The 2nd day of the Chester May meeting sees current Derby favourite, US Army Ranger, put his credentials on the line in the Group 3 Chester Vase and he needs to win this comfortably if he’s to justify his position at the head of the Classic market. He’s long odds on and therefore there is no bet recommended there. Instead, I’m focusing on the 2 all age handicaps for the bets today.
2.10 Chester
An 11 runner handicap run over 10 furlongs for horses rated up to 105. 4 year olds account for 5 of this field and 4 of them head the market in Darshini, Dark Red, American Artist and Felix De Vega. The first named has Ryan Moore on board for Sir Michael Stoute and comes into this off the back of an all-weather reappearance win at Chelmsford. He certainly has something to find on the book but is lightly raced and should improve. Dark Red has won his last 2 but I’m concerned about a 6lb higher mark on better ground whilst similar comments around mark can be made against Felix De Vega. American Artist is tough to dismiss and, despite a 2lb higher mark than his reappearance, he holds a very good chance. Only a skinny price of 5/1 puts me off.
Instead, I’m siding with the proven class of Sennockian Star. He has been dropped in mark to 93, his last winning mark when he won over course and distance last summer. In fact, he’s won off much higher marks in the past. Our horse goes well here, winning 2 and finishing 2nd once in his 6 tries here and goes well for this jockey in this grade. I’m also pleased to see he’s been entered up in 3 races this week, including at Ascot on Saturday, which suggests that he’s ready to win and has only been declared in case the ground turned soft.
Sennockian Star needs good or better ground so the recent good weather will definitely help and I’m actually pleased he has a wider than ideal draw at 8 as he is more likely to sit just off the pace rather than lead. His best form is definitely when tracking the pace. Since winning last summer, he’s finished 2nd in the listed Wolferton handicap and then 3rd at Haydock in a Class 2 handicap. I find it easy to dismiss his last 3 runs where soft ground hasn’t helped, nor has the need to lead. That has seen his mark come down from 97 to just 93 and he should strip much fitter for his reappearance at Epsom. He’s a tough horse that isn’t easy to shrug off and should he race prominently without leading, I think a big run is in store.
Back Sennockian Star (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 11.00 with Bet365 (1/4 odds 1-3 BOG)
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5.25 Chester
The closing race on the card is a Class 3 0-90 handicap with 14 runners, again over 10 furlongs. Tom Dascombe holds a particularly strong hand in this with Newera and The Character both holding claims, and you can never dismiss a Dascombe runner here. Dr Marwan Koukash also has 3 in the race but the best 2 have been landed with the worst of the draw. Again 4 year olds account for the leading fancies with all 5 of them trading under 10/1 and accounting for the front 5 in the market.
Newera is one of those and should go well whilst Dance Of Fire, Sarsted and Mustaqqil all represent dangerous yards. I’m a little concerned that all 3 have shown their best form on the all-weather and my preference is for the top weight, Emirates Airline. A very lightly raced 4 year old with just 6 runs to his name, this is the stable’s only runner on the card and he looks to have an excellent chance. He reappears after 189 days off but I’ve no doubt the stable will have him ready, like they did last season when he skated up by 7 lengths on the all-weather.
He’s raced 3 times in handicaps on turf, each of them stronger events than this, and twice he’s performed with some credit. He finished well down the field in the Britannia at Ascot but he was drawn on the wrong side of the track and it’s a tough race to take in at such an early stage in his career. That was a 0-105 handicap and the first 4 home are all rated above 100 now. Our selection is rated 89 and is better judged on 2 handicap defeats in 0-95 company, beaten under 2 lengths both times.
When trying this trip at Newmarket, he appeared to stay and, despite pulling hard and leading, he was only worn down very late on. This easier track will suit and I’ve no worries over the trip. Last time out, on soft ground at Newmarket over 1 mile, he again ran with significant promise and stayed on to grab 4th despite not having the clearest of runs. I expect him to improve from 3 to 4 and he could take this en route to Listed and Group races. All ground appears to come the same to him and his normal prominent racing style as well as a low draw in 4 should prove ideal.
Back Emirates Airline (e/w) for a 1.5/10 stake at 7.00 with Coral (1/4 odds 1-3 BOG)
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