Chester May Festival - Cup Day Preview - 06/05/22

The first race on Chester Cup Day is the Icm Stellar Sports Earl Grosvenor Handicap where a maximum of eleven line up over the extended 7f journey.

We have two each way selections in this race with the first of those representing the new Manor House Stables trainer Hugo Palmer.

Fools Rush In, a useful son of Mehmas, boasts an excellent S/R around here (50%), and he has been kindly drawn in stall 4.

He currently sits just 2lb above his victory here in August and his age group have dominated the race in recent times.

At a massive price we are also having a saver on the rank outsider in Animal Instinct.

This 5yo wasn’t a bad horse on the AW for Sir Mark Prescott reaching a mark of 87 and the fact he was never tried on turf means there may well be further improvement to come.

Ian Williams, a trainer known for both his success here and his record with new recruits, looks the ideal stable for a horse like this to join and they gave him wind-surgery after a few outings on the AW in December.

He was chucked into the Spring Cup after this (first turf start) where he faded over 1m therefore this slight drop in trip on a sharper track may suit.

The 5yo is well drawn in 3 with Franny Norton an eye-catching booking given the venue.

The second race on the card on Friday is the Deepbridge Handicap where nine line up over the 10f trip.

Top weight Brentford Hope won’t like the drying forecast therefore he is opposed at the top of the handicap with Ralph Beckett's Lord Protector earning our vote at an each way price.

This German bred 4-y-o showed a willing attitude rattle off a hat-trick last term and he held his form well switched to handicap company.

He rates the type to improve again this term and shouldn't be dismissed.

The Group 2 Huxley Stakes gets us warmed up for the feature race on the card with John Gosden’s Megallan heading the betting at around 7/4.

This son of Kingman’s second to Hurricane Lane in the Dante last term is a strong piece of form and his pedigree provides optimism for him continuing to progress now a year older.

He is the sole representative for an age group that have excelled in this race in recent times and he shaped like a horse that would improve for the run when pushing Master Of The Seas close in the Earl Of Sefton.

The Chester Cup is next up on the card where 15 entrants line up in hope of the £77,000 in prize money.

We have two each-way selections in the race both drawn next to each other in stalls 7 & 8.

The shortest price of the pair is Solent Getaway, who has attracted support since the market opened, which is no surprise given his impressive victory over 2m here in August.

He is just 6lb higher for that win here and he was given a nice pipe-opener over an inadequate trip at Epsom on return.

At a much bigger price we wouldn’t rule out a big run from Haliphon.

This 5-y-o looks to have been campaigned for this event since switching from France to Ian Williams and he races off a lowly 8-5.

His never-nearer sixth in the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh was eye-catching and we have up to 5 places up for grabs.

The Class 3 Boodles Secret Garden Conditions Stakes betting is headed by King’s Lynn who does hold serious claims having finished second in this event last year.

We wouldn’t put any backers off, however he has to give 9lb to the level-rated Flaming Rib, which has swayed us in that direction given the position of the market.

Hugo Palmer’s son of Ribchester is draw well in stall 2 and may well improve for the drop back in trip having failed to stay the 7f in the Greenham on return.

The penultimate race on the Chester Cup card is one of the trickier betting puzzles of the week with 16 lining up for a low grade handicap.

Ian Williams looks to have another live chance here with 2019 winner and Chester favourite Heart Of Soul, however we are siding with one at a big price, in the shape of Casting Vote for Christian Williams.

Formerly with Simon Crisford, this 5yo gelding has been disappointing on the AW this season, but with that resulting in a 8lb slip in the weights he may prove well handicapped switched back to turf.

He finished third at the course in September and may out run his big odds from a nice draw.

The final race of the Chester May Festival sees Venetia Williams trying to emulate last year’s success with Green Book.

Again partnered with Franny Norton and armed with a favourable draw, this mare is thrown in based on hurdle form, and her short career on the level for Michael Dods saw her progress steadily from race to race - finishing up with a 3l victory.