2:05 – 5f Handicap (Class 2)
Navello 7/1 – George Boughey, William Buick
Fresh from winning the 1000 Guineas with Cachet, George Boughey saddles Navello here in the second race on the card at Chester.
The three-year-old gelding is a course and distance winner, having won at this festival last year, in the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes.
That was on good to soft ground, and he has been gelded since.
The conditions here are likely to suit and he is already proven at a track which can be tricky.
His most recent performance came at Thirsk last month, where he disappointed on soft ground.
He finished eighth of nine, with Live In The Dream coming in fourth receiving 8lbs from Navello.
This time around Navello is 3lbs better off with his rival, and the in-form trainer has booked in-form jockey William Buick for the ride.
He finished three-lengths behind the formidable El Caballo in December, a horse who recently recorded a win-streak of five races and has looked a real prospect.
Navello has then gone on to finish fifth and second respectively on the all-weather, before the disappointing run at Thirsk.
This could well be an opportunity to return to winning ways, and there are plenty of variables that appear to be in his favour.
If he is showing any of his past form at home and is ready for this challenge he must surely be competitive.
He is drawn in stall four, which should be fine with a field of seven likely to go to post.
2:40 – Cheshire Oaks (Listed)
Above The Curve 13/8 – Joseph Patrick O’Brien, Shane Crosse
This progressive filly looks a worthy favourite in this year’s renewal of the Cheshire Oaks.
She has only raced twice in her career, finishing third on debut behind two promising fillies in Villanova Queen and Kerkiyra.
She only raced once as a two-year-old, before reappearing on track in April, winning at Leopardstown.
Towards the end of the race there she is reported to have run green after hitting the front and should come on plenty with experience.
Chester can be tough, but if she can handle the track she is the one to beat here.
Aidan O’Brien runs Thoughts Of June, but Above The Curve has beaten her twice, with plenty of daylight between the two last time out.
Above The Curve is currently 12/1 for the Oaks at Epsom, but will significantly shorten if able to put in a good performance in this Listed contest.
3:10 – Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3)
New London 2/5 – Charlie Appleby, William Buick
This probably isn’t a race to be dabbling in from a betting perspective, but is an interesting contest nonetheless.
Four runners go to post due to the absence of Dillian who has been withdrawn, and the market is overwhelmingly in favour of Godolphin’s top Derby hope New London.
He has been cut to as short as 9/2 antepost with bookmakers ahead of the Epsom meeting, but had been 50/1 earlier in the year.
The son of Dubawi appears to be Charlie Appleby’s first string for the Classic next month and plenty of eyes will be on him to see how he handles the track.
Chester is often a difficult test for young horses and it can be an ideal preparation ahead of the Derby or Oaks at Epsom.
New London impressed on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket, winning in impressive fashion having shown a professional attitude and plenty of stamina.
He has won on good and soft ground and is an extremely promising colt who should be a convincing winner here.
3:40 – 6f Handicap (Class 3)
Selby’s Pride 11/1 (EW) – Tony Coyle, Paddy Mathers
Ever Given is a fair favourite ahead of this race, having won two handicaps last season, including at the course over an extra furlong.
He has been performing consistently since making his debut last May and drops down in class here.
It has been 207 days since his last run however, and he has to carry plenty of weight.
An interesting contender in the race is three-year-old filly Selby’s Pride.
She has been doing well over 5f, finishing among the first three in all of her last five races.
This season she has finished third twice but has stayed on well in both races, suggesting a step up in trip may suit.
She hasn’t got the best draw here from stall eight, but could be an each-way player and may be open to further progression.
By Katie Midwinter (03/05/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 