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CHESTER MAY MEETING
After three fantastic days racing at Newmarket, punters begin the search for more classic clues at Chester.
There aren't many racecourses that can boast a more historic setting than Chester's "Roodee". It was here that the Roman Legions arrived to build their fortress Deva. In the days of Roman occupation, the River Dee washed up to the walls where today, thousands stand to cheer on the Winner of the Chester Cup.
Today, the racing calendar starts off with the prestigious May Meeting. A three day affair that boasts the Chester Vase, Chester Cup and the Ormonde Stakes - this is Chester's premier event. which attracts the serious racegoer, .... and the most dedicated socialite !!!.
THE COURSE
Chester is a level, sharp, left-handed circular course of 1m 73yds, with a short run-in of 230yds. Chester is a specialist track which generally suits the sharper actioned horse. Low number have a distinct advantage, particularly in sprints.
CHESTER MAY MEETING - DAY THREE
Thursday 10th May
2:10 Hill Dickinson Rated Stakes Showcase Handicap Class B
"THE ROOK " _The opener should be fast and furious several of these liking to be handy, Despite their respective draws, Nineacres, Tuscan Dream, and Whistler to name three, must have an advantage as they are more likely to get the run of the race. Despite this come-from-behind horses Total Love, Brecongill Lad, and Dunedin Rascal make plenty of appeal. Total Love beat all bar the speedy Red Millenium last time out, and she gets the call
"1st * Choice" _Total Love
"(e/w) Alternative" _Dunedin Rascal
2:40 Philip Leverhulme Dee Stakes Class A (Listed Race)
"THE ROOK " _ Not many of the runners in the second would make an impact on the Derby betting, however as one or two of them are proven in the mud, a cursory glance at the ante post market for the Triumph hurdle arguably would be more fruitful !!!. Dr Greenfield, Grandera, Spettro, Barking Mad, Black Knight, and The Glen, fit this criteria. I will take a chance with Black Knight (e/w) who has done little wrong this term, and despite being outclassed by Storming Home at Epsom last time, ran well enough to suggest he can go close here today. Spettro who beat Snowstorm,
(who ran well earlier in the week) last season was a model of consistency, and would be my idea of the alternative
"1st * Choice" _ Black Knight (e/w)
"Alternative" _ Spettro
3:10 Breitling Watches And Waltons of Chester Ormonde Stakes Class A (Group 3)
Runner[s] from our 'Future Winners' feature__ St Expedit
"THE ROOK " _St Expedit; a staying on 4th on his seasonal reappearance to the classy Lucido, wont find anything of that calibre here. If he handles the conditions,
he should close here. He is preferred to Yavana's Pace
"1st * Choice" _St Expedit
"(e/w) Alternative" _
3:40 SIS Huxley Stakes Class A (for the Tradesman's Cup) (Listed Race)
Runner[s] from our 'Horses to Follow' feature__ Adilabad (USA)
"THE ROOK " _A poor turnout for the fourth, however a good opportunity for Adilabad (USA) to atone for an unlucky seasonal reappearance. He 'reappeared' at the recent Whitbread meeting at Sandown.... an extraordinary performance that day. Due to the heavy conditions, officials where unable to use starting stalls. Adilabad (USA) took a dislike to the elasticiated tapes used, and conceded the best part of 25 lengths at the starts. His jockey; Kieran Fallon wisely allowed him to run his own race, rather than trying to immediately make up the deficit. To his credit, he got within 11 lengths of Island House, who he meets again here. He will improve of that effort again here, and whilst I am concerned about this race being forcibly run with only four lining up.... I would rather be on his side than in opposition.
"1st * Choice" _Adilabad (USA)
"(e/w) Alternative" _
4:10 Boodle & Dunthorne Diamond EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (for the Sefton Plate) Class D
"THE ROOK " _Northern Tara, My Dancer, Decima, Tarragona, Game Time, Got To Be Cash, Rock Steady, Sneck Lifter, and Mitsuki, caught my eye in the fifth. Northern Tara, Decima, Tarragona, and Got To Be Cash, have got racecourse experience which is vital around this track. Therefore whilst I like Mitsuki, I will demote her to eachway alternative, and go with Decima. The form of her Windsor race was franked by 20/1 winner Dizzy in the Woods yesterday at Windsor, and she is clearly better than she showed at Brighton 7 days ago
"1st * Choice" _Decima
"(e/w) Alternative" _Mitsuki
Two competitive handicaps end the meeting;
4:40 Barry Case Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _Ballet Master, Style Dancer, Sumthinelse, Jamestown, Willoughby's Boy, Glenrock, Lady Boxer, Mister Rambo, Weetman's Weigh, Nomore Mr Niceguy, Peter's Imp, and Sir Ferbet, all can be given chances in a trappy eighteen runner affair. Style Dancer should love this as loves weaving his way through his field. He'll be all the better for his pipe opener five days ago, and could go close.
