Daryl Carter continues his focus on Chester’s May meeting, with four more selections from the world’s oldest operating racecourse. Check them out below.
[MAXIMAL] – (2.15 Chester, 1pt win – 4/1)
A good race but MAXIMAL took a big step forward on seasonal return behind the very useful Hurricane Lane at Newbury and that looks strong form with the fourth already a winner next time. He proved he had not only trained on, but has improved over the winter and he is a likeable type that can make up into a Group horse this season.
He has form lines that tie in with the favourite Yibir and Ontario takes a big step up in trip here so it’s Fox Tales, who left a deep impression on just his second racecourse start that is feared. Fox Tales is almost certainly a horse to keep on side this season but this is a big ask on just his third start on a racecourse and the experience of the selection could hold sway.
[Back MAXIMAL]
[AL MADHAR] – (3:45pm Chester, 1pt win – 8/1)
This is competitive on paper but few do need to be forgiven below-par efforts including AL MADHAR who had a disappointing season as a three-year-old and failed to build on his early promise as a two-year-old. He put that behind him on seasonal return when running up to a useful level at Thirsk and it’s highly surprising that the handicapper dropped him a further 2lbs to this mark of 89 despite running up to his best RPRS last term.
That was his first run after a gelding operation and his first for 230 days so he is entitled to improve for that outing in which he was only beaten 2 3/4 lengths by a couple of promising unexposed horses. None of these fall into that category and the drop in trip to 1m2f from 1m4f looks a good move so he is worth another chance with plenty falling right for him, but make no mistake this is last chance saloon for him, at least in my book.
*[Back AL MADHAR]
[SET POINT]) 4.45 Chester, 2pts win – 3/1)
SET POINT looks to have been given a chance by the handicapper off of this opening handicap mark of 87 on the balance of his three runs to date. He wasn’t seen to best effect at Sandown on debut when held up off a very slow pace when beaten six lengths by Maximal (2.15 tip) but ran away with a contest at Nottingham next time when holding the now 108 rated Adayar.
He was no match for Hurricane Lane and Maximal at Newbury but stayed on strongly in the closing stages to suggest a further step up in trip such as today’s would suit. The fourth from that race has since bolted up on handicap debut off a mark of 96 and every horse in the race including the two that finished well behind him are all rated higher. There will be a strong pace on offer here with the two Mark Johnston runners so this stamina test should really suit.
[Back SET POINT]
[ALPINE STROLL] – (4:45pm Chester, 0.5pt win – 20/1)
I will have a small cover bet on ALPINE STROLL who on the form has a mountain to climb but he also makes his handicap debut and this mark could underestimate him now faced with a softer surface and a longer trip. He has caught the eye in his last two races from off the pace and a strongly run 1m4 on good to soft ground looks to be his optimum and the market has written off his chances so is worth a small win only saver.
[Back ALPINE STROLL]
Daryl Carter’s Best Bets
[MAXIMAL] – (2.15 Chester, 1pt win – 4/1)
[AL MADHAR] – (3:45pm Chester, 1pt win – 8/1)
[SET POINT]4.45 Chester, 2pts win – 3/1)
[ALPINE STROLL] – (4:45pm Chester, 0.5pt win – 20/1)
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