After an excellent weekend of racing, the flat season continues across the UK and Ireland on Wednesday with the highlight of the action being the start of the May Meeting at the popular track that is Chester.
We’ve had a good look through all of the cards and there is one bet which grabs us at Chester and we are also going to try our luck with one in Ireland as well so two bets to keep us entertained throughout the afternoon.
3.40 Gowran Park
Preview
Just over 9 furlongs awaits these 17 handicapper’s and with bookies going 11/2 the field, it looks to be the most competitive race of the day. St Cianan’s Fire, trained by John McConnell, is vying for favouritism with 2 wins from his last 5 starts but he was well held off this mark on his most recent start. Celtic Revival has won 3 of his last 5, all on the all weather, but whether this step back in trip or switch of surface will suit is questionable. Lily Like hasn’t done enough on turf and the only bit of form to recommend her was last time out but she was also racing on the all weather and now steps back up to a trip that looks less than ideal. Chimeric has solid claims but like many of the fancied rivals, has a relatively wide draw to overcome.
Betting
Danesfort – If the selection is fit and ready to go on his first start since last summer, he must have a cracking chance. He’s a lightly raced maiden with just 3 starts to his name and he’s never started at a price less than 40/1 but there’s reason to believe he’ll go well here. Firstly, he ran a cracker on his most recent start when 5th of 13 at Galway where he was perhaps outpaced over 7 furlongs before staying on really well when he was hampered just under 2 furlongs out. That suggested to me that this step back up in trip will be right up his street, whilst in a race devoid of pace, his prominent racing style and low draw in 6 could be the difference. His yard has been in fine form this year and the jockey booking is particularly eyecatching whist, on breeding, any cut in the ground will be well received. It wouldn’t shock me to see him try to make all and if he can get to the front, he may well take some pegging back.
Tips
Back Danesfort (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 Bet365 BOG (⅕ odds 1-5)
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3.45 Chester
Preview
On the opening day of the 3-day Chester meeting, this 6 furlong handicap for 3 year olds takes the eye, with a maximum field of 14 lining up. Royal Dress, the mount of Ryan Moore, won on his seasonal reappearance in a novice event at Doncaster on soft ground and makes his handicap debut here. After winning so easily, he could be ahead of his mark but is a shade short at a track that may not suit. California Gem must have a chance with a good draw and ground in her favour whilst Lakota Blue is a winner of 3 of his last 5 starts but only scrambled home last time out so a 4lb rise may just prove beyond him.
Betting
Commander Straker – With a good draw in 5, this confirmed front runner could prove hard to peg back if he can get to the front from the gate. The big concern is his absence from the track, his last run coming in the Woodcote at last year’s Derby meeting but his trainer targets this meeting so I’d be surprised if he wasn’t ready to go. On debut last year, he split a pair of horses now rated in the 90s (the selection races off 85) before again finishing 2nd next time out. He then won a novice at Bath before stepping up to this trip in the Woodcote where he finished a very creditable 3rd after being given the coffin box draw, 12 of 12. The winner is now off a mark of 98 which gives the form a solid feel to it. At a track like Chester, his running style is ideal and off what looks like a decent mark, from a decent draw and with a good jockey booking, he looks a solid enough bet in a tough handicap.
Tips
Back Commander Straker (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 William Hill BOG (⅕ odds 1-4)
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