Chester May Festival - Wednesday Preview - 04/05/22

The opening race at the Chester May Festival is the historic Lily Agnes.

A conditions event over 5f, previous renewals show a low draw is key, which is good news for David O’Meara’s Star Of Lady M who has bagged herself stall 2.

This promising young filly got the better of the Brocklesby second on debut which is an excellent showing first time up and that rival further enhanced the form by winning from a wide draw at Beverley the next time.

She then confirmed that promise with a cosy victory at Ripon earning herself a justified step up in grade representing the yard that took this race back in 2019.

The daughter of Havana Grey is proven on soft ground so if the forecast is correct she has an advantage over most and Danny Tudhope, who is in excellent form, boasts an impressive 20.69% strike rate at the track.

Second up at Chester on Wednesday afternoon is the Class 2 handicap again racing over the minimum distance.

Adam West sends out Live In The Dream having showed plenty of early speed to win at Sandown recently, so he looks an obvious one to excel at this sharp track, however he is priced accordingly advertised at a best price of 7/4.

Taking advantage of the three place enhancements from a couple of bookmakers, we are chancing Nymphadora, who represents a yard who perform well at this course (20% S/R).

This daughter of No Nay Never has only raced away from a straight track on one occasion which does raise a concern however she holds serious form claims having landed the Marygate before running well in numerous Group level races last term.

Dropped into handicap company from stall 1 she looks the value play at around 13/2.

The third race on the card sees ten line up for the Listed Cheshire Oaks.

Aidan O’Brien has dominated this event in recent years so don’t rule out a big run from Thoughts Of June at an each-way price, however his son Joseph looks to hold the key with Above The Curve.

By American Pharaoh out of a Galileo mare, this filly caught the eye over 1m on debut last season before winning easily when stepped up to 10f at Leopardstown on return.

She hit the line strongly enough that day and the form is working out nicely with the third and fifth already picking up victories.

History shows a lower draw is still a positive even over these longer trips however seven of ten is still workable.

Due to New London being a short price in the Chester Vase we move straight to the 15:40 where nine line up over 6f.

Pocket The Profit is an interesting runner here off a mark of 89 with George Boughey openly saying he could turn into a Group horse this season.

Stall 7 is far from ideal, however we are hoping he gets his desired soft ground, meaning there is less of an advantage to the speed horses on the front end.

He is 3/4 on left-handed tracks so he should have no issues with the quirks of the Roodee and the now Classic winning yard are in excellent form.

The penultimate race on the Wednesday is the Edinburgh Gin Maiden Stakes where Godolphin seemingly have it between them with Honiton and Secret State likely to battle it out.

With the Appleby team in flying form it would be no surprise to see Secret State take this following his second in the Wood Ditton however we are siding with the Dark Angel colt.

This 3yo grey caught the eye on debut at Nottingham towards the backend of last season finishing strongly from off the pace and he performed with credit when third in a traditionally strong maiden event at Newbury on return.

He shaped like a horse that would improve bundles for that experience and John Gosden often targets this race winning it five times since 2003.

Last up is a 7f Class 4 handicap where Paws For Thought catches the eye on his first start for Donald McCain.

This 4yo gelding was victorious on this card last year on seasonal debut winning off a mark of 87 so it is notable his new connections have plotted the same path now racing off 3lb lower.

He won’t mind some dig in the ground if the rain does fall and Paul Mulrennan is fresh off an excellent day at Thirsk on Saturday.

Stall 6 of 14 shouldn’t post any issues.