The final day of Chester’s May meeting takes place on Friday, with the feature race of the festival headlining the card in the Chester Cup. GG tipster Joe Napier believes the favourite can deliver in the big one, and also gives two more tips for you to follow.
3.05 Chester – Ladbrokes Chester Cup
It may not be original, but it should pay to keep things simple in the big race of the week as EAST INDIA DOCK should have plenty going for him returned to turf. He was almost the best of the bunch among the juvenile hurdlers over the jumps season just gone.
Third in the Triumph Hurdle when only losing the lead up the Cheltenham Hill, the four-year-old took to hurdling superbly. That could raise doubts as to whether it was his jumping which made him such a star this season, but he was still a fairly relentless galloper in that sphere, so should be able to transition fairly seamlessly back to flat racing.
He was also progressing on the level last term, winning over 2m at Goodwood before a close fourth at Doncaster over 1m6f. That hinted he will stay further on the flat, so he should get this trip, while he is drawn well in stall 6 too. As long as starting stalls do not fluster him returning from the jumps, he should be able to race prominently and gallop on to victory.
4.10 Chester – Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap
Another favourite could well land another handicap later on the card as SPORTINGSILVERMINE is another for James Owen who could prove too progressive for his rivals. He is in the best form of those in the field and could easily improve again.
The Holy Roman Emperor gelding ran up to a decent level when trained in Ireland by Denis Gerard Hogan, but never managed to win in 18 starts. It has been a different story for Owen, who he has won two from two for, including a success which was potentially cosier than the winning margin at Musselburgh last time out.
He is up another 6lb, but his draw in stall 4 should allow him to race prominently, and up-and-coming apprentice Mason Paetel takes off a very handy 7lb in this company of jockeys. His claims of a third straight victory are strong.
4.45 Chester – Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Chester Plate Handicap
The reserve race for the Cup, this could be up for grabs for an outsider, as ZEALANDIA has elements of form which appeal greatly at the prices. The eight-year-old is not in great form, but there could easily be excuses.
The selection has a runner-up effort at Chester in the past, but was poorly drawn for both races at the track last season. The first of those was in the Chester Cup, having achieved a high enough rating to run in that contest, while soft ground may not have aided him on the latter run in September.
His one run last season on good ground was promising enough at Ascot, while he has been racing against far more accomplished all-weather opponents on artificial surfaces of late. His mark has sunk to 80, which is tempting and 8lb below his last winning rating. With a better draw this time, and Joe Fanning aboard, who has a great recent record at Chester, he could go well.
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