THE ULTIMATE PROVENCE HANDICAP STAKES

(CLASS 4)

for three yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £12000

Owners Prize Money 1st £4819, 2nd £2410, 3rd £1205, 4th £602, 5th £301, 6th £150, 7th £76, 8th £37 (Penalty Value £6115.20)

Race Description

This is a one mile, four and a half furlongs handicap race for three-year-olds and upwards which have been rated from 61 to 80 In a handicap the weight that each of the runners carries is determined by their official handicap rating which is based on their level of form shown so far. The aim is to ensure competitive racing by asking the higher rated horses to carry more weight than a lower rated rival. As a guide, horses rated 40 tend to be at the lower end of the scale whilst the very best performers would be rated as high as 130.

colours no horse

Br Breeding O Owner B Breeder J Jockey T Trainer S Sponsor

1 ZEALANDIA (FR) (35) 30/1-004 D

Br B g Sea The Moon (GER) - Belle Ambre Charlie Todd (3) J

O Ian Williams Racing Club Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

B S.A.S Elevage Du Haras de Bourgeauville

TIMEFORM VIEW Creditable 1 3/4 lengths fourth of 10 to The Nu Form Way in C&D handicap (good, 14/1) 35 days ago. On that evidence, he appears to be returning to the boil and he’s one to consider

2 THE NU FORM WAY (FR) (20) 0-51310 CD 5 10-0 (4)

Br B g Le Havre (IRE) - Jamboree (IRE) Sam James J

O Eddie and Fiona Carswell Stella Barclay, Garstang T

B S.A. Franklin Finance, S. Vidal et al Lancashire Racing Stables Limited S

TIMEFORMVIEWWon at Beverley in April and career best when adding to tally over C&D (Zealandia behind in fourth) in May Badly hampered in the early stages back at Beverley since. Treated as if still in form.

3 CROACHILL (IRE) (21) 236-632

TFRHHHII BHA78

4 10-0 (5)

Br B f Churchill (IRE) - Cronsa (GER) Tadhg O’Shea J

O Mr Mohamed Saeed Buhlaibeh Roger Varian, Newmarket T

B Razza Del Velino SRL Varian Stable Limited S

TIMEFORM VIEW Creditable second of 6 in handicap at Lingfield (1 1/4m, good to firm, 3/1) 21 days ago, having run of race. Back up in trip.

4 NATCHEZ TRACE (GB) (18) 136-501 D

Br B g Invincible Spirit (IRE) - Passage of Time

TFRHHHII BHA78

6 9-13 (3)

Zak Wheatley (5) J

O Second Chancers Declan Carroll, Malton T

B Juddmonte Farms Ltd Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Career best when winning 12-runner handicap (9/2) at Southwell (1 1/2m) 18 days ago. Only nudged up 2lb and claims if in similar form.

5 RESTORER (GB) (14) 230-032 C D

TFRHHHII BHA77

11 9-7 (2)

Br Gr g Mastercraftsman (IRE) - Moon Empress (FR) Ben Sanderson (3) J

O Mr Ian Williams Ian Williams, Alvechurch T

B Foursome Thoroughbreds

TIMEFORMVIEWChester regular but losing run dates back to 2020 Creditable second of 8 over C&D 14 days ago but might be vulnerable to some of the younger legs in this line-up.

6 SCINTILLANTE (GB) (16) 03-52

TFRHHHII BHA71

3 9-0 (7)

Br Gr c Roaring Lion (USA) - Freesia (IRE) Hayley Turner J

O Mr Philip Fox & Partner

Andrew Balding, Kingsclere T

B Grundy Bloodstock SRL Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Scopey sort who showed improved form when second of 5 in handicap at Newbury (1 1/2m, firm) 16 days ago, conceding first run. This lightly-raced 3-y-o should have more to come.

