13:30 Wed 10 May 2023

CAA STELLAR LILY AGNES CONDITIONS STAKES (2)

Distance 5f 15y

1. Balon D’Or: A strong contender who demonstrated resilience in a neck win at Musselburgh on good to soft ground. The form of that race has been boosted since, so Balon D’Or is certainly one to keep an eye on.
2. Ziggys Phoenix: The soft ground at Ripon was clearly to this horse’s liking, and if conditions are similar at Chester, he could be very much in the mix. He has shown consistent form and improvement, which adds to his appeal.
3. Parkside Boy: The form of his Dundalk win may look a bit confusing as the four runners finished closely, but it’s worth noting he beat an odds-on favourite from Ballydoyle. This Irish contender could be an interesting prospect here.
4. Ziggys Dream: Managed to justify favouritism at Doncaster on soft ground, indicating that she could perform well if the conditions are similar here. She won with ease, distancing herself from her rivals, which is a promising sign.

Beyond the rankings, consider John Steed who made a promising debut at Bath, always maintaining a good position and performed well for second place. This horse represents last year’s winning connections, adding to the potential for a good performance.

Tierney, a newcomer, could also be interesting. She’s a half-sister to three winners and comes from a local yard that also runs Balon D’Or. As a newcomer, she could surprise, and the market may offer some clues to her chances.

Prize £15,288 Age 2yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 11

Going Good to Soft

14:05 Wed 10 May 2023

tote £100K GUARANTEED PLACEPOT EVERY DAY HANDICAP (3)

Distance 5f 15y

Prize £15,288 Rated (0-95) Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 12

Going Good to Soft

1. Democracy Dilemma: This horse was on the go early in 2022 and made all over the course and distance at this meeting on the third start. He was better than ever when winning at Thirsk 18 days ago (5f) and that soft ground clearly suited him well. However, he is up 5lb and has more to do this time, but still, he remains a considerable contender.
2. Danger Alert: Acts on soft/heavy ground and has won over both sprint trips on the all-weather for the new yard. However, he had a serious off-day last month which raises a doubt back on turf.
3. Jer Batt: He took a big step forward for the new yard this year, winning a Southwell maiden and impressive in his first turf handicap, over 5f at Musselburgh ten days ago (good to soft). He is due an 11lb rise in the future so has a significant chance without a penalty. However, navigating the widest draw might be a challenge.
4. Squealer: All races at about 5f on good or quicker ground; quite progressive 2yo, improving on York win in September (extended 5f, good) when following up at Beverley, then not far away in Group 3 Cornwallis at Newmarket. He can do better in 2023 but lacks a run and it’s hard to predict whether slow ground will suit.

Regarding other contenders that might be overlooked:

Seantrabh: He is a speedy front-runner from a useful sprint family; promising third to Squealer at York (about 5f, good) on debut. He showed bright speed to make all at Catterick on final start (soft) and can come on for the recent Thirsk reappearance fourth to Democracy Dilemma who had a fitness advantage. He might put in a bold bid.

14:40 Wed 10 May 2023

WEATHERBYS DIGITAL SOLUTIONS CHESHIRE OAKS (Listed) (1)

Distance 1m 3f 75y

Prize £56,020 Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 8

Going Good to Soft

1. Savethelastdance: This Galileo filly made a sharp improvement on her sole 2-year-old effort, beating two subsequent scorers comfortably in a notable maiden at Leopardstown. The trainer has a strong record in this contest, having won seven times. Savethelastdance carries excellent credentials into the race. However, we should note that while she won her last race, it was on heavy ground, so the going might be a factor.
2. Luckin Brew: She opened her account on her third start at Kempton and ended her 2-year-old campaign with a good second in Listed grade at Pontefract. She’s bred to rate higher still, being a sister to a four-time Listed/Group winner. She has a solid chance here. However, she needs to prove she can handle this step up in class and distance.
3. Cite d’Or: She bounced back to form with a third-place finish in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom. However, she’s comparatively exposed and others bring greater potential to this race. The addition of first-time headgear may have a positive effect, but it could also indicate some concerns from the trainer.
4. Ermesinde: Both her starts have been at Lingfield on the all-weather track, where she won in February and was a shade unlucky in March. Still unexposed, she faces a much harder task on her turf debut.

An overlooked contender could be Sirona. Although she was disappointing at Pontefract on her final 2-year-old start, she was progressive otherwise and may still have more to offer. She made all for a 4l Listed win at Cologne last September and is bred to be suited by middle distances this year. She remains of interest.

15:15 Wed 10 May 2023

BOODLES CHESTER VASE STAKES (Group 3) (1)

Distance 1m 4f 63y

Prize £67,224 Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 5

Going Good to Soft

1. Adelaide River: This Ballydoyle colt had a solid 2-year-old campaign, ending with a creditable third in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He finished behind Arrest on that occasion but could well close the gap as he shaped like a 1m4f+ colt. His trainer’s record in this race is impressive, adding weight to his credentials. However, the leap from his previous performance to this one is significant, and he will need to show that he can compete at this higher level.
2. Arrest: This Frankel colt put up a good fight in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, pulling clear of third-placed Adelaide River. He already sets the form standard and there is a clear possibility of further progress this season. However, as always, the transition from 2-year-old form to 3-year-old achievements isn’t always straightforward, and he needs to demonstrate that he can maintain his form.
3. Duke Of Oxford: He has a perfect record, having won AW novice events at Chelmsford and Wolverhampton, the latter impressively. He’s a promising sort but faces a much stiffer assignment on his turf debut. This new surface is a big question mark, and he’ll need to prove he can handle it.
4. Hadrianus: He made all under Franny Norton at Kempton in December and was a good second to the odds-on favourite in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on his reappearance. This son of Galileo should relish the 1m4f and looks capable of further improvement. He is respected, but the step up in class is a challenge he still has to meet.