"1st * Choice" _Style Dancer
"(e/w) Alternative" _ Lady Boxer
5:10 Pochins Handicap Class D
"THE ROOK " _Carousing who was subject to a hefty punt here on Tuesday, literally was murdered in running, and was knocked out of the race .... strike a line through that effort, and have another go. Barry Hills' Solo Flight is the chief danger
"1st * Choice" _Carousing
"(e/w) Alternative" _Polar Star
CHESTER MAY MEETING - DAY TWO
SELECTIONS
Wednesday 9th May
2:10 Tess Graham Memorial Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _ Sixteen runners will career around the turns in the opener. Needwood Blade, Fairgame Man, Statue Gallery, Prince Pyramus, So Sober, Trustthunder, and Armagnac are the likeliest to attract punter's cash. Needwood Blaze; a 10lengths winner at Ripon, must go well if he handles the faster conditions, however I'm going to go with Statue Gallery who showed plenty of promise on his reappearance at Newmarket 20 days ago. Trustthunder, who was outclassed behind Lil's Jessy in one of the 1000 Guineas trials at Newmarket is an attractive eachway alternative
"1st * Choice" _Statue Gallery,
"(e/w) Alternative" _Trustthunder
2:40 Bank of Scotland Maiden Stakes Class D
"THE ROOK " _Pachara, Weet A Round, Artie, Bonnie Lad, Tucker Fence, and Aguila Loco, all have claims in an interesting maiden. Weet A Round, who ran creditably behind Steely Dan at Newmarket on his debut is a hopeful choice.
"1st * Choice" _Weet A Round,
"(e/w) Alternative" _
3.10 Tote Chester Cup (Showcase Handicap) (Class B) £100000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 2f 147yds, penalty £65000.00, 18 runners.
Rainbow High 6 9 13 B Hills R Hughes
Copeland 6 9 3 M Pipe K Fallon
Yorkshire (IRE) 7 8 13 P Cole J Fortune
Zilarator (USA) 5 8 7 W Haggas B Marcus
Cover Up (IRE) 4 8 3 Sir Michael Stoute F Lynch
Ansar (IRE) 5 8 2 D Weld W Supple
Coco Loco 4 7 12 Mrs Lydia Pearce G Baker(3)
Quedex 5 7 11 E James F Norton
High And Mighty 6 7 10 G Barnett J McAuley
Sudden Flight (IRE) 4 7 10 E Dunlop A Mackay
Distant Prospect (IRE) 4 7 10 I Balding Martin Dwyer
Prairie Falcon (IRE) 7 7 10 B Hills Dale Gibson
Mana d'Argent (IRE) 4 7 10 M Johnston K Dalgleish(3)
Hero's Son (FR) 5 7 10 J O'Neill
Solitary 4 7 10 J Given G Bardwell
Guard Duty 4 7 10 M Pipe J Mackay(5)
Who Cares Wins 5 7 10 J Jenkins M Henry
Or Royal (FR) 10 7 10 R Lee
Runner[s] from our Horses to Follow feature__ Coco Loco
"THE ROOK " _ As interesting renewal of this staying event, two times around the course, constantly on the turn...
RAINBOW HIGH, is the class horse in the race, will be all the better for his run behind Lucido at Newbury in April. He is one to consider, as is
COPELAND now known for his exploits over hurdles, but was previously a useful stayer on the flat, when trained in France.
YORKSHIRE could go well but he will need to improve on his latest effort at Nottingham .
ZILARATOR, COVER UP, QUEDEX, HIGH AND MIGHTY, DISTANT PROSPECT,
and PRAIRIE FALCON, all are entitled to consideration.
Three stand out here;
GUARD DUTY, one of our horses to follow over jumps, who has progressed from winning an average selling hurdler into a decnet handicapper over both codes. He stayed on gamely to win the Queen's Prize at Kempton , and must go close given the run of the race. Then there's last year's second
ANSAR; our selection, who only just failed to get up last year, after failing to get the run of the race in the last mile.
COCO LOCO, one of the horses to follow on the flat, will be all the better for his run behind Seliana at Newbury in April.... this progressive mare will not be far away. It wouldnt be the biggest ever surprise if these three fought out the finish. I will stay loyal to Coco Loco
"1st * Choice" _ Coco Loco
"(e/w) Alternative" _Guard Duty
"LONG*SHOT!!"_ Or Royal
3:40 Shadwell Stud Cheshire Oaks Class A (Listed Race)
"THE ROOK " _Gay Heroine, Elrehaan, Scarpe Rosse, and Zaheemah are the likeliest winners of the fourth. Gay Heroine, who was a promising second to Time Away at Sandown in September, may be able to concede her lack of experience, and withhold the challenge of Scarpe Rosse,
"1st * Choice" _Gay Heroine
"(e/w) Alternative" _
4:15 Evelyn Delves Broughton Maiden Fillies' Stakes Class D
"THE ROOK " _Kafezah, who stayed on to finish 5th to the promising Victoria Cross, is taken to land this Maiden Fillies' Stakes. Coyote, and Monnavanna, who have shown promise on their most recent starts are the main dangers
"1st * Choice" _Kafezah
"(e/w) Alternative" _Stage Presence,
4:45 smartestates.com Cheshire Regiment Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _Flying Lyric, Post Box, and Tomasino, are the horses to concentrate on in the last on Day Two. Post Box, who just failed to get up past English Harbour at Brighton in a 1m 2f maiden last month. will be popular, however he may have to give best to Tomasino, who won a 1m 4f h'cap on his seasonal appearance in great style. I wouldnt be putt off that Morshid, who came second that day, disappointed in a conditions event on Monday.
