Friday 9th May 2025
1.30 Chester: CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap: We get things underway at 1.30 again at Chester for day three of the May Festival, and this is a Class 2 handicap over seven and a half furlongs. I like Two Tempting here, who represents Jonathan Portman and is ridden by Rob Hornby. He progressed from a slightly underwhelming effort in the Lincoln in March to finish fourth of fourteen in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April, which was his most recent outing. He’s been dropped a further pound for that effort, meaning he’ll contest this off just a pound higher than when winning over course and distance in August. He’s also has the plum draw in stall one. Two Tempting – 9/2 (Each-Way)
2.05 Chester: Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes: Next up is the 2.05 and this is a Class 2 maiden that’s contested over a mile and four and a half furlongs. This is likely a warm maiden, however, I’ve taken a chance on The Pouncing Lion for Michael Bell and Ryan Moore. He looked like a horse who should improve over the winter following his third-placed effort on heavy ground at Goodwood in October, on heavy going. These conditions should prove easier for him, and the booking of Ryan Moore is an obvious plus in his favour. The Pouncing Lion – 5/2 (Win)
2.35 Chester: Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes: We’re up in grade at 2.35 with the Group 2 Huxley Stakes, that’s ridden over a distance of a mile and two and a half furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of The Foxes here for the team of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. He won the Dante at York back in 2023 and has since gone on to post several fine efforts within top contests, most recently, he finished a length second to the very highly-rated globe trotter Rebel’s Romance in the H. H. The Amir Trophy. That’s fine form, and a repeat of that level could well be enough here, and he’s the one that they all have to beat for me. The Foxes – 11/8 (Win) (NAP)
3.05 Chester: Ladbrokes Chester Cup: The feature race of the day and the meeting comes up at 3.05 and this is the Chester Cup, a Heritage Handicap that’s contested over two miles and two and a half furlongs. This is always hugely competitive with this year’s renewal different, however, I’ve taken a chance on one at a big price in Emiyn for Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley, who takes off three pounds. He’s a course and distance winner off a five-pound lower mark, and he should improve for a decent seasonal reappearance at Musselburgh last month, when finishing sixth of fourteen in the Queen’s Cup. He did his best work late that day, having been outpaced, and he’ll have no issue with the distance on this occasion. Emiyn – 16/1 (Each-Way)
3.40 Chester: Precision Facades Handicap: Next up it’s the 3.40 and this is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and two and a half furlongs. This is another competitive affair of which I’ve come down on Take Heart for Jonny Murtagh and Billy Lee. He progressed from his seasonal reappearance to finish sixth of sixteen in a competitive Cork handicap last month, and further improvement following that run is likely to be on the cards. He won a Class 2 handicap at Goodwood in July over ten furlongs off a three-pound lower mark, and I think he can have a big say here. Take Heart – 11/2 (Each-Way)
4.10 Chester: Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap: The penultimate race of the meeting is the 4.10, and we have a Class 4 apprentice handicap over a mile and four and a half furlongs. I’m fairly strong on the chances of Sportingsilvermine here for James Owen and talented claimer Mason Paetel, who takes off seven pounds. He’s won both of his starts since joining this yard, the first of which came at Southwell in March before following up when taking a Class 4 handicap at Musselburgh last month. He’ll effectively contest this off a two-pound lower mark than his Musselburgh success, with the rider’s claim coming into play, and I think he’s a major player. Sportingsilvermine – 5/2 (Win) (NB)
4.45 Chester: Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Chester Plate Handicap: The curtain closer is the 4.45, and this is Class 2 handicap action over two miles and two and a half furlongs in the form of the Chester Plate. I like Surrey Belle here for Adrian Keatley and Tom Marquand, who currently heads the betting at a best price of 3/1. She won over hurdles during the winter and returned to the level at Ripon last month when finishing a head behind Artisan Dancer, whom she’ll reoppose here. I think she can turn that form around here, and is only three pounds higher than her last winning mark on the flat. She’ll also have no issue with the distance. Surrey Belle – 3/1 (Win)
