June 30 / 20.30 Chester

20.30

Good

Expleo Handicap

  • Prize money: £6115.2
  • 1m 2f 70y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Expleo Handicap

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £2.75
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 43-23

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Plenty of promise in his qualifying runs (beaten a neck on 1m Salisbury reappearance) and made a good start to his handicap career when third over 1m2f at Epsom (good to firm) on Derby day; the winner was a good fourth in the King Edward last week and the second won well at Pontefract on Sunday so the form looks strong.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(3)

23rd Sep 2023

Heavy

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

14:40 Newbury

Balance Play

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

in touch with leaders, cajoled along 4f out, pushed along 3f out, hung left but headway on near side of group 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon edged left, went clear final 110yds, comfortably

7/2

10th

11

(9)

25th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

Balance Play

9st 3lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Creditable third at Epsom (1m2f, good to firm) on handicap debut, before making all at Chester (1m2f, good to soft) and asserting final 1f at Glorious Goodwood (1m3f, good to soft); 1m4f looks manageable and 7lb rise may be too, given he was comfortably on top for both wins; steadily progressive.

4/1

1st

2

(13)

4th Aug 2023

Heavy

1m 3f 44y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Balance Play

9st 8lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

midfield

9/2

7/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 122422

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
7f AW novice winner; runner-up in four of his five handicaps, including C&D last month; got going too late over 1m at Doncaster since and the return to further should suit, as could more severe headgear (first-time blinkers for cheekpieces); unlikely to be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(4)

30th Jun 2023

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

20:30 Chester

Razoni

9st 4lb

J: Jason Watson

T: George Boughey

7f AW novice winner; runner-up in four of his five handicaps, including C&D last month; got going too late over 1m at Doncaster since and the return to further should suit, as could more severe headgear (first-time blinkers for cheekpieces); unlikely to be far away.

7/1

2nd

3

(5)

18th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 213y

Class 4

16:25 Doncaster

Razoni

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: George Boughey

towards rear but in touch with leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 1f out, no impression until kept on well final 110yds, went second final strides

11/2

2nd

1

(2)

27th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

17:15 Chester

Razoni

9st 9lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: George Boughey

prominent

11/2

100/30

Form: 21-562

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 11lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Bought for 200,000gns after winning a 7f AW novice for Sir Michael Stoute last September; back on the up at the third time of asking for his new stable when keeping-on second in 1m York handicap (good to firm) last month; the third and fourth franked that form by winning next time; bred to stay 1m2f; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

23rd Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

19:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Theme Park

9st 12lb

J: Alex Jary

T: Nigel Tinkler

Two wins last year, the latest at Pontefract (1m, good to firm) in September off 8lb higher than today; beaten about only 3l when ninth of 16 at York (1m, good) 46 days ago and now drops in grade on his return to AW.

7/1

13

(15)

7th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 192y

Class 4

17:30 York

Theme Park

9st 5lb

J: Ethan Tindall

T: Nigel Tinkler

Two wins last year (including C&D) and he's 7lb below his last winning mark; there has been the odd bright moment this season and he was a close fourth of seven at Redcar a fortnight ago, but it's been a regressive campaign and it's hard to be confident regarding his claims.

14/1

5

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 219y

Class 4

19:00 Redcar

Theme Park

9st 7lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Well handicapped now, lower than for last season's two wins (both 1m, good to firm), and notable that he was sent off favourite at Chester three weeks ago (extended 1m2f, good to firm); could not reward the support, again unable to pick up from off the pace, and he is risky, for all he has the ability if things set up favourably.

8/1

10/1

Form: 34-22

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Has made the frame on all four starts in maiden/novice events, although Tajawal was merely pushed out to see him off quite comfortably at Ayr (1m, good to firm) last time and not sure a 6lb swing in the weights is enough for him to reverse those placings.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(7)

30th Jun 2023

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 4

20:30 Chester

Lil Frank

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Has made the frame on all four starts in maiden/novice events, although Tajawal was merely pushed out to see him off quite comfortably at Ayr (1m, good to firm) last time and not sure a 6lb swing in the weights is enough for him to reverse those placings.

10/1

2nd

3

(6)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Ayr

Lil Frank

9st 5lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

took keen hold, prominent, pushed along and chased clear leader over 1f out, kept on but no impression final furlong

11/8

2nd

4

(2)

8th May 2023

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 5

16:15 Southwell (AW)

Lil Frank

9st 3lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Two expensive defeats last summer but both efforts look better now than at the time; was said to have hung left latterly and retains potential having since been gelded.

7/2

28/1

Form: 373182 D

Last run: 95 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Had 28 starts in just under 12 months in France, winning three of them, the latest over 1m2f; claimed after finishing a close second at Fontainebleau (1m3f, soft) in March; his mark looks manageable on his peak RPRs but he bumps into a few unexposed types on this British debut; best watched.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

18th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

18:45 Worcester

Mandega

10st 10lb

J: Alice Stevens

T: Micky Hammond

Fair Flat-racer who has made the frame on all five hurdling starts, most recently when close third at Cartmel (2m1f, soft) in May; that form isn't anything out of the ordinary but, nevertheless, he has each-way claims again.

