Thursday 8th May
By SP2A Analysis
Chester 4.10 - Handicap - Class 3 - 1 mile 2 and 1/2 furlongs - 14 run - Good
A competitive looking race especially at the top end of the market although there do seem to be a few also-rans whose AW form is currently superior to anything they have achieved on turf.
Wadacre Gomez has mixed form and the main positive would seem to be the booking of Ryan Moore, Paddy The Squire has some good Course runs last season, was gelded over the winter but has been off for 199 days and the suggestion is he may just need this run. Liberty Coach is another who deserves close examination on past form but who also makes a seasonal debut off a 6 month break and again on past evidence will benefit from the first run of this season.
I'm left with a shortlist of three and in preference order they are the likely favourite FOURONEOHFEVER who is a Course and Distance winner, will come on markedly for a seasonal debut at Doncaster around 6 weeks ago and who does look very strong "win value" at around 3/1. AUSTRIAN THEORY for Tim Easterby is in decent form and a recent run has been franked since, very solid overall and whilst Stall 12 is not ideal, neither on yesterday's evidence should it be a deal breaker. He just got the nod over one drawn even wider, BOX TO BOX who comes out of Stall 13, he has an excellent Chester record so fully adapted to the tight turns and with Oisin Murphy up in the saddle sure to be given a thoughtful tactical ride, he also has the advantage of being race fit. With very few race options today and enhanced Betting to 4th place here, I'm minded to suggest the three pokes against the field. (RJ)
---
Back with more tomorrow from Chester including The Chester Cup (17 declared) and a 14 runner (declared) Handicap plus decent looking punting options too at Ascot and Downpatrick.