July 01 / 15.07 Chester

15.07

Good

Grey Goose Essences Handicap

  • Prize money: £10192
  • 0m 6f 17y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Grey Goose Essences Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/2 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.90

Form: 00-854 CD BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 0lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
C&D winner off a 5lb higher mark last July; coming to the boil this season, latterly finishing a close fourth over C&D two weeks ago (behind Cuban Breeze; well-backed favourite); has the inside stall and another big run looks on the cards.
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

10/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 8-0650 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 10st 1lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Progressive last season, winning twice including at Listed level (6f, good to firm); also ran over C&D three times, finishing second on each occasion (including Listed); she hasn't matched those peak efforts this year, most recently finishing in the pack in last week's Wokingham; dangerous mark now and she's considered in a less demanding handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

19th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Princess Shabnam

9st 9lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: S Woods

Seen more regularly on turf and it's over two years since her one AW win (6f) but she's been running well off much-reduced mark of late; shouldn't be too far away if no ill effects from leaving off the headgear.

9/2

6th

1

(7)

19th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 5

14:15 Lingfield (AW)

Princess Shabnam

9st 9lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: S Woods

took keen hold, prominent, pressed winner over 4f out, lost second over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

9/2

3rd

1

(7)

7th Nov 2024

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Princess Shabnam

9st 9lb

J: Ben Sanderson

T: S Woods

took keen hold, led, headed over 1f out, weakened and lost second towards finish

3/1

8/1

  • Place: £3.50

Form: 022-01 D

Last run: 63 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Into the veteran stage now but ran right up to his best when seeing off his nine rivals in a 5f handicap (soft) at Ripon in April; return to 6f no problem and he has run well over C&D in the past; rain would aid his cause.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

9

(3)

20th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 5f 110y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Hyperfocus

9st 1lb

J: Harry Russell

T: Tim Easterby

Won over C&D (good to soft) last July but he's lost his way and has been out of sorts this season; now 17lb lower than for that last win but the veteran has a lot to prove.

20/1

115

19th Sep 2025

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:40 Ayr

Hyperfocus

8st 8lb

T: Tim Easterby

11

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Haydock

Hyperfocus

9st 2lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Tim Easterby

Four-time course winner who has tumbled down the weights and runs here for the first time this season; however, this 11yo has been struggling this year and a major turnaround is required.

25/1

6/1

Form: 805223 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 4lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a hugely successful campaign last year and after a slow start to this season she has been more competitive of late, most recently a close third over C&D two weeks ago; well drawn and should make another bold bid; visor replaces blinkers.
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

Form: 1-1535 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Two wins for this yard and he has run right up to his best in two starts on turf this summer, the latest of them when fifth (behind two of today's rivals) over C&D two weeks ago; should go well.
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: -71266 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Back to form with a Wolverhampton success in May and she followed that with a close second behind a rapid improver over C&D 12 days later; not quite so good twice since but she has the ability to feature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(5)

11th Jan 2024

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 5

14:40 Southwell (AW)

Absolutelyflawless

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

She hasn't recaptured her best since returning to the AW in October; Rossa Ryan is a notable booking but there are risks attached now she's dropping back to 5f.

16/1

6th

10

(2)

28th Dec 2023

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newcastle (AW)

Absolutelyflawless

9st 5lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Good chance on her spring form but she's gone off the boil more recently; continues to drop in the weights but others look safer.

25/1

OUR TIP

Form: 43-472 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Looks good on his day, as when sauntering clear of nine rivals at Ascot last September (5f, good to soft); three sound efforts this year, most recently finishing second of four at Windsor in May, and he's on the same mark today; has won over 6f but perhaps 5f suits him best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(1)

18th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

16:22 Lingfield

Whenthedealinsdone

9st 9lb

J: George Wood

T: Roger Teal

Landed a hat-trick on the AW early last year, the final leg off 2lb lower; back in form lately, most recently in a race that didn't pan out his way, but needs a bit more back on turf from the lowest stall (likely to be dropped in again).

