It's Chester Vase day on CH4 and Sam Turner has the best bets from the TV races.
2.10 Chester
Lightly-raced four-year-olds Darshini and FELIX DE VEGA (Best price 7-1) top the shortlist for an intriguing race as both arrive in good heart and remain largely unexposed. The former has the cheekpieces reapplied after winning at Chelmsford and they may sharpen his mind. The form of that win has taken a number of hits since though.
Felix De Vega is versatile ground wise and he cruised through a competitive Ripon handicap before scoring decisively last time. Although raised 8lb for that success, there looks more to come from Mick Easterby’s charge and he could be a touch of value given the presence of some higher profile yards.
Dark Red also fits into the unexposed category having won twice this term since being stepped up to 10 furlongs, while American Artist is a tough horse to put a line through given his preference for good ground and his powerful connections.
Felix De Vega is versatile ground wise and he cruised through a competitive Ripon handicap before scoring decisively last time. Although raised 8lb for that success, there looks more to come from Mick Easterby’s charge and he could be a touch of value given the presence of some higher profile yards.
Dark Red also fits into the unexposed category having won twice this term since being stepped up to 10 furlongs, while American Artist is a tough horse to put a line through given his preference for good ground and his powerful connections.
Felix De Vega - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1
2.40 Chester
Likely favourite Western Hymn has a decent record fresh so it was disappointing he couldn’t take advantage of a good opportunity at Sandown last time (Master Carpenter 4th, Top Notch Tonto 6th). He should be sharper today but has his quirks.
CANNOCK CHASE (Best price 3-1) found his turn of foot nullified by soft ground when second in this event last term and, although a trip to Royal Ascot will again by the ultimate objective, he is rated to take a hand in the finish, even if he may ultimately need a mile and a half these days. The drying ground will aid his cause.
Battalion didn’t get home over 13 furlongs at Chelmsford and looks a real threat if in the mood.
CANNOCK CHASE (Best price 3-1) found his turn of foot nullified by soft ground when second in this event last term and, although a trip to Royal Ascot will again by the ultimate objective, he is rated to take a hand in the finish, even if he may ultimately need a mile and a half these days. The drying ground will aid his cause.
Battalion didn’t get home over 13 furlongs at Chelmsford and looks a real threat if in the mood.
Cannock Chase - 1pt @ 3/1
3.10 Chester
Aidan O’Brien has won six of the last nine runnings of this race and US Army Ranger has been compared to 2013 winner Ruler Of The World who went on to score at Epsom. Just one of the six horses to emerge from the Curragh maiden he won have also obliged, but he clearly remains a colt of huge potential.
Stablemate Port Douglas has already won a Group 2 and the blinkers he wore when fourth in the Racing Post Trophy are replaced by a tongue strap and cheekpieces. That form has seen a couple of sizeable reverses this term but there could be more to come from him as a three-year-old given his breeding.
Stablemate Port Douglas has already won a Group 2 and the blinkers he wore when fourth in the Racing Post Trophy are replaced by a tongue strap and cheekpieces. That form has seen a couple of sizeable reverses this term but there could be more to come from him as a three-year-old given his breeding.
Port Douglas without fav - 1pt @ 1/1
3.45 Chester
Tom Dascombe, who loves a Chester winner, sets punters a poser here by running both Above N Beyond and ARCANANDA (Best price 7-2), both of whom like to race prominently. The former ran well in Listed company at Lingfield and it is interesting that Richard Kingscote prefers him of the two stable runners. However, Arcanada has already won at the track and his stamina is confirmed courtesy of his Doncaster win last time so he narrowly gains the nod.
Ode To Evening didn’t stay 10 furlongs at Sandown last time and this test looks more suitable, while both Storm Rising and Dark Devil are unexposed and respected having looked very useful juveniles.
Ode To Evening didn’t stay 10 furlongs at Sandown last time and this test looks more suitable, while both Storm Rising and Dark Devil are unexposed and respected having looked very useful juveniles.
Arcanada - 1pt @ 7/2
