Rah Rah (2-1) and Not Never (11-1) gave us a profit on the opening day of the Chester May meeting. Quick Jack was just run out of it in the Chester Cup by Trip To Paris, ironically the horse that I had deserted due to the rain softened ground.
Thursday’s card looks equally competitive and the action begins at 2.10 with a mile and a quarter handicap. Andrew Balding’s Collaboration did us a favour when winning the City & Suburban Handicap at Epsom last time and is difficult to oppose, despite a hefty rise in the weights. He was always travelling well that day and was going further clear at the finish.
The Huxley Stakes at 2.40 looks wide open with some progressive horses entered. Cannock Chase may just have needed his first run of the season at Sandown in the Gordon Richards Stakes. Relatively few of Sir Michael Stoute’s horses have proved fit enough to win first time out. He is just preferred to Air Pilot who went through the handicap last season.
Hans Holbein can add another string to the bow of Aidan O’Brien in the Chester Vase as he plans his raiding party for the Epsom Derby next month. He has already shown that stamina is his strength and the opposition here is pretty weak for a Group 3.
Goring may be worth supporting in the seven furlong handicap after winning cosily last time out. He had previously been disqualified after a banned substance was found in his sample. Stoute’s Pleiades was beaten a long way last time and 6-1 or thereabouts looks good value for Eve Johnson Houghton’s runner.
Raj To Riches has just been caught in his first two races and should be suited by this faster track. He can use his early speed to put his rivals under pressure and get off the mark at the third time of asking. The six-furlong handicap which follows looks particularly tricky and I’m going to give another chance to Navigate. Martyn Meade’s colt showed plenty of early speed at Newmarket last time and this looks an easier contest.
The card closes with another very competitive race and the vote just goes to Empress Ali. She has run three times previously at the Roodeye, returning the form figures 2, 2, 1. Tom Tate may well have targeted this meeting for her seasonal reappearance and she is well drawn in stall 4.
Collaboration 2.10 @9-4 Bet365
Cannock Chase 2.40 @15-8 William Hill
Hans Holbein 3.10 @5-2 Racebets
Goring 3.45 @6-1 Bet365
Raj To Riches 4.20 @5-2 Bet365
Navigate 4.55 @9-1 William Hill
Empress Ali 5.25 @7-1 William Hill
