HIDDEN LAW (3.40, nb) looks the order of the day in the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes at the Roodee today.
With ITV4 showing the first five races on the opening day card of the Chester Cup meeting, expect Charlie Appleby’s colt to show his rivals a clean pair of heels and make a strong case to run in the Derby.
The son of Dubawi was unlucky on his Southwell debut when beaten a short head by the re-opposing Cadogan Place, but made up for it at Newbury 18 days ago when storming home by a comfortable five and a half lengths ahead of Clockmaker.
A notable turn of foot will be the ideal attribute around the tight confines of the Chester track.
The Irish have plenty of ammunition in the Listed Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks, with GALILEO DAME (3.05, Nap) looking the best of the bunch. The Joseph O’Brien-trained daughter of Galileo Gold has yet to run on any ground other than heavy, but was impressive on her second and most recent outing, when beating Rubies Are Red by three and a half lengths in a Leopardstown maiden last month.
The CAA Stellar Handicap can go to WINGED MESSENGER (1.30) for Julie Camacho.
Improving with each run, my selection ended his juvenile campaign with a win at Hamilton. He began the new season with a running-on third at Thirsk over five furlongs. The extra furlong will suit him.
DAISY INTHE BREEZE (2.05) scored on her debut at Brighton and is expected be prominent in the five furlong CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes, while KINGS MERCHANT (2.35) can follow up a Wolverhampton win from a great draw in the tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap with Oisin Murphy in the saddle.
Wednesday's selections
CHESTER
1.30 WINGED MESSENGER
2.05 DAISY INTHE BREEZE
2.35 KINGS MERCHANT
3.05 GALILEO DAME (NAP)
3.40 HIDDEN LAW (NB)
4.10 GALLANTLY
4.45 G'DAAY
KELSO
1.40 IDEM
2.10 PINOT ROUGE
2.40 RACEVIEW ROAD
3.10 CALL ME JACK
3.45 LILY DU BERLAIS
4.20 PAY THE PIPER
4.55 DISCO DAVIS
5.25 GO ON CHEZ
FONTWELL
5.10 WHYNOTNOWROY
5.40 LUMI PLUGIN
6.10 SHERBORNE
6.40 THE BOLD THADY
7.10 RIVER TYNE
7.40 ORBYS RIVER
8.10 LADY SALVADOR
KEMPTON PARK
6.00 SCENIC
6.30 BLACKLION
7.00 BELLA TASLINA
7.30 SURREY NOIR
8.00 TAYALA
8.30 DARK DREAMER
9.00 GOLDEN DOVE
DOUBLE: GALILEO DAME and HIDDEN LAW