4/1

7th

5

(2)

27th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 5

14:10 Nottingham

Mandega

9st 10lb

J: Dominique Van Der Kraats

T: Micky Hammond

Ran creditably last month at Doncaster (1m4f) and Cartmel (2m1f novice hurdle); not far away on that evidence but others are preferred for the win.

11/2

Form: 07-151

Last run: 143 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
All six starts on AW, showing improved form when winning two handicaps over the extended 1m at Wolverhampton at the start of 2023; makes turf debut after five months off in a warm-looking race but further progress can't be discounted; market support worth noting given the stable has last weekend's 1m2f Royal Ascot 3yo handicap winner Burdett Road to compare him to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

9

(2)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

14:50 Newbury

Noodle Mission

9st 0lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Edward Smyth-Osbourne

May have needed the run at Kempton 12 days ago but he ended up well beaten; he has a lower turf mark to exploit but is a better horse on AW; others look safer.

16/1

10th

5

(1)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Noodle Mission

9st 6lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Edward Smyth-Osbourne

Has claims on his best form last year but he ended last season with a poor run at Leicester (7f, good) in October and his last win was 21 months ago; others preferred.

25/1

13

(16)

14th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:44 Leicester

Noodle Mission

9st 4lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Edward Smyth-Osbourne

Capable but not particularly consistent; won four times last year, at 7f/1m, three on the AW, the other a 7f Newmarket handicap; sound run when fourth at Kempton last time (7f, standard to slow); capable of going well.

33/1

Form: 2-331

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
May not be straightforward (headgear quickly reached for) but it's tough to knock what he's done on the track, comfortably seeing off the reopposing Lil' Frank when making it fourth time lucky at Ayr (1m, good to firm) in maiden company 25 days ago; steps back up in trip for handicap debut; should be very competitive, particularly with Harry Davies taking 3lb off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(1)

6th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

17:45 Newcastle (AW)

Tajawal

9st 12lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Close third behind Starshiba and Miami Thunder in similar event over C&D when last seen ten weeks ago, doing well considering he perhaps didn't have the ideal track position; gelded since (hasn't always looked straightforward); retains low mileage and may do better still; possibilities.

4/1

4

(6)

10th Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 192y

Class 3

14:15 York

Tajawal

9st 4lb

J: William Buick

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Maiden winner who ran poorly on his handicap debut at Chester (1m2f) but got back on track with a close third at Newcastle (1m); gelded since and Buick is booked, so one to consider.

6/1

3rd

5

(3)

29th Jul 2023

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

16:25 Newcastle (AW)

Tajawal

9st 9lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Simon & Ed Crisford

Didn't need to improve on earlier efforts to win a 1m maiden at Ayr last month (made all as the 2-7 favourite); ran poorly at Chester (1m2f, good to soft) on his handicap debut four weeks ago; better than that but he needs to bounce back quickly; visor off.

4/1

Form: 4-96

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 71

Form & Verdict
Australia colt who has hinted at promise on all his three runs, racing wide when sixth of nine in 1m Nottingham novice 26 days ago; he appeals as the sort to do a fair bit better now his stamina is drawn out more in handicap company; interesting, particularly if backed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

7

(1)

9th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

14:55 Ascot

Gordon Grey

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

In the form of his life when winning four in a row for Ben Brookhouse last summer, namely a maiden hurdle followed by three Flat handicaps over 1m2f and 1m4f (twice) on good/good to firm; better effort in Bahrain for George Baker this year when third of seven over 1m2f (good to firm) five weeks ago; returns to Britain on a career-high mark and may prove vulnerable to less-exposed sorts.

20/1

2

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:20 Epsom

Gordon Grey

11st 8lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) in June; completed a hat-trick (first leg was over hurdles) when defying penalty under Paul Hainey at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) last month and a 4lb rise for that success looks fair; usually sets the pace and he's a big player again in his bid to make it 3-4 over C&D; cheekpieces added.

5/2

1st

1

(5)

24th Jul 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

17:50 Newbury

Gordon Grey

11st 7lb

J: Mr Paul Hainey

T: B F Brookhouse

Won the 2024 Ladies' Derby at Epsom and repeated the trick when romping away with this year's edition (1m4f, good to firm) one week ago; 2-3 under amateur riders and he's run respectably here before; 2lb well in under the penalty and rider Paul Hainey has already impressed this season.

6/4

Non-runners

Gordon Grey

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £16.50
Straight Forecast £21.61
Tricast £81.45
Trifecta £55.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Balance Play

Telegraph:

Noodle Mission

TOPSPEED:

Theme Park

NEWMARKET:

Tajawal

POSTDATA:

Razoni

Daily Record:

Tajawal

Daily Mirror:

Noodle Mission

The Sun:

Noodle Mission

The Times:

Theme Park

The Guardian:

Theme Park

RP RATINGS:

Balance Play

Daily Mail:

Balance Play

D Express:

Balance Play

The Star:

Balance Play