Chester's three-day May Meeting comes to a climax with an excellent seven-race card and Tac De Boistron (3.10) the stand-out entry, carving himself out as one of the best stayers' in training with success in last season's G1 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp. Marco Botti's 8-y-o has been a revelation since joining the yard two seasons' back, and is yet to finish outside of the first three subsequently.
The gelding was successful at the track under regular partner Martin Harley in 2013 and boasts an excellent record fresh. He is a 12/1 chance with BetVictor for next month's Ascot Gold Cup at the Royal Meeting however he would need cut in the ground and whilst he may not have conditions to suit at Ascot, he certainly does this afternoon and is a confident selection to give weight and a beating to his seven rivals with ease.
The soft ground could see plenty of Non Runners this afternoon however a horse taken to thrive in the conditions is Ed Dunlop's Prince Gagarin (2.40) in the Dee Stakes over a mile and a quarter. The well-bred Dubawi colt was well-backed for the G1 Acomb Stakes at York's Ebor meeting, disappointing on rattling quick ground, however made amends on soft ground in listed grade at Pontefract in October. Ballydoyle handler Aidan O'Brien boasts a tremendous record in the race and his Smugglers Cove is a fascinating entry, even more so with Ryan Moore riding as opposed to Disegno for Sir Michael Stoute; the latter 50/1 with BetVictor for The Derby next month at Epsom.
David Evans has gone close with a couple of runners at the track this week however Anonymous John (3.45) can return the yard back to the winners enclosure in the 5f Handicap. The selection thrives on the testing underfoot conditions, winning on heavy ground last term at Doncaster, and after running with credit four times at the track last term this gelding can make it fifth time lucky under Sean Levey.
At Ascot, Buckland (5.35) is a fascinating runner in the opening 2m Handicap and can shed the maiden tag at the track at the belated 8th attempt. Charlie Fellows' gelding chased home Retirement Plan over course and distance last year in the Shergar Cup and was far from disgraced finishing fourth, again over C&D, in October. He is a pound higher for those past exploits and with a run under his belt can get his head in front for the first time in over two years.
Entity (6.40) can make it second time lucky in the Fillies' Maiden over a mile and a quarter. The daughter of Shamardal hails from a family her trainer Sir Michael Stoute knows well, being a half-sister to Cheveley Park's star fillies Provenance and Integral. She wore a hood on her debut last term at Kempton so obviously comes with her quirks however was a well-backed favourite for her sole start as a juvenile and should prove to be much, much better in time.
Acolyte (2.30) can score on the all-weather at Lingfield after a pleasing reappearance last month at Windsor. The gelded son of Acclamation was unfortunate to run into one on the day and should be able to make amends from a pound higher mark under regular partner James Doyle.
Doyle can double-up aboard Ijmaaly (4.45) for his boss Saeed bin Suroor in the 7f Maiden. The well-bred son of Makfi cost 300,000 Guineas as a yearling and hails from the excellent family of Godolphin's G1-winning miler Poet's Voice. Providing he knows his job on his debut he can get the better of connections' Whistler Mountain and Richard Hannon's once-raced Fleeting Strike.
Market Rasen hosts an excellent midweek card, with the feature handicap chase over two and a half miles attracting 13 runners for a terrific £25,000 pot. Fergal O'Brien's Silver Roque would be a confident selection on good ground however with rain forecast preference is with Mountain King (2.50) for the pair of Philipp Hobbs and Richard Johnson. The selection came good at the belated fourth time of asking last time over the minimum trip at Perth and should remain competitive from a 7lb higher mark.
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