Wednesday 8th May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
2.05: CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes: Over the next few days the previews will be focusing on Chester’s May Festival and I’ll be kicking things off on Wednesday with the 2.05 which is a conditions event over five furlongs. I like Sir Geoff Morgan here for Tom Doscambe and Alistair Rawlinson. He was a length second on his racecourse debut at Brighton last week, despite running green and being slow away. He should come on significantly for that run here and he can also make use of his low draw. Sir Geoff Morgan – 13/2 (Each-Way)
2.35: tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap: Next up it’s the 2.35 which is a Class 3 handicap that’s also ridden over a distance of five furlongs. I’m with Kings Merchant here for the team of Edward Bethell and Oisin Murphy. He comes into the race having bagged his first victory in comfortable style at Wolverhampton back in March, his mark here on the turf on the back of that success looks manageable and I think he’s got every chance from the plum draw in stall one. The booking of Murphy is another notable positive. Kings Merchant – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.05: Weatherbys E-Passport Cheshire Oaks: Moving onto the 3.05 now which is the Listed Cheshire Oaks that’s contested over a mile and three and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Beeley here who’s currently a 12/1 chance for John & Thady Gosden and the mount of Kieran Shoemark. She’s finished second on both of her starts to date with her most recent effort coming at Sandown last month where she finished behind a potentially smart stablemate. The yards have been needing the run this term so I expect her to improve from that run, if that’s the case she’s got every chance of outrunning her price here. Beeley – 12/1 (Each-Way)
3.40: Boodles Chester Vase Stakes: The feature race of the afternoon comes up at 3.40 which is the Group 3 Chester Vase over a mile and four and a half furlongs. I like the chances of Hidden Law here for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s currently trading at a best price of 11/4 and I think he looks like another exciting prospect for a team who have already tasted classic success this term. He bolted up by a distance of five and a half lengths on his most recent outing at Newbury last month, and if he’s to progress again from that run, he must be a massive player in this. Hidden Law – 11/4 (Win)
4.10: ESL Export Maiden Stakes: The penultimate race of the afternoon is the 4.10 which is maiden action over a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’m strong on Gallantly here who’s an Irish raider for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s been a beaten favourite on all three of his starts to date, however, the O’Brien yard is another stable whose horses have been needing a run this season. He’s a Frankel colt who’s clearly been expected to get his head in front by now and it would be disappointing should he not get that elusive victory in this on the back of his second-placed effort at Leopardstown last month. Gallantly – 5/4 (Win) (NAP)
4.45: CNG Switch Handicap: Signing us off for the opening day of the Chester May Festival will be the 4.45 which is a Class 3 handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve sided with On A Session here for David & Nicola Barron and Callum Rodriguez. He’s now on a mark which is two pounds lower than his last winning one and he posted a very encouraging effort at Musselburgh last time out last month when third of eleven and two lengths behind the winner. He’s run well here off a higher mark in the past and I think that today may well be his day. On A Session – 5/1 (Each-Way) (NB)
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