10/1

4th

7

(3)

10th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 6f 20y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Whenthedealinsdone

9st 4lb

J: George Wood

T: Roger Teal

Awarded Lingfield handicap in early 2025 before going 2-2 over this C&D; just four starts since the latest of those wins last March and firmly back on track when edged out at Chelmsford one month ago; 2lb nudge can't be quibbled with and he needs considering.

7/2

2nd

4

(1)

7th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Chelmsford (AW)

Whenthedealinsdone

9st 7lb

J: George Wood

T: Roger Teal

Notched a hat-trick in the first three months of last year, latterly off a 1lb lower mark; not as good now but remains consistent enough and unlikely to be far away.

6/1

Form: 052811 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
He had dropped in the weights prior to an easy win at Wolverhampton last month (6f); had to work harder to follow up at Hamilton 17 days ago but the runner-up has won since and a 2lb rise doesn't handicap him out of things; lower draw would have been preferable, however.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(2)

2nd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:48 Pontefract

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Multiple winner down the years and gained his most recent success (narrowly, three starts ago) off current mark; subsequent dip in form is the negative.

12/1

11th

1

(15)

17th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 6y

Class 4

18:15 Hamilton

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: David O’Meara

Getting on but retains a lot of his old ability, is still consistent enough and has won over C&D before; rare off-day at Thirsk a fortnight ago, having beating a subsequent winner in a small field off 1lb lower previously; quite capable of bouncing back.

12/1

6th

2

(5)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:55 Thirsk

Aberama Gold

9st 9lb

J: Mark Winn

T: David O’Meara

Retains a large portion of his ability despite his advanced years and took advantage of a reduced mark at Cattterick (6f, good) ten days ago; only nudged up 1lb for that narrow success.

7/2

Form: 613-88 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(6)

16th Oct 2025

Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Bear Profit

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gerard O’Leary

Has won five races up to 1m1f from 34 Flat starts; fine runs in defeat in premier handicaps at Leopardstown and Galway over the summer but was a bit below that level in the Cambridgeshire here last time; can be keen so needs to settle better.

7/1

7

(8)

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

16:37 Curragh

Bear Profit

9st 2lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

Progressive 6yo won at Leopardstown in June and has stepped forward again in thee runs in defeat since, latest when beaten a head in Colm Quinn BMW Mile at Galway; 5lb higher but remains very much one to keep on side.

6/1

12

(3)

29th Jul 2025

Yielding

1m 0f 123y

18:40 Galway

Bear Profit

8st 12lb

J: Nicola Burns

T: Gerard O’Leary

Progressive 6yo won at Leopardstown last month and most recently career-best at same venue when staying on third to Slieve Binnian in premier handicap, having not had the clearest of runs; each-way claims.

12/1

Form: 952-37 CD

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

15

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 4

15:40 Chester

Paws For Thought

9st 5lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Donald McCain

Six times a course winner, including over this trip; can go well fresh and not handicapped out of things but slower ground would have been preferable.

12/1

9th

1

(7)

18th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

13:55 Catterick

Paws For Thought

9st 9lb

J: Charlie Maggs

T: Donald McCain

Gained his sixth win at Chester (5.5f, soft) last month; well beaten at York last month but turning tracks seem to bring out the best in him (has a win and second from only three visits here); not discounted.

9/1

Non-runners

Bear Profit, Paws For Thought

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £26.20
Straight Forecast £22.12
Tricast £250.40
Trifecta £183.00

Selections

The Times:

Absolutelyflawless

RP RATINGS:

Whenthedealinsdone

Telegraph:

Hyperfocus

TOPSPEED:

Princess Shabnam

POSTDATA:

Roman Dragon

NEWMARKET:

Hello Zabeel

SPOTLIGHT:

Cuban Breeze

Daily Mirror:

Aberama Gold

The Guardian:

Absolutelyflawless

Daily Mail:

Absolutelyflawless

D Express:

Absolutelyflawless

LAMBOURN:

Whenthedealinsdone

The Star:

Whenthedealinsdone

Daily Record:

Hyperfocus