The Boodles May Festival is finally upon us, and Chester is ready and raring to go for an eye-catching day one with the Vase and Oaks up for grabs.
3.40 Chester – Grosvenor Square headlines Vase
Ryan Moore will be looking for an upturn in fortunes from Guineas weekend when he takes the reigns of Grosvenor Square in the feature race of day one at the Chester May Festival. The horse, part owned by Michael Tabor, has two wins from three starts in Ireland – the latter of which was a striking Eyrefield Stakes success in October.
Hidden Law will definitely stake a claim in the Godolphin blue under William Buick after breaking his maiden in style at Newbury in April.
Oisín Murphy will ride Cadogan Place in this Group Three affair, as he did when the horse got off the mark on his only previous start on Southwell’s all-weather in March. Agenda, Pappano and Golden West make up the remainder of the six-strong field for what should be an excellent race.
3.05 Chester – Forest Fairy takes on Galileo Dame in Cheshire Oaks
Galileo Dame is Joseph O’Brien’s hope for the Weatherbys E-Passport Cheshire Oaks this term, and it’s clear to see why. The three-year-old triumphed strikingly going away at Leopardstown last month and retains the partnership with Dylan Browne McMonagle for this Listed contest.
The two fairies are likely to have something to say though. Forest Fairy, from Ralph Beckett’s Kimpton Down Stables, triumphed in a Class Four Novice Stakes clash on debut and looked every yard an Oaks contender, despite easing towards the finish.
Port Fairy – one of two Ballydoyle horses saddled – looked well on Dundalk’s all-weather recently and should go well if she can apply herself the same back on turf. Of the others, I’d keep an eye out for Beeley under Kieran Shoemark, who said the yard will have a nice filly on their hands if she can channel nervous energy effectively.
2.35 Chester – Vince L’Amour on the hat-trick hunt
It could be a memorable afternoon for Tim Easterby and his team, as Vince L’Amour chases a hat-trick in the tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap. This three-year-old is the type to make all the running and you can expect a similar tactic from the outset here. It is unknown how he’ll handle the expected good ground though, as his recent successes have come on soft and heavy.
Kings Merchant was also victorious last time out, and steps up in class with Oisin Murphy replacing Callum Rodriguez in the plate. Murphy has enjoyed a 22 per cent success rate on the flat this term, but has not found Chester a happy hunting ground recently, with just two wins around the track in the last five campaigns. The horse is more likely to suit good conditions than Vince L’Amour though, so don’t be alarmed if he is slowly away.
Blue Storm returns for Gemma Tutty after a break since mid-December, and looks to continue the trend of improving with each performance under the new yard.
Watch every race from Chester, Newton Abbot and Fontwell on Sky Sports Racing on Wednesday May 8.