14:45 Chester

Saturday 17 June 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:00

Edinburgh Gin Cannonball Handicap

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 2m 14.34s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Evocative Spark^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: Ollie Sangster| OR: 85| C

10/1

Won twice last year, including at this track 12 months ago, but rather lost his way towards the end of the season. Gelded and left George Boughey prior to his return but has failed to fire on both outings this term. Cheekpieces replace the hood worn last time and steps up in trip.

Form: 1070-64

(9)

Box To Box³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 85| CD

9/4

Three-time winner in 2022, including over C&D, but not at his best on his last two starts at Sakhir over the winter. Entitled to be sharper for his C&D return last month and having dropped back down to his last winning mark, he's one to look out for.

Form: 4449-06

(10)

Cockalorum¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 84| D

11/2

Fallen long way in weights and confirmed his effectiveness fresh when ending losing run from the front at Ripon in April. Shade fortunate to make it back-to-back wins there earlier this month and arrives on a hat-trick from just a 2 lb higher mark.

Form: 4025-11

(7)

Bizarre Law^v1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

9/1

Made an encouraging return to action after 7 months off when third at Kempton but below that level on both subsequent starts, finding trouble back on turf at Haydock last month. First-time headgear applied and not discounted.

Form: 344-364

(8)

Sucellus^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: O Greenall & J Guerriero| OR: 82| D

22/1

Best effort last season when winning 12-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in October, better placed than most. Might have needed the run after 7 months off when down the field at Carlisle last month and now stepped significantly back up in trip.

Form: 99361-4

(5)

Power of Darkness^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 80

14/1

Nearly 2 years without a win but wasted no time getting back on track when mid-field at Yarmouth earlier this month, ideally needing a more truly-run affair. Disappointed on his only other try at this trip so probably best to look elsewhere.

Form: 583795

(6)

Jean Baptiste^p¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 79| CD

18/5

Back-to-back winner at around 10f last season (including this corresponding race) and ran a cracker from the front when third at York in October. Yet to hit top form this term, sixth of 9 in handicap at York (10.2f, good to firm, 5/1) 1 day ago.

Form: 33-7596

(2)

Oriole²⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 79| D

6/1

Off the mark second time up at Leicester last year and matched rather than advanced her form in 3 subsequent starts. Will need to hit the ground running after 8 months off to feature.

Form: 41287-

(1)

Khathak^t,v1⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

12/1

Temperamental sort who is yet to fire for his current stable. More severe headgear enlisted but others make more appeal.

Form: 320-067

Non-Runners

(11)

Tuxedo Junction¹²

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: J R Fanshawe J: Non Runner

(3)

Glory Nights⁶¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: D M Loughnane J: Callum Hutchinson

Forecasts

Box To Box (9/4), Jean Baptiste (18/5), Cockalorum (11/2), Oriole (6/1), Tuxedo Junction (13/2), Bizarre Law (9/1), Evocative Spark (10/1), Glory Nights (10/1), Khathak (12/1), Power of Darkness (14/1), Sucellus (22/1)

Several in with a shout but preference is for BOX TO BOX, who won twice at this course this time last year and is entitled to be sharper for his C&D return last month. The hat-trick-seeking Cockalorum could emerge as the main threat for Roger Fell & Sean Murray, with Bizarre Law and Evocative Spark also fancied to go well.