Galactic Jack could be overlooked. While he scored at Goodwood on his second 2-year-old start, his limitations have been somewhat exposed in Group/Listed races at Newmarket since. He faces a tough task moving up to 1m4f and will need to show significant improvement to compete here.

15:45 Wed 10 May 2023

CAMDEN PALE HANDICAP (3)

Distance 6f 17y

Prize £12,740 Rated (0-90) Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 14

Going Good to Soft

1. Shes Centimental: This US-bred filly has been impressive, beating a fellow improver when not settling at Wolverhampton. She is clearly on the upgrade, but the slower conditions forecast for this race might not suit her ideally. The stall position, at 13, is also a disadvantage, making life difficult for her. Therefore, while she’s a strong contender, these factors could limit her performance.
2. Kessaar Power: He has won both his starts on either side of being gelded, including a narrow victory at Yarmouth. However, he’s 4lb higher in a loftier grade here, and could have been better drawn. These two factors suggest that, while he’s in good form, this could be a more challenging race for him.
3. Frankness: With two course wins last season, she has proven her suitability to the track, though those were at 7f. She’s been beaten significantly in two Group-race assignments, and while she probably has the pace for sprinting, her stall 12 position could be a disadvantage on her handicap debut.
4. Lakota Blue: He was a useful 2-year-old and recently held on narrowly at Ripon. He’s high in the weights following a 4lb rise but should give his running. However, his success at Ripon was partly due to a good draw, which he may not benefit from this time.

As for overlooked horses, Royal Dress could be one to watch. She made steady progress as a 2-year-old, with a near-miss at Doncaster in a race that’s worked out particularly well. She returned there 12 days ago with a comfortable front-running victory. She could easily be well treated for this handicap debut and the draw has been kind. While she isn’t in the top four by rankings, her recent form suggests she could outperform expectations.

16:20 Wed 10 May 2023

DEEPBRIDGE SYNDICATE MAIDEN STAKES (3)

Distance 1m 2f 70y

Prize £10,192 Age 3yo Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 11

Going Good to Soft

1. Gifted Angel: This horse is exposed and currently 0-11, showing no significant improvement with the visor fitted at Epsom. Given the promising opposition in this race, Gifted Angel looks quite vulnerable. While it’s ranked first, its previous performances suggest it might struggle to deliver a winning performance.
2. Lunatick: Showing similar form in two 1m AW novices, Lunatick even finished behind Amleto in the first. However, after wind surgery, the horse delivered an encouraging second place at Windsor. While this is a positive sign, it’s worth noting that the horse’s form has been inconsistent.
3. Shadow Dance: This horse is a half-brother to French middle-distance winner Sassifrassi and showed potential when it stayed on nicely from off the pace to finish second at Windsor. The two horses it divided had the benefit of a previous race. This suggests that Shadow Dance is a strong contender in this race, particularly as it appears to have potential for improvement.
4. Vaguely Royal: This well-bred colt divided subsequent winners when it came third at Yarmouth and is open to significant improvement as a 3yo now raised to middle distances. This horse is well respected and could prove a strong contender in this race.

Looking beyond the rankings, Amleto is one to watch. This horse is a 240,000gns yearling and brother to dual Group 1 winner Sea Of Class. It improved significantly from its debut to finish fourth at Kempton, despite racing freely. Having been gelded since, Amleto could yet prove to be quite smart, potentially outperforming its current ranking.

16:55 Wed 10 May 2023

EVERYONE’S TURF HANDICAP (4)

Distance 7f 1y

Prize £10,192 Rated (0-85) Age 4yo+ Race State Declaration Surface Turf Runners 14

Going Good to Soft

1. Roundhay Park: This horse comes fresh from a wide-margin 6f win at Catterick and has a previous win over this course and distance under its belt. However, it hasn’t consistently demonstrated strong form at 7f and was well held on soft ground in this race last year. The inconsistency and previous performance on similar ground are concerns to consider.
2. Another Batt: An infrequent winner these days, Another Batt does have the potential for very useful handicap form on soft ground and is a course winner over slightly further. However, his inconsistency in winning is a drawback. Nevertheless, he’s favourably treated and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him perform well.
3. Paws For Thought: This horse has delivered some of its best efforts on this track and nearly added to its two wins when just edged out on reappearance in this race in 2022. However, the horse has been mostly quiet since then, which raises some doubts about its current form. Paws For Thought is lower in the weights than 12 months ago, which might be an advantage.
4. Mellys Flyer: Mellys Flyer is a previous 7f handicap winner at Epsom, but the distance often seems to test his stamina to the limit. He was withdrawn from this race last year due to soft ground, which raises questions about his ability to handle the current conditions.

Beyond the rankings, Broken Spear is worth a mention. Despite a slow start, he won this race in 2021 and recently returned to form at Leicester. His ability to handle the deteriorating ground could give him an edge over some of the other runners. Similarly, Devasboy, who showed good form winning over the extended 7f at this track last June and went close over the same course and distance in September, could prove to be a dark horse in this race.