Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the day one action at Chester’s May Festival.
Chester May Festival – Day One Preview
The Boodles May Festival kicks off with a bang. The feature race is the Group 3 Chester Vase (3:05), a key Epsom Derby trial. The last Derby winner to come through this route was Wings Of Eagles, runner-up here in 2017. The last to do the Vase/Derby double was Ruler Of The World, also trained by Aidan O’Brien, in 2013.
O’Brien has dominated this race, winning ten times since 2007. He sends out Lambourn and Thrice among the eight declared for this year’s renewal.
The other highlight is the Cheshire Oaks (2:35), another race O’Brien has farmed – eight wins since 2008, including five of the last ten. He relies on Minnie Hauk this year, a progressive daughter of Frankel.
The Cheshire Oaks has a strong Epsom link. Forever Together ran in this before winning the Oaks in 2018, while Enable took both races in 2017.
ITV Racing will cover the first five from Chester, plus a bonus race from Newton Abbot.
1:30 – Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes (5f)
This juvenile dash usually starts the meeting with a flyer. Hard to weigh up with several debut winners. Viamarie, who impressed at Kempton 28 days ago, is the token pick and the first leg for Placepot players.
2:05 – Ladbrokes Handicap (5f, 3yo)
Plenty of early speed here which could set up the race for the closers.
Red Orange (stall 2) showed sharp pace when third on reappearance at Sandown. Could go close from a good draw.
Kinetic Force (8) blitzed rivals at Bath and looked transformed. He’s up 12lb but still dangerous. De Sousa is 2-2 on him.
Fuji Mountain (10) is unbeaten over C&D (2-2) and goes well with cut. Needs to break fast from a wide draw.
Seraphim Angel (5) won the Lily Agnes over C&D last year. She should come on for her recent Wolverhampton return, and cheekpieces return.
2:35 – Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks (Listed, 1m3½f)
That’s Amore looked smart when quickening clear on debut at Newbury in heavy ground. Different test here, but she’s respected for last year’s winning trainer.
Minnie Hauk made all to win her Leopardstown maiden in October. She’s bred to improve at three and hails from the right yard. Big player.
Queen Of Thieves, a full sister to Cracksman, made all at Yarmouth 15 days ago. Has fitness and pedigree on her side.
Caspi Star impressed when winning back on turf at Musselburgh 18 days ago. A smooth mover who likes good ground. Looks overpriced to me at 25/1. Only seven runners which is a shame for each-way purposes.
3:05 – Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3, 1m4½f)
Lambourn ran a personal best when second to Delacroix in the Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown on return. This longer trip looks ideal. Hard to oppose.
Pinhole won a Southwell novice in December and should do better as a 3-year-old. Stabelmate Square D'Alboni, a Listed winner in France, is gelded so can't go to Epsom, but brings the best form into the race.
Convergent is 2-2 and shaped well at Redcar on return. Big frame, but if he handles the track, he’ll run a bold race.
The outsider of the field is Faire La Nouba who is 200/1 with Coral & Ladbrokes. He’s also the worst value bet in the race. He’s 2000/1 on my tissue which shows how stingy the bookies are.
3:40 – Love Federal Capital Handicap (Class 3, 6f)
Hammer The Hammer bolted up twice at Southwell. A 6lb penalty shouldn’t stop him if he handles turf – though stall 10 is a worry.
Bob Mali ran a fine second at Newmarket behind a stablemate going places on appearance. That appeals as strong form. A C&D winner last season Drawn in stall 2 he’s a major contender if as good on quicker ground.
Diligently needs a strong pace, which he should get. His York sales win reads well. Could go close if ready to roll for the first time since August
Cyclonite hit a personal best when third on All-Weather Finals Day. An each-way contender if he transfers that form to turf.
Wednesday Selection:
I’ve posted a few fancies for Wednesday’s Chester card to subscribers on Tuesday afternoon — you can find them here. (use code DAILYPUNT at checkout for a big discount)
As ever I’ve focused mainly on the handicaps, but I did have small stakes bet in the Cheshire Oaks.
While Minnie Hauk and That’s Amore look potential improvers at three, Caspi Star caught my eye at the 25/1 available with Coral and Ladbrokes — that looked too big.
Tomorrow’s column will cover the best of the action from Day Two at Chester’s May Meeting.
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John