Hi all,
Chester’s May Festival gets underway with Derby/Oaks Trials. The Group 3 Chester Vase Stakes (3.10) is the feature race of a seven-race card which also includes The Listed Cheshire Oaks (2.40). Having mentioned field sizes earlier. It’s interesting to see that only 61 runners have been declared for today’s seven races.
Chester’s May Festival with its mix of competitive handicaps and Group races make it one of the key spring flat racing festivals. However, the field sizes aren’t great for day one. There are just four declared for the Chester Vase which is disappointing but we could see a serious Derby contender emerge in hot favourite New London from the Charlie Appleby.
There’s a better sized field for the Cheshire Oaks with ten 3-year-old fillies going to post for this Epsom Oaks trial. The promising Above the Curve, trained by Joseph O’Brien bids to follow up here recent Leopardstown success. An impressive success here would see her become one of the leading fancies for the Epsom fillies’ classic.
I have concentrated on today’s handicaps at Chester although I do have an each-way selection in the Cheshire Oaks.
Chester May Festival – Day 1
2:05 – tote.co.uk Free Chester Placepot Every Day Handicap (Class 2) – 5f
Live In The Dream bounced back to winning form when making all at Sandown 12-days ago. The return to better ground suited him. The handicapper has raised the 3-year-old 8lb for his latest success but he’s going the right way and stall 2 looks ideal for this front runner. He could be hard to peg back if the ground stays good.
Nymphadora won a fillies’ Listed race at York last May. No more wins last season but she was highly tried in Group company, including a 3 ½ length fifth in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. Nice draw in stall one for handicap debut.
Shamlaan has won both starts this year at Wolverhampton and back on turf at Goodwood (5f)just 4-days ago. Has a 6lb penalty to carry for that success but he showed a good attitude to squeeze through a narrow gap inside the final furlong to prevail last time.
2:40 – Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Cheshire Oaks (For The Robert Sangster Memorial Cup) (Listed Race) 1m 3 ½ f
The Joseph O’Brien trained filly Above The Curve improved for the step up to 1m 2f when winning a Leopardstown maiden on her seasonal return. Leading 1f out she produced a good turn of foot to see off her 11 rivals. She’s down well from two to three and looks a smart prospect. Interesting to see connections opting to come here for an Oaks Trial. However, at least they will get a chance to see how well this big filly handles the track with Epsom in mind. A likely warm favourite and the one to beat.
Aidan O’Brien who has won this race three times since 2015 and he runs Thoughts Of June. However, that filly finished 2 ¾ length behind Above The Curve at Leopardstown and its hard to see her reversing places.
At a bigger price I like Moon De Vega could get into the places. The daughter of Lope De Vega won on soft ground at Doncaster on her final juvenile start so easier ground won’t inconvenience her. She’s bred to appreciate this sort of trip and holds an Oaks entry.
3:40 – Deepbridge Handicap (Class 3) – 6f
Pocket The Profit an impressive winner at Pontefract (heavy) on his seasonal reappearance. He found the ground a bit on the lively side when a 1 ½ length 4th of 12 at Newmarket last month. In form and progressive but really needs the rain to arrive to ease the ground.
Ever Given had a good juvenile season winning four times, including a 7f nursery at Chester and valuable sales race at York. His strong-travelling style is well suited to the track and although he needs to improve to win off his present mark, has a good draw in stall 2 to exploit.
Selby’s Pride had Buckshaw Village ¾ lengths behind when the pair were third & fifth at Ripon 11-days ago. The latter was doing his best work at the finish last time and should be suited by today’s extra furlong. Interesting that trainer Richard Fahey has booked Franny Norton for the light weight.
4:45 – Stephen Wade Handicap (Class 4) – 7f
The biggest field of the day and the pace is forecast to be very strong for this competitive handicap. Broken Spear won this race last year, off 1lb higher. Outran big odds when a 2 ¾ length 5th of 22 in the Lincoln. Not so good on either start since but a return to C&D brings him into the mix, especially if the rain arrives.
Smeaton’s Light showed he’s on a competitive mark when a keeping on neck 2nd of 9 at Leicester 6f) on his seasonal return. Nudged up 2lb for last time out effort but won’t be far away if staying today’s extra furlough.
Paws For Thought is 2-4 here, including at this meeting on last season’s reappearance. That win came off 3lb higher so the 4-year-old must be respected on his first start for Donald McCain. Very much on the shortlist from stall 6.
Ffion put in plenty of good efforts last season without winning, including finishing a neck 2nd of 9 over C&D on her penultimate start. William Buick is an eyecatching jockey booking, first ride for the yard, but stall 11 wouldn’t be ideal.
Big Narstie shaped with plenty of promise when a 1 ¾ length 6th of 18 at Doncaster two starts back. Beaten favourite (8/11) when a 2-length 3rd of 4 at Wetherby 10-days ago. Wasn’t seen to best effect in a slowly run race that day. Gets the first time cheekpieces today and the likely strong pace will be more in his favour.
Betting Advice:
Chester
2:05 – 1pt win – Shamlaan – 11/2 @ Bet365
2:40 – 0.5pts each way – Moon De Vega – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 3 places 1/5 odds).
3:40 – 1pt win – Buckshaw Village – 6/1 @ Coral & Paddy Power
4:45 – 1pt win – Paws For Thought – 11/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and 1pt win – Broken Spear – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John