"1st * Choice" _Tomasino
"(e/w) Alternative" _Compton Commander
CHESTER MAY MEETING - DAY ONE SELECTIONS
2:10 Joseph Heler Cheshire Cheese Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes Class B
"THE ROOK " _ Some speedy juveniles line up for the opener; Magic Trick, Shuffling Kid, Steely Dan, Kelsey Rose, Lord Merlin, and Simianna, all have winning form going into the race. Most of these have won on ground with plenty of cut, so its quite possible that the surface, never mind the twists and turns of the course may get some of these into trouble. Simianna, has pace to burn , and if she gets out early she may be difficult to peg back. She is in my view at the very least worthy of eachway consideration
"1st * Choice" _Simianna, (e/w)
"Alternative" _Kelsey Rose
2:40 Stanley Leisure Stakes Showcase Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _ Trainer Barry Hills loves having winners at this meeting. His Amicable will have plenty of supporters in this 7f handicap.... One can understand why after he made smooth headway to get up near the line, to win a Doncaster 7f maiden in Mar, where he beat Zarin by a neck. He seems reasonably treated on 9-3, and should be close if he handles the undulations
"1st * Choice" _Amicable
"(e/w) Alternative" _Matlock,
3.10 Victor Chandler Chester Vase (Class A) (Group 3) £60000 added, 3yo only colts and geldings, 1m 4f 66yds, penalty £36000.00, 7 runners.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 3 8 10 P Cole J Fortune
Dawari (IRE) 3 8 10 Sir Michael Stoute K Fallon
Golden Wells (IRE) 3 8 10 M Johnston K Darley
Hyderabad 3 8 10 B Hills R Hughes
Mr Combustible (IRE) 3 8 10 B Hills M Hills
Prizeman (USA) 3 8 10 R Hannon J Murtagh
Snowstorm 3 8 10 M Bell M Fenton
Runner[s] from our Horses to Follow feature__ Dawari
"THE ROOK " _ The first Derby trial of the week, and seven hopefuls will line up in this event. Supporters of
ARCHDUKE FERDINAND will be hoping that the faster conditions, will help this horse make up the 6lengths he finished behind Golden Wells at Newbury in April.
GOLDEN WELLS stayed on strongly that day, despite swishing his tail, and should go well again here.
HYDERABAD, a promising second to Perfect Sunday at Newmarket over 1m 4f;
MR COMBUSTIBLE, second to Prize Winner at Doncaster on the opening day of the flat season, and
PRIZEMAN seventh behind Express Tour at Nad Al Sheba in March are possibles if they come on from recent efforts.
Despite these formlines, however I am going to stay loyal to DAWARI;
one of our horses to follow, who showed a fine turn of foot when winning at Windsor on his seasonal reappearance. That was a promising effort, especially as Sir Michael Stoute's yard still isn't really firing , despite Golan's easy win in the 2000 Guineas and I take him to score
"1st * Choice" _Dawari
"(e/w) Alternative" _Hyderabad
3:40 Walker Smith & Way Stakes (Handicap) Class C
"THE ROOK " _ Pedro Pete, Batswing, The Whistling Teal, Chief Cashier, Annadawi, and Pension Fund, head the market in a trappy handicap over ten furlongs. Batswing is a horse on the upgrade, both over hurdles, and on the flat. He will be straight being fit from hurdling, however I like The Whistling Teal, who had a telling turn of foot, if he gets the run of the race.
"1st * Choice" _The Whistling Teal
"(e/w) Alternative" _Annadawi
4:10 Caber Construction Maiden Stakes Class D
"THE ROOK " _ Big Moment, who showed promise behind Curtain Time at Newmarket in April, will have hopefully come on enough here t take the fifth race, at the expense of Alowmdah (USA)
"1st * Choice" _Big Moment,
"(e/w) Alternative" _
4:40 Signia Prince of Wales Handicap Class C
"THE ROOK " _Chispa, Laurel Dawn, Ragamuffin, Ynysmon, Shoeshine Boy, Proud Boast, Vendome, and Antonia's Dilemma, all have claims in a competitive sprint, which ends day one of the meeting. Chispa who is currently in good heart, ran well behind Gdansk at Thirsk last time out. If she can gets the run of the race, she will go close here
"1st * Choice" _ Chispa
"(e/w) Alternative" _Antonia's Dilemma,
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