Barry Hills and the late Robert Sangster were always huge supporters of Chester’s May meeting, and the owner Marwan Koukash has since taken on their mantle as a man who treasures winners at this track above any other. But it could be argued that no one has done more for Chester over the last decade than Aidan O’Brien, whose Classically bred three-year-olds turn up year after year to support Chester’s trials for the Derby and Oaks.
Cliffs Of Moher, currently the third-favourite for the Derby, has been declared to run in the Dee Stakes on Friday, while O’Brien is responsible for four of the eight runners in Thursday’s Chester Vase. O’Brien has won the race for the last four seasons, a sequence which started with Ruler Of The World, who went on to win the Derby a few weeks later, and Venice Beach, who won a maiden at Tipperary by five-and-a-half lengths last time out, is certain to start favourite this afternoon.
Venice Beach took that race with plenty in hand, proving his stamina for a mile-and-a-half in the process. Yet this could prove to be a strong renewal of the Vase, with the Sandown Classic Trial winner Cunco also in the field, and Tamleek (3.35) going into battle for Godolphin. Tamleek improved abruptly from his debut last season to win a maiden at the Craven meeting by four lengths, and has emerged as the main market rival to the favourite at around 3-1.
Royal Artillery (2.25) was returning from eight months on the sidelines when fourth of eight behind Ulysses in the Classic Trial at Sandown last month, and can show the benefit of the run in the Huxley Stakes. Mutawatheb (3.00) could be the pick of a tightly-handicapped field in the seven-furlong handicap, while Coronation Day (3.45) will be difficult to beat in the fillies’ handicap at Catterick.
A lack of rain and what was described as “a reduced watering capacity” mean that it is an all-hurdle card at Carlisle this evening, although the going is officially good and the climb to the line at the Cumbrian track is one of the most demanding at any course whatever the ground. Breaking Bits (7.55) stays at least a couple of furlongs further than Thursday’s trip and looks a fair bet at around 7-4 to beat three opponents, while Rockabilly Riot (8.25) should also go well later on the card.
Thursday’s tips, by Greg Wood
Chester
1.50 Brorocco 2.25 Royal Artillery (nb) 3.00 Mutawatheb (nap) 3.35 Tamleek 4.05 Dahik 4.35 Poet’s Society 5.05 Caponova
Catterick
2.05 Royal Crown 2.35 Retrieve 3.10 Armandihan 3.45 Coronation Day 4.15 Cavalieri 4.45 Vallarta 5.15 Silvanus
Worcester
2.15 Shady Glen 2.45 Deise Vu 3.20 Saffron Prince 3.55 Big Penny 4.25 Lakeshore Lady 4.55 Charlie Cook 5.25 Cobra De Mai
Carlisle
5.55 Monsieur Arkadin 6.25 Heaven Scent 6.55 Trafalgar Rock 7.25 The Doorman 7.55 Breaking Bits 8.25 Rockabilly Riot 8.55 Rockalzaro
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