7 PAISANO (IRE) (37) 360-5

Br B g Dubawi (IRE) - Posset

O John Gunther & Tanya Gunther

TFRHHHHH BHA76

3 8-12 (8)

Dougie Costello J

Ralph Beckett, Kimpton Down T

B Sahara Group Holdings Tote S

TIMEFORM VIEW Lightly-raced maiden. Blinkered first time, weakened into fifth of 8 in maiden at Catterick (1 1/2m, good to firm) on reappearance 37 days ago. Visor tried now Makes handicap debut. Needs to get his career back on track. TFRHHIII BHA74

Br B c Iffraaj - Zara (BRZ) Franny Norton J

O Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Charlie Johnston, Middleham T

B Godolphin Johnston Racing Ltd S

TIMEFORMVIEWMuch improved on return from wind surgery when scoring at Wolverhampton (9.5f) in April. Unable to translate that improvement to turf since, though. First-time cheekpieces replace the blinkers worn last time. TFRHHHII BHA74

DECLARED RUNNERS 8 2022: COGITAL 7 10 2 Jordan Williams 17-2 (Bernard Llewellyn) 8 ran Visor worn first time by No. 7. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn first time by No. 8. Blinkers worn by No. 3. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1, 5.

Stewards Note:

THE NU FORM WAY: Following its run on 11/6/2023 it was reported that the horse was hampered.

Probable S.P.’s: 5-2 Scintillante (GB), 6-1 Croachill (IRE), 13-2 Restorer (GB), 8-1 Zealandia (FR), Natchez Trace (GB), 9-1 Paisano (IRE), 12-1 The Nu Form Way (FR), 14-1 Blue Universe (IRE)

SCINTILLANTE shaped promisingly at Newbury last time and might be up to providing Andrew Balding with yet another Chester winner Zealandia looked on the way back here last time and may give the selection most to do ahead of recent Southwell scorer Natchez Trace. TIMEFORM

PLAY SMARTER

Don’t forget to bet on the 2:40 at NEWCASTLE, 2:45 at WINDSOR and 3:00 at NEWMARKET

Hblb

The Horserace Betting Levy Board prize fund schemes provide for the estimated inclusion of £586,431 in ratecard and incremental prize money at this racecourse from May to August 2023

No Smoking Areas

We request that you kindly observe Chester Racecourse’s smoking policy. Smoking is permitted in all outside areas, including balconies. Smoking is now prohibited in any enclosed area, bar or restaurant, seats within the County Stand, the terraced steps within the Tattersalls Enclosure and the Subway Ashtrays have been provided all over the course and we ask that you make use of them to keep Chester Racecourse a clean and tidy area.

Dress Code

A summary of the dress code guidelines for each area of the racecourse can be found below

Hospitality Areas, Chester Members, Winning Post and County Long Room

Gentlemen are required to wear a well-tailored suit or a blazer/sports jacket with smart trousers, together with a shirt, collar and tie. Ladies are required to wear smart dress. No denim jeans of any colour, no trainers, no sportswear and no fancy dress will be permitted.

Tattersalls and County Concourse

Smart casual dress is suggested. For gentlemen a collar is required, either polo shirt or collared shirt. Smart (not ripped) jeans, trouser or chinos are permitted. We encourage smart dress code in all enclosures, so feel free to dress up and enjoy the occasion. Please note that shorts, sportswear, t-shirts and fancy dress are not permitted in this enclosure.

Dee Stand

There is no strict dress code in this enclosure. It is however advisable to dress for the elements. Should you wish to upgrade your ticket to a Tattersalls ticket on the day, shorts, sportswear, t-shirts and fancy dress will not be permitted.

Open Course

There is no dress code in this enclosure. It is however advisable to dress for the elements. Should you wish to upgrade your ticket to a Tattersalls ticket on the day, shorts, sportswear, t-shirts and fancy dress will not be permitted.

The Grey Goose

HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3)

for three yrs old and upwards

Total prize fund £20000