The feature race on day 2 of the Chester May meeting is the Chester Vase, a recognised Derby trial. Nothing leaps out of the page as an Epsom candidate this year, although the most likely candidates are supplied as usual by Aidan O’Brien.
He saddles Carlo Bugatti and Orchestra here and it is interesting that Joseph is on board the former who will wear blinkers for the first time. You wouldn’t normally take that as a good sign, especially for a horse having only his third race. It is in response to his fourth place behind Fascinating Rock in the Ballysax Stakes at Navan last month.
I would much rather side with Ryan Moore’s mount, Orchestra. He is an imposing son of Galileo who won his maiden at Tipperary in August after chasing home Free Eagle on his debut. He is currently 40-1 for Epsom but O’Brien is not averse to running several in the classics so a good show here could bring him into contention.
The card kicks off at 1.45 with a competitive handicap featuring several familiar names. Those with good memories will recall that Yeager did us a good turn at Ascot last season before being ambitiously aimed at Arlington. He flopped there but was hampered during the race and made a pleasing return to form at Lingfield last month. He has a good draw and is worth a chance at around 5-1. Squire Osbaldeston and Makafeh are others to note for the coming weeks.
The Huxley Stakes sees a rematch between Noble Mission and Telescope from Sandown. The former had nine lengths to spare that day and is it realistic to expect a different outcome here? The Stoute team seem to think so but he looked beaten fair and square that day and I expect Noble Mission to confirm the form. The one most likely to spoil the party is Ektihaam who looked promising until slipping up at Royal Ascot last season.
The final televised race is the seven furlong handicap at 3.15 and Captain Bob looks the one to be on here. He ran some good races as a two-year-old without winning but starts the season on a good handicap mark as a result. He won without Dettori having to use his stick at Warwick, bowled along nicely at the head of affairs and should go well here.
Yeager 1.45 Chester at 6-1 BetVictor
Noble Mission 2.15 Chester at 11-4 Betfair
Orchestra 2.45 Chester at 4-1 Paddy Power
Captain Bob 3.15 Chester at 5-1 BetVictor
