CALL in a TECHNICIAN for the MBNA Chester Vase.
Martyn Meade’s Derby hope was a bit unlucky to only finish second behind Bangkok after running into traffic problems at Sandown a couple of weeks ago. He looks well worth another shot at proving his Classic credentials.
1.50
There’s a Great bet in the Stellar Group Lily Agnes.
GREAT DAME showed good pace to get across from a wide stall to make up for a disappointing debut when scooting home at Ripon.
David O’Meara’s youngster has fared much better in the draw today and a glance at her pedigree suggests the prospect of softer ground is not much of a concern.
Album is drawn inside my fancy but he missed the break when runner-up at Bath. If he does that again it would put Great Dame in pole position.
2.25
IT’S time to Fanny about in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks.
John Gosden and Frankie Dettori teamed up to win this Classic trial with Enable a couple of years ago.
It’s hard to imagine FANNY LOGAN will achieve what her great stablemate has but she looks a good bet today after making a winning return at Wetherby 10 days ago, with this step up to 1m3f sure to suit.
Secret Thoughts was fifth behind subsequent 1000 Guineas runner-up over 7f at Leopardstown last month. As a daughter of Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita it’s likely she’ll improve for the extra half-mile.
3.00
TOP BREEZE is a sparkling bet in the Boodles Diamond Handicap.
A draw in the four stalls nearest the inside rail is a massive advantage over this 5f trip around this tight track. In-form Top Breeze has bagged the best box and I expect him to take full advantage.
He looked to have more than enough pace for the drop in distance when winning from the front at Newmarket last month.
Angel Alexander looks the danger from stall two. He’s been gelded since finishing runner-up in three juvenile races last season.
3.35
The MBNA Chester Vase looks a straightforward job for TECHNICIAN.
After finishing third in a good Nottingham maiden on his sole start of last season he had little trouble making a winning return at Leicester.
His second behind smart prospect Bangkok in Sandown’s Classic Trial was even better than it looked as he got stuck in traffic on the inside just when the race was warming up.
Aidan O’Brien has won this Derby trial an incredible eight times in the last 12 years. His Norway heads his three runners with Ryan Moore in the saddle.
CHESTER
1.50 Great Dame (nb)
2.25 Fanny Logan
3.00 Top Breeze
3.35 Technician
4.05 Artistic Streak
4.35 Cosmic Law
5.05 Gin In The Inn
FONTWELL
5.10 Sergio
5.45 Some Day Soon
6.15 Stormy Milan
6.45 Gambling Gamut (nap)
7.15 Magical Thomas
7.45 The Kings Baby
8.15 Hurling Magic
KELSO
2.10 Floki
2.45 Flowery
3.20 Benny’s Secret
3.55 Lowanbehold
4.25 Monsieur Co
4.55 Hardrock Davis
5.30 Claret Dabbler
NEWTON ABBOT
2.00 Sixty’s Belle
2.35 Truckers Lodge (nb)
3.10 Bullionaire
3.45 Imperial Presence
4.15 Crooks Peak
4.45 Thumb Stone Blues
5.20 Wolftrap
SOUTHWELL
6.05 Red Stripes
6.35 Aphaea
7.05 Ollivander
7.35 Spargrove
8.05 Antico Lady
8.35 Queen Of Kalahari
