The racing tomorrow looks pretty uninspiring stuff so I shall fast forward to Wednesday and take a look at day 1 of the Chester May meeting.
There will be a strong Irish challenge in the Cheshire Oaks with Aiden O’Brien and John Oxx both represented but I am going to stick with the home team and Michael Jarvis and Sir Michael Stoute. They run Hidden Brief and Phillipina respectively, a couple of fillies that ran with promise on their initial outings this season and should both benefit from this step up in trip. My preference is for Hidden Brief whose sister was placed in both the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks. She may not want really quick ground so some rain would increase her chance.
Barry Hills won the Chester Cup with a 4 year old back in 1999 and I am hoping he can repeat the performance again 10 years on with Daraahem who impressed with his win at Haydock last season. He looks the sort to improve and the trip should not pose a problem. He is also well drawn and comes from an in form stable. There is of course always a catch and in this case it could be the going as Daraahem gives the impression that some ease in the ground might be needed. Watch the weather forecast! The other one I like in this race is Halla San, something of an old favourite of this web site and from the stable that provided the winner in 2007.
The 4.00 looks a trappy handicap and I have a short list of 4. Sir Mark Prescott fields two runners in this. Braveheart Move won with any amount in hand when a shock 66/1 winner at Wolverhampton last September and there may well be much more to come from him. The other Sir Mark runner is Fortuni who carries a 6 lbs penalty for hi win at Lingfield on Mat 1st. Don’t be put off by the jockey here as Rosie Jessop who is quite capable of riding a winner.
King’s Destiny is another that has recorded a win this season, scoring over 10 furlongs at Leicester. The 4th that day has won since. There is plenty of stamina on the dam’s side so there is a fair chance that he will stay the extra distance and he is an interesting contender. Jedi will be all the better for his run 12 days ago and also for the step up in distance. He won at Nottingham last season on heavy ground so it may be that some cut in the ground will help his cause.
My selection in the 4.35 is Harbinger who created an excellent impression when runner up in the Wood Ditton.
My thanks to Paul Myers-Bennett for the photograph of Chester racecourse.
ahorse 