Wednesday 10th May 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my preview for the 2023 Chester May Festival that gets underway on Wednesday on the Roodee and concludes on Friday with Chester Cup Day. I’ll be previewing all the action giving my thoughts and opinions so as ever, if you are having a bet make sure to do it responsibly.
The opener comes at 1:30 and it’s the Lily Agnes Stakes a conditions event that’s ridden over five furlongs. I think that this year’s renewal of the race can go to Ziggy’s Phoenix for Ryan Moore and Richard Hannon who currently heads the betting. She’s a Kodiac filly who won in smart style last time at Ripon and she has the plum draw here under Moore, making her an obvious big player.
It’s the 2:05 next which is handicap action also over a distance of five furlongs. I’ve sided with Seantrabh here for the team of Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley who takes off five pounds. He signed off his season last term with an impressive three-length success at Catterick when making all, and made his reappearance with a solid effort at Thirsk last month when fourth of thirteen. If getting to the front from his decent run he could be dangerous.
The 2:40 is the third race of the day and this is the Listed Cheshire Oaks that’s ridden over a mile and three and a half furlongs. It’s very difficult to see past Savethelastdance here for the dominant duo of Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Her yard have a fantastic record in this race and she’s got a massive chance of enhancing said record if progressing from her impressive display at Leopardstown last time, where she got the better of her potentially smart stablemate Boogie Woogie.
It’s the Chester Vase at 3:15 which is a Group 3 event that’s contested over a mile and four and a half furlongs. This looks to be all about Arrest for the Gosden’s and Frankie Dettori who currently heads the bettings. Sporting the famous silks of Juddmonte he comes here with a very solid level of form having being beaten by just a short-head in a French Group 1 on his most recent outing last October. It’s likely that there’s a lot more to come from him and he’s the one they all have to beat here.
The 3:45 is more handicap action and this time it’s to be ridden over a distance of six furlongs. This is a competitive affair but it could be worth siding with California Gem for George Boughey and Kevin Stott. She’s a Cable Bay filly who progressed nicely last term, winning three times which included a handicap success. She’s got a good draw here and won’t have an issue with the conditions, I think she’s every chance of going well.
It’s maiden company at 4:20 over a mile and two and a half furlongs and I think that this particular affair can go to Shadow Dance who represents Roger Varian and David Egan. He has the added advantage of having a decent run here, and it was a very promising effort when finishing second on his racecourse debut at Windsor last month. If progressing from that here he’s got every chance from a decent draw.
The 4:55 is the final race of the day which is a handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve taken a chance on Broken Spear here for the combination of Tony Coyle and Tom Eaves. He won this race back in 2021 off a higher mark and returned to form last time out when finishing a neck second at Beverly. It’s clear he handles this track well and he also has the plum draw here, a big run would be no surprise.
image credit: horseracingphoto.co.uk
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