Hi all,
Once again concentrating on the handicaps. No wins on Thursday but Ayutthaya at 20/1 landed the each-way side of the bet in the lucky last.
Chester May Festival – Day 3
1:50 – Baraweez came from behind to win this race last year off 2lb lower but then went onto win another C&D handicap (both wins on good) off 2lb higher. Now show at Thirsk on Saturday but the 9-year-old is 3 wins from 8 runs 4 placed when running within 7-days of his last run. Good draw in stall three and another big run could be on the cards. Ptarmigan Ridge won here over half a furlong shorter last September for previous trainer James Fanshawe off 11lb lower. Made a pleasing return to action for his new trainer when runner-up at Haydock 13 days ago. Best form has come with plenty of ease in the ground and he’s got a good draw in stall 2.
Ptarmigan Ridge – 3/1 – Gen
3:00 – Restorer, makes his seasonal reappearance here like he did when winning last years race off 6lb lower. Ryan Moore is an eye-catching jockey booking for trainer Ian Williams 4 wins from 11 rides 36% +8.88 6 placed 55% since 2015. The 7-year-old is a strong contender from stall 3. Trainer’s horses running respectably l but struggling for winners at present.
Epaulement, trained by Tom Dascombe, needs respecting from stall five. The 4-year-old made a winning return to action when making all to win at Ripon 22-days ago. He’s up just 3lb so remains on a competitive mark. Of more of a concern could be the softer ground best form so far has come on a sound surface although he’s only raced on good to soft on one occasion.
Verdict: There should be more to come from Epaulement but I’m just favouring last year’s winner Restorer to do the double in the hands of Ryan Moore.
Restorer – 6/1 @Bet365 & William Hill
3:35 – The big race of the three-day Chester May Festival, the Chester Cup over 2m 2 ½ f. A field of 17 are declared to go to post for this year’s renewal, including last years winner Magic Circle.
Magic Circle, is 15lb higher than for last years easy win, but Cieren Fallon takes off 7lb. Big ask off top-weight but not totally ruled out.
Austrian School battled on to win here 12-months ago and proved his well being when an easy winner of a valuable handicap at Musselburgh over 1m 6f 20-days ago He’s 3lb well in under his penalty and if he handles really, soft ground the one they probably all have to beat.
Cleonte, was third in the Cesarewitch on final run of last season and made an encouraging seasonal reappearance when putting in a career best when third behind Dee Ex Bee in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes 9 days ago. Best form has come on a sound surface, but the 6-year-old has run well on heavy in the past. Big chance if in same form here, from stall 1.
Low Sun, one of two Willie Mullins trained runners was an early ante-post gamble for the race. Ryan Moore booked for last year’s Cesarewitch winner. There was plenty like about the 6-year-olds chance in the race. Sadly, for his ante post backers he’s got stall 17 which will probably prove in-surmountable. It’s will take one of Ryan Moore’s best ever rides to the gelding home.
Who Dares Wins, was third in this race 12 months ago off the same mark. Beaten 7 ½ lengths last year by Magic Circle. He’s a got a decent pull in the weights this time around. Drawn in stall 15 last year but drawn slightly better today in stall 12. Just the one run since that excellent effort when 3rd at Newbury 28-days ago. The softer ground is also in the 7-year-old favour. Solid each way chance again.
Fun Mac, was runner up in this race last year on his seasonal reappearance off 8lb higher and was even closer in 2017 when finishing third off 9lb higher, again on his return to action. Temptingly handicapped on previous form in the race and this softer ground will also be more to the 8-year-old liking. Stall four is a good draw again.
Time to Study, like stablemate Magic Circle trained by Ian Williams, was 5th in this race 12-months ago for previous trainer Mark Johnston and is 8lb lower now. No chance with the easy winner last year but wasn’t far behind Fun Mac & Who Dares Wins. Just the one start for his new trainer when tailed off on the all-weather 97 days ago, over an inadequate 1m 2f. No problem with rain softened ground and is clearly well handicapped if returning to his best. Stall 13 does temper enthusiasm and he maybe one for races later in the season.
Verdict: Cleonte can go well for Andrew Balding. Who Dares Wins comes into the race after a much lighter campaign than 12 months ago. Fun Mac handicapped to win and could well place for third year running.
Cleonte – 6/1 @ Coral
Who Dares Wins – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Coral – each way (both paying 4 places ¼ odds)
4:40 – An apprentice race and a race I really should leave alone. However, there is an interesting runner in the Ian Williams trained Heart Of Soul, the 4-year-old is lightly raced for his age, having only had the six career starts. He has yet to break his maiden tag but was only beaten a neck in a C&D handicap last summer off 2lb lower. Yet race on soft or good to soft on turf so the going is a slight unknown. He also gets the first-time visor which could eke that a bit more improvement in the gelding. Trainer has an excellent record with his flat turf runners in the first-time visor – 12 winners from 46 runners 26% +69.53 A/E 1.61 20 placed 43%. It will be interesting to see what the market thinks of his chance today.
Heart Of Soul – 4/1 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
5:15 – A field of 15 are set to go to post for the Chester Plate which is a consolation race for the Chester Cup.
The three I like most are Coeur De Lion, Drakensberg & Master Archer.
Drakensberg, comes over from Ireland for the race. The 5-year-old has been in good from on the all- weather at Dundalk of late, winning both his last two starts in very easy fashion. Up 12lb in a better race and up from 1m 4f, so stamina to prove. Not sure the hike in the weights will catch him out and if handles the track and the step up to this marathon trip he won’t be far away from a good draw in stall 3. The bookies are taking no chances with his price.
Coeur De Lion, was runner-up in this race last year off the same mark as today. A bit of ease in the ground suits the 6-year-old and trainer Alan King takes 5lb off the horses back with the booking of a useful apprentice. Made a solid return to action when runner-up at Newbury and has no doubt been aimed at this race again. Stall nine could be better and he doesn’t find winning easy, but I think he win this with clear passage.
Master Archer, has only won two of his 19 career starts but both of them have come here over 2m. He’s just 4lb higher than for the last of those wins and Cieren Fallon takes off a valuable 5lb. handicapped to go well on a track he really excels at but really soft ground would be an unknown for the 5-year-old.
Verdict: You can never rule out Master Archer at his favourite track but Coeur De Lion can go one better than 12-months ago.
Coeur De Lion – 7/2 @ William Hill & Ladbrokes
Always check with an odds comparison service like Oddschecker to get the best prices available
All selections win only unless indicated as each way.
Cheers
John