paul Mulrennan is a good booking (close fourth on him at Newmarket 11 months ago) but others appeal more.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £8.80

Form: 263124 D

Last run: 47 days

W: 8st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Generally consistent on AW this year, scoring twice; form dipped at Windsor on the return to turf; all wins in lower grades and can be opposed at this level from an unfavourable draw.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(2)

9th Aug 2023

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 4

15:00 Brighton

Bezzas Lad

9st 4lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Tony Carroll

Dual 5f AW winner this year; ought to have handled the soft ground better when down the field at Chester last month but was creditable second from awkward draw there (6f, good) two starts ago; no surprise if he makes a bold bid from the front here.

12/1

7th

8

(3)

14th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

20:05 Chester

Bezzas Lad

8st 11lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Tony Carroll

Two front-running wins at Lingfield (6f and 5f; AW) this year; good second over 6f here four weeks ago (drawn wide); better berthed today and still feasibly treated; may have stablemate Recon Mission to worry about for the early lead.

13/2

OUR TIP

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 580522 C BF

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Back in better form with a couple of second-place finishes over 6f this month, latest at Haydock (good to firm) where she went down by just half a length in first-time blinkers (replaced usual visor); 2lb below last winning mark and has clear possibilities in the retained blinds.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(1)

26th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:15 Salisbury

Cuban Breeze

9st 5lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: David Evans

Last two wins at 6f but has been shaping as if this return to 5f will suit; defied higher marks twice under Pat Cosgrave in the summer of 2022 and holds major claims on that form.

9/1

4th

3

(8)

7th Jun 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:28 Haydock

Cuban Breeze

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

led

8/1

6th

3

(7)

20th May 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

18:40 Windsor

Cuban Breeze

9st 0lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Evans

Won a big race over C&D in 2022 off 6lb higher; only 1lb higher than for her game success at Chelmsford in November but she'll need to be somewhere near her best on this return from five months off.

6/1

11/4

Form: 400-85 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Shaped better than bare result over 7f at Haydock three weeks ago, leaving the impression this return to 6f will suit; 3-4 over this C&D, including a success of 4lb higher on good ground last July (has won on soft); very interesting from a favourable draw back in this scenario.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

2

(7)

30th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Enhanced his excellent course record when narrowly landing a 5f handicap at the May meeting; stays 7f but rarely seen at the trip now; may prove vulnerable to stronger stayers.

11/2

1st

3

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 2

13:30 Chester

Roman Dragon

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hugo Palmer

Chester specialist whose seven course wins include this race last year (off current mark under Oisin Murphy) and Listed event later in 2025; inconsistent elsewhere since but commands respect returned to the Roodee; favourably drawn.

3/1

12th

7

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Roman Dragon

9st 5lb

J: David Probert

T: Hugo Palmer

Well handicapped on his best form last season but he's not easy to predict and has been up and down during another spell in Bahrain since December; comes with risks attached back in Britain and most of his wins have been at Chester; tongue-tie worn last time is removed.

25/1

Form: 51-153 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
2-4 on AW compared to just 1-12 on turf; however, ran creditably in first-time cheekpieces at Windsor (6f; finished third) last month and holds an each-way shout off same mark in the retained headgear.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(6)

11th Mar 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Hello Zabeel

9st 9lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Michael Blake

Has form in better races than this but he's on a losing run now and failed to benefit from a drop to this level at Southwell (6f) last month; needs revival back over 7f on course debut.

6/1

6th

2

(4)

7th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Hello Zabeel

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Michael Blake

Losing run up to 16, but he has winning form over C&D and drops to this level for the first time; not beaten far the last twice and a major player on these terms; cheekpieces removed.

9/2

6th

2

(4)

7th Feb 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

18:45 Southwell (AW)

Hello Zabeel

9st 9lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Michael Blake

Losing run up to 16, but he has winning form over C&D and drops to this level for the first time; not beaten far the last twice and a major player on these terms; cheekpieces removed.

9/2

Form: 3-8014 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Back in better form the last twice, getting up in the final strides at Carlisle then 2l fourth at Hamilton, both over 5f on fast ground; effective at 6f in the past; enters calculations from good draw, despite career-high mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(4)

30th May 2026

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 5

16:12 Catterick

Ramon Di Loria

8st 6lb

J: Aiden Brookes

T: Ewan Whillans

Multiple AW and turf winner from 5f-7f; back on his last winning turf mark from Ayr 13 months ago (has twice won on AW since); below par latest but not ruled out if able to bounce back.

10/1

6th

9

(3)

26th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 6

17:07 Southwell (AW)

Ramon Di Loria

9st 2lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Won twice (6f/7f) in February and he was a good second to a thriving rival over C&D in his bid for a hat-trick; beaten off a lower mark twice since and more minor money perhaps his best hope.

