Racing Chat - Thursday 5th May

[The Brigadier]

Chester 1.40

Ten speedsters go to post for this class 2 5F handicap where the draw as per usual here will be vital. Look Out Louis from stall 3 has a big chance for trainer Julie Camacho and jockey Jason Hart. He had rival Night On Earth (stall 4) 1/2L behind in a decent 5F handicap at Newmarket last month and there shouldn’t be much between them today with that form looking good now with the winner Twilight Calls running well since in group company. The plum draw one has been drawn by Paul Midgley’s Militia who should be better for his recent re-appearance run at Ripon and has previous winning course form. This maybe between the aforementioned pair of Look Out Louis and Night On Earth although neither would want the ground to turn very soft. Preference is just for the former from stall 3.

 

LOOK OUT LOUIS 2 points win @ 7/2 Bet365

 

Worcester 1.50

A surprisingly poor 2m 4F handicap chase is included in the ITV schedule today although there’s always a winner which pays the same and bottom weight Alberic appears to have a solid look about him. Trained in Minehead by Philip Hobbs he’s lightly raced over the bigger obstacles having won at Wincanton in March and followed that up with a credible 3rd at Market Rasen four weeks later. Stable pilot Tom O’Brien has been in the saddle for both those rides and in a modest looking race again gets the leg up.

 

ALBERIC 2 points win @ 10/3 Bet365

 

Chester 2.05

A 7F 127yds class 2 three year old handicap is next up and it has attracted a field of nine. Once more we must factor into the draw and it’s very hard to fancy anything drawn in the top three stalls. Stall one is occupied by the Daniel and Claire Kubler trained Outgate who was runner up in a decent one mile handicap won by a well handicapped Godolphin horse at the Newmarket Craven meeting and shouldn’t mind dropping back half a furlong today. He’s been raised 3lb for that effort but from a decent draw and with Ryan Moore on top looks the one to be with here. The biggest danger may well be the Brian Meehan trained City Runner who’s been raised 5lb for finishing runner up in the Esher Cup at Sandown last time. He’s drawn in stall 2 alongside Outgate and the finish may well be fought out by the pair. In stall 3 we have the Andrew Balding runner Koy Koy who’s making his handicap debut but could be well handicapped and has claims.

 

OUTGATE 2 points win @ 7/2 Bet365

 

Chester 2.40

Only six go to post for the listed Dee Stakes run over 1m 2 1/2F and has a very open look about it with chances given to all six. Only 6lb cover the field with the Aidan O’Brien trained Star Of India heading the betting market here stepping up in trip. He was last seen when 5th in the Craven beaten 6 1/4L to 2000 Guineas runner up Native Trail. Cresta pulled much too hard last time and is overlooked despite the application of a first time hood. Harrow steps up in trip and is not without a chance coming here fit from two all weather runs this year. Mr McCann runs for the now local trainer Hugo Palmer in a first time tongue tie and if straight enough is no back number. Sonny Liston was a bit disappointing on his re-appearance when 4th to Eydon but was entitled to need that run and can do better whilst the Roger Varian trained Dubai Poet failed to beat the progressive Checkandchallenge in a listed contest at Newcastle last month. The winner failed to boost the form with a moderate effort in the 2000 Guineas. A tough race but I’ll take a stab with the Charlie Hills trained, Marco Ghiani ridden Sonny Liston to provide the knockout blow (sorry !).

 

SONNY LISTON 1 point win @ 5/1 Bet365

 

Chester 3.10

The Ordmonde Stakes run over 1m 5 1/2F of the Roodeye is a group 3 contest for four year olds and upwards and has attracted a field of ten this time around. The best in at these weights today is Ralph Beckett’s Albaflora who makes her seasonal re-appearance. She’s won first time out on both of her last two seasons and will have loved the rain that fell on Wednesday. She looks a solid bet if she handles the track. William Haggas’s Hamish will have been pleased to see the easing of the ground as he likes to get his toe in as well although a 3lb penalty here is not ideal. Thunderous represents the Mark and Charlie Johnstone team and a disappointing effort first time out at Newbury may have been needed. Ridden by Franny Norton who rides this tight track so well he can run well each way but for me it’s all about Albaflora.

 

ALBAFLORA 3 points win @ 9/4 William Hill

 

Chester 3.40

Fourteen have declared for this four year old and upwards 1m 2 1/2F class 3 handicap. Even over 10F the draw is highly significant and it would hard to fancy anything drawn very high. Enfranchise is 5lb well in here following his good 2nd spot at Brighton last week but he’s in box 13 so is dismissed for that reason alone. Pride Of Priory is the ‘sexy’ horse here, trained by Newmarket based William Haggas he’s drawn stall 3 but hasn’t been seen since winning a match at Haydock in September on fast ground. He’s also been raised 6lb for that victory so is opposable. I like Pride Of America from stall 7 who likes to front run so if he can ping the gates and get across he could be in pole position after a couple of furlongs. He’s trained by capable Newmarket handler Amy Murphy and won on his debut for her at Newcastle in March when making all despite taking a fierce hold. That was followed up by a good second spot on the soft turf at Pontefract when again attempting to make all only to be run down inside the final furlong. Silvestre De Sousa rode him that day and is back in the saddle and if he can get the fractions right can run a big race.

 

PRIDE OF AMERICA 1 1/2 points each way @ 8/1 Bet365 1/5^th 1234

 

[richard-westwood]

Just the one race tomorrow ...all the others are rating too close 

130 chest 

Night on earth   8.1  11/2 

Look out Louis  7.9 5.2 betfair 

Sunday sovereign  7.3 

These top  2 are clear of rest so I'll try 10pt wins both 

Edited May 4, 2022 by richard-westwood