Chester - Friday 6th May

Chester Tips - Northern Expert-:

 

Chester Cup 3.15 - 2 miles 2 furlongs - 14 run - Good to Soft (some rain about this afternoon)

 

I think this is a race for specialists, proven over Course and Distance or from Yards who focus on and target the race with specific types of horse.

 

At the top end of the market Solent Getaway has some Course form and is a danger although 6lbs above winning Course mark, Coltrane is a bit of a talking horse from the Balding yard who tend to do well here generally, Cleveland is completely unexposed, up best part of a mile in trip but given connections has to be feared.

 

FALCON EIGHT had the run of the race last year on Good to Soft, has surely been aimed at it again by Dermot Weld and despite carrying 5lbs more I'm sure fRankie will be again on his A-game.

 

Arcadian Sunrise will be a danger from Ireland but we're not 100% sure how race fit it is, RAJINSKY is becoming very reliable in this type of race and if breaking decently has the shortest route from Stall 1 and Reshoun, one of several from the Ian Williams yard was 11th of 11 in this last year on seasonal debut but then popped up at 66/1 at Royal Ascot and has had a run this time in preparation so could run far better than in this last year. Williams also runs Haliphon, an unexposed ex French horse who may just have been primed for this and THE GRAND VISR, runner up last year, off 2lbs lower, drawn in 14 but the 1-2 last year were drawn 10 and 11 in a field of 11.

 

I feel sure Ian Williams is going to have a win or a place here and THE GRAND VISIR just gets the nod of his runners and RAJINSKY just got the nod over Haliphon, but i do think FALCON EIGHT is the one they all have to beat, unless the AP horse is a bit special!

 

TIP - Falcon Eight / Tracker - The Grand Visr / shrapnel - Rajinsky (reserve if any n/r is Haliphon)

 

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CHESTER 1.30 Handicap - Class 2 - 7 1/2 furlongs - 11 run - Good to Soft (rain about)

 

A fair few of these may be better at further and could get outpaced round this continually turning "bowl".

 

At the top of the market there is no doubt that Boosala, Revich and Boardman all have excellent claims. Repertoire and Seasett are amongst a few who I think need a bit further on a more conventional track. Amber Island and Tomfre could certainly outrun their odds and it's a tricky race to call. Repertoire would rate the biggest danger to the selections I think.

 

I've the most confidence though by a considerable margin and at a nice price in RED MIRAGE. Its got a nice low draw, is AW fit, and an interesting profile and I think a horse with a bit of scope.  One who I think the market has missed and who could be very good each way value is ANIMAL INSTINCT who also gets a low draw and whose prominent running style and expertise at the trip could see it try to make all from the front or very near the front. If it gets the fractions right it may just get the vital first run on the 1 mile specialists who will be queueing up behind. 

 

 

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A fair bit of deadwood in this race for Apprentices I feel and some Irish challengers whose form is hard to read with no Course experience. 

 

HEART OF SOUL is a Course specialist, trained by Ian Williams and Owned by Dr Koukash, whose interest in horse may not be quite what it was but who'll still welcome a winner here looks a solid each way NAP!

 

Mafia Power is interesting for the Hanno yard if fit and may be worth a small interest on the Exchanges and ICONIQUE drawn in 6 who has had a run and who has a solid profile at the trip should be more than capable of picking up some place money.