8/1

5th

9

(6)

17th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ramon Di Loria

9st 1lb

J: Greg Fairley

T: Ewan Whillans

Dual course winner last month who's continued in form since, faring best of those held up when not far behind Bomb Squad over C&D on Friday; one of the likelier winners.

4/1

Form: 7-4812 BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
All wins over 5f, the most recent at Pontefract two starts ago; close second at Doncaster (good to firm) returned to 6f last time and has a fighting chance with this sharper test looking ideal.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(10)

22nd May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 3y

Class 5

19:22 Pontefract

Ventura Express

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

Four of his six wins have come over C&D, including the corresponding race in 2024; drew a blank in 2025 but retains ability and he has run some solid races in defeat this year too, keeping on for fourth at Beverley 18 days ago; drops in class but he has the widest stall to contend with.

8/1

4th

7

(6)

4th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:15 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 0lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Paul Midgley

9yo who is on an 18-race losing run; good second over C&D last July (good to firm) and is now 3lb lower.

10/1

5th

4

(1)

23rd Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:52 Beverley

Ventura Express

9st 7lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Paul Midgley

Has won two of three C&D starts (good and good to firm), the latest in July 2024; went very close to breaking the losing run when involved in a tight finish on Southwell AW in March; convincing claims.

9/2

Form: 5-6203 D

Last run: 75 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Campaigned on AW this year, creditable third over 7f at Newcastle when last seen; gained last three wins over 6f on sharp tracks and fast ground; seems to have suitable circumstances but badly underperformed in this contest 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

8th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Toussarok

9st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Off colour last time but was only a neck away in 7f handicaps at Wolverhampton and Lingfield prior to that; respected.

12/1

7th

12

(3)

26th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Toussarok

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Still 8lb higher than when winning over C&D in September, but narrow defeats off similar marks to this in his last two outings suggest he is capable of playing a part.

9/2

3

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Toussarok

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

A string of good runs at Brighton before collecting by 3l over C&D in a race that panned out to perfection; bled from the nose when disappointing at Brighton last time but he's 7lb higher than for his penultimate run and could have competition for the lead back on AW.

9/2

10/1

Form: -73001 CD

Last run: 32 days

W: 8st 13lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Defied a 3lb higher mark in this race last year (from stall 4) and returned to form with a success at Wetherby (5.5f; got up on line) last month; 1-1 at Chester and well handicapped in this repeat bid but has the worst of the draw this time round.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(8)

8th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Ballyare

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lucinda Russell

One-time useful sprinter but his powers are on the wane; showed he could still cut it at this level when a close fourth over C&D last month but he'll need the pace to collapse if he's to end his barren spell.

8/1

7th

2

(8)

8th Feb 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 5f 0y

Class 6

17:00 Newcastle (AW)

Ballyare

9st 9lb

J: David Nolan

T: Lucinda Russell

One-time useful sprinter but his powers are on the wane; showed he could still cut it at this level when a close fourth over C&D last month but he'll need the pace to collapse if he's to end his barren spell.

8/1

5th

7

(1)

18th Jan 2025

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 6

19:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Ballyare

9st 1lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: Lucinda Russell

midfield

15/2

Form: 2-1117 D BF

Last run: 91 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Absent since a disappointing effort at Wolverhampton three months ago when bidding for a 7f AW four-timer; sprint winner on turf but best form in this sphere is on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

16

(19)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:00 York

Follow Your Heart

9st 2lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Mark Loughnane

Behind on his only run here (2023); Doncaster last June saw his only turf win since 2021, amidst plenty of AW success admittedly but he was out of form in February when last seen; has a competitive mark but other cases look a bit more solid, particularly as he's drawn wide.

33/1

4th

2

(3)

13th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Follow Your Heart

9st 7lb

J: Warren Fentiman

T: Mark Loughnane

Six-time course winner, most recently off 2lb lower in December; finished an aggregate of almost 3l behind Diamondonthehill in two subsequent starts; that solid rival seems to have the upper hand.

3/1

6th

3

(3)

4th Feb 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:10 Kempton (AW)

Follow Your Heart

9st 6lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Loughnane

Record of 10-46 on AW, the most recent success at Wolverhampton in December; respectable fourth to Echalar there in follow-up attempt and remains in form.

9/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £539.50
Straight Forecast £654.63
Tricast £4345.51
Trifecta £4395.10

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Roman Dragon

The Guardian:

Ventura Express

POSTDATA:

Ramon Di Loria

RP RATINGS:

Toussarok

NEWMARKET:

Hello Zabeel

Telegraph:

Cuban Breeze

Daily Mail:

Ballyare

THE NORTH:

Roman Dragon

The Times:

Roman Dragon

D Express:

Roman Dragon

The Star:

Roman Dragon

The Sun:

Ramon Di Loria

TOPSPEED:

Toussarok

Daily Mirror:

Ventura Express

Daily Record:

Ventura Express