Thursday 11th 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 1:30 kicks us off on Day Two and this is handicap action that’s ridden over five furlongs. I’ve taken a chance on Nymphadora here for Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding. When last seen at Ripon last month she was underwhelming in a listed event, however, it’s likely she needed the run that day and will be more tuned up here in lesser company. She’s also got course form and could go well from a decent draw here.
Up next is the 2:05 which is more handicap action this time ridden over a distance of seven furlongs. I’ve sided with Urban Sprawl here who represents the team of Franny Norton and Charlie Johnston. He had a productive campaign last term winning three times and made a very encouraging return to the track last month at Mussleburgh when finishing second and remains on the same mark here. If progressing from that run last time he’s got every chance.
Moving onto the 2:40 which is the Listed Dee Stakes over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I think that this can go to the Irish raider in Alder for Gavin Ryan and Donnacha O’Brien. He’s a progressive colt by Australia and made a winning return to the track at Cork last month when getting the better of a potentially promising Ballydoyle colt. It’s likely that there is a lot more to come from him and he’s got to have a big chance here.
It’s the 3:15 up next which is the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes that’s ridden over a mile and five and a half furlongs. This looks to be all about Hamish for me William Haggas and Tom Marquand who currently heads the betting. He’s a course and distance winner having won this race last year and a horse who’s a very consistent sort at a high level. He also goes well fresh and sets a very solid standard.
At 3:45 we’re back within handicap company which this time is contested over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’ve sided with Thunder Max here for the team of Richard Hannon and Kevin Stott. The yard were among the winners on the opening day of the meeting and I think they have another live chance here, this four-year-old gelding ran a promising race at Haydock last time on seasonal reappearance with fourth of thirteen and could build on that effort here off the same mark.
The 4:20 is the penultimate race of the day and this is a maiden event that’s contested over five furlongs. This is a bit of a guessing game as most of them are racecourse debutants, it could be worth siding with Big Time Rascal though for George Boughey and William Buick. He’s from Blue Point who was one of the best sprinters in the business and from a handy draw he could well prove tough to peg back if tuned up and ready to go.
It’s the 4:55 where we sign off again and this is a handicap that’s ridden over a mile and four and a half furlongs. I think that this could be another race where George Boughey could hold the answers this time with Forceful Speed who’s to be ridden by Kevin Stott. He’s a New Bay gelding who was progressive last term winning twice, and can build on his reappearance run at Doncaster here off a two-pound lower mark.
image credit: horseracingphoto.co.uk
Everything Racing 