Morning all,

The feature race of the second day of Chester's May Festival is the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (3.10), Albaflora, who was placed in three Group 1 races last season, heads the betting and any ease in the ground could make her hard to beat. There are also four competitive handicaps and the Listed Dee Stakes (2:40) on a seven-race card

Both today’s feature races are interesting and the Ormonde Stakes has managed to attract ten runners. Inside today’s main piece, I preview the big races on day two.

There was plenty of rain around at Chester yesterday and the going changed to soft after race two. It’s forecast to be mainly dry tomorrow but there could be more rain during racing on Friday.

Classic clues at Chester

It was a battle of the O’Brien’s in the Cheshire Oaks with Aidan getting the better of Joseph. Thoughts Of June is aptly named for possible Oaks contender as she reversed places with Leopardstown conqueror Above The Curve. The winner handled the track better than second and the soft ground brought her stamina into play.  Thoughts Of Love will continue to progress and is lively Oaks contender after her success yesterday. The runner-up probably has more speed the winner and will be suited by a drop back to 1m 2f.

My each-way selection in the race Moon De Vega finished 4^th. However, she was hampered 2f out but for that would have finished third. It was one of those days for me on the punting front with Paws For Thought being caught on the line in the last.

Hot favourite New London was turned over at 4/11 in the Chester Vase with Ryan Moore giving Changingoftheguard a good ride from the front to gain a comfortable success. His win gave Aidan O’Brien a 7^th success in the race since 2013.

The steady pace set by the winner didn’t suit the favourite nor did he totally look comfortable around the Chester twists and turns. Not unsurprisingly he was pushed out to as big as 16/1 on the back of this performance.

More Derby & Oaks clues will be revealed in the next week or so. One horse we won’t be seeing in the Derby is the Queen’s Reach For The Moon, It was revealed yesterday that the colt will mis the race as he hasn’t recovered from an injury setback and will head to Royal Ascot. Sadly, his defection means the Queen won’t have runner in the Derby in what is her Platinum Jubilee Year

Chester May Festival – Day 2

3:10 – tote.co.uk Proud To Support Chester Racecourse Ormonde Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 5 ½ f

Plenty to like about the claims of Albaflora on her seasonal return. She’s 3lb clear on official ratings and is 2-2 when returning from 121-day break.

Hamish would like a bit of juice in the ground for his return to action. The 6-year-old beat Hukum in the September Stakes at Kempton on last year’s seasonal reappearance but didn’t really build on that performance on two subsequent starts. Not the easiest to keep sound but we know he goes well off a layoff. Capable of big run if bouncing back to his best. Andrew Balding saddled Morando to win the 2019 renewal and he runs

Alounak. The 7-year-old was in good form last summer winning the Old Newton Cup and finishing a 1½ length 3^rd in the Ebor Handicap. Seemed to handle the track when runner-up in Listed race last September but doesn’t have a great record fresh.

Thunderous ran like the run was needed when a 6 ¼ length 6th of 7 to Max Vega in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury last month.  The 5-year-old has been disappointing since winning the 2020 Dante Stakes at York. However, he could get an uncontested lead and the blinkers left off at Newbury return.

John Leeper looked a smart middle-distance prospect when winning a Listed race at Newmarket 12 months ago and was sent off just 8/1 when down the field in the Derby. Didn’t really build on his early season promise but remains with potential as 4-year-old.

2:40 – Homeserve Dee Stakes (Listed Race) (Colts & Geldings) – 1m 2 ½ f

Aidan O’Brien has dominated the Dee Stakes in recent years winning six of the last nine renewals. He relies on Star Of India to give him another winner. The son of Galileo was forward enough to win a back end Leopardstown maiden on his racecourse debut. A respectable 6 ¼ length 5th of 6 to Native Trail in Craven Stakes last month he will be suited by the step up to 1m 2 ½ f and given the yard’s record the one to beat.

Cresta, a useful juvenile, finished a 5 ¾ length 5th of 6 to Eydon in a Listed race at Newmarket last month. He pulled away any chance he had that day and needs the first-time hood to have the desired effect.

Mr McCann won three times in a productive juvenile campaign, ending last season with an all the way win at Epsom. Could be hard to peg back around here if getting an uncontested lead. First start for Hugo Palmer and he holds a Derby entry.

No fancies entries Dubai Port. A winner of a Newbury maiden last season before finishing a 4 ½ lengths behind Coroebus in a Group 3 at Newmarket. He showed he had trained on from two to three when a 1 ½ length 2nd of 6 in listed race at Newcastle last month and is respected for last year’s winning yard.

Sonny Liston looked potentially smart when winning on racecourse debut at Sandown last summer. Off for 10 months before finishing a 5 ¾ length 4th of 6 to Eydon at Newmarket last month. Keen that day after a long layoff. That run should have taken the freshness out of the colt who looks capable of better this season.

Thursday Racing

Besides the action on the Roodee. There’s an evening all-weather evening card at Chelmsford. The day’s racing is completed with jump cards at Huntingdon, Worcester, and Tipperary.

Thursday Selection

I have a few fancies at Chester today but today’s main selection runs in the feature race.

Chester

3:10 – 1pt win – Hamish – 5/1 @ Bet365 & Coral.

Good luck with your Thursday bets.

John