Friday 9th May
By SP2A Analysis
Chester 3.05 - Chester Cup - Class 2 - 2 miles 2 and 1/2 furlongs - 16 run - Good
With the possible exception of the Glorious Goodwood Festival, this is probably the biggest race all season where the "hard luck" stories will be both largely genuine and also numerous. The fact is that despite the trip being over 2 circuits plus of this unique track, you really can't afford to lose rhythm nor momentum at any stage.
There are a few fancy types in here unproven at the trip, a few who are in excellent form on the AW but who have little credible Turf form as yet and a nice mix of solid and generally consistent handicappers.
I do believe though that the "occasion" and nature of the race very much suits specialists and we have last years 1-2 back, both off good handicap marks as quite simply they had their best runs of the season in this race last year, and had run well in it before, and both look primed and ready for another tilt. The Draw has been potentially kind to both, IF they break decently , but it's also the case that some horses CAN make up ground here, whilst others can't and many just won't appreciate the "bumping and boring" that will inevitably occur.
For that reason my top 2 rated are the redoubtable ZOFFEE who ticks every box and whose Yard are in very decent form and the equally popular EMIYN who can miss the start on occasions but who proved in this race last season that there are few better around here. Both are attractively priced.
With 16 runners we will also take the advice and confidence from Michael that the Joseph O'Brien trained DAWN RISING who has a very solid profile at marathon trips is also quietly fancied and has been aimed at the race by connections. (North + MG)
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Chester 4.10 - Apprentice Handicap - Class 4 - 1 miles 4 and 1/2 furlongs - 13 run - Good
I am quietly confident on a pair here at very decent and speculative each way Odds.
THE DANCING POET makes its Course debut but is a standing dish at Catterick, a tight sharp left handed track although with more undulations than Chester. The horse runs off a nice mark with suitable underfoot conditions and Stall 9 should not be an excuse based on the results over the past 2 days.
If there is a horse with some scope and ceiling yet to be reached in terms of the handicap mark in this race it is TOKYO BAY, a Distance winner , drawn in Stall 5 and on its second run after a wind operation. Lightly raced and plenty of scope and worth an investment today and also one I have added to the TRACKER . (RJ0
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Downpatrick 5.25 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 6 furlongs - 12 run - Good
OUR ZEBO (A WIN SAVER SUGGESTED) will be a warm order here together with one of Gavin Cromwell horses but MOTHER SHIP gets a lovely pull at the weights with Our Zebo and a handy added 7lbs Claim for the Hanlons and is decently priced too.
BUTCHER'S BILL looks the most likely, in a field lacking overall depth, to trouble the top 3 in the market and the drop back from 3 miles should be ideal for this likeable horse.
(MG)