The final day of Chester’s May festival takes place on Friday, as Matty Sutcliffe looks for some last-minute value with his best Chester day three value punts.
1:30 Chester – CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Cracking Gold 14/1 0.5pt EW 4 places
Something looked amiss with CRACKING GOLD in the all-weather championship mile last time out when weakening under pressure, and if he can overcome that poor effort then he’s potentially overpriced on this return to turf given his record on the all-weather this winter read 321. He bumped into Symbol Of Light when returning from a break in February who franked that form next time out now rated 11lbs higher, and once having his wind done, returned to the winners enclosure with a comfortable two length success off top-weight.
He’s evidently not all that straight forward, as even after being gelded, he’s had cheek-pieces equipped and a tongue tie added two starts after his wind operation. But that said, his form over seven furlongs reads 1124 and his sole start over this trip on turf saw him beaten two lengths by Run Boy Run when not particularly handling Newmarket, with the winner now rated 14lbs higher.
The form of his Esher Cup fourth has always worked out very well, with the winner rated 14lbs higher after winning the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot and the third’s now rated 22lbs higher with his subsequent form reading 232 in group contests.
There’s not many well handicapped in here and there’s a few likely to have bigger targets down the line, whereas a mark of 93 doesn’t look beyond Cracking Gold particularly on the balance of his three year old form and given his best effort arguably came when bolting up five lengths at Lingfield, the sharp nature of Chester should suit if getting a good early position from stall for the in form Clive Cox yard, who had a winner here with Redorange.
3:05 Chester – Ladbrokes Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Gbbplus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Divine Comedy 12/1 1pt EW 5 places
DIVINE COMEDY has progressed in abundance since being switched to Harry Eustace, rising from a mark of 67 to 102 last season. Her efforts toward the back end of the season can perhaps be discounted given she’d had a tough race in the Ascot Stakes at the Royal meeting, but she’s returned this year in excellent form with a short head second in listed company at Nottingham to one rated 11lbs superior, and she matched that effort when a two tenth second in the Sagaro stakes a week ago, with the 12lbs superior rated Coltrane a length in front.
She’s proven her stamina for this trip, and her record in May since going handicapping reads 1111, including bolting up a combined twenty one lengths in five days so this nine-day turnaround shouldn’t be an issue.
3:40 Chester – Precision Facades Handicap (GBBPus Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-105) – Let’s Dream 16/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
If there’s anything that could be thrown in here it’s the bottom weight LET’S DREAM, who’s effectively running off a mark of 76 with Warren Fentiman’s claim.
The son of Territories was a touch disappointing as a three year old last season, but he put up a fair performance at Nottingham on his last start of the season to be beaten three lengths from a a 173-day layoff, suggesting he still retains some of his two-year-old ability.
He made his debut in Newmarket Maiden when beaten five length into fifth behind Macduff who later finished a two length fourth in the Royal Lodge, and he went on to beaten Align The Stars at Goodwood who peaked at 102 the following season. His half a length second to Go Daddy reads well given that ones now rated 105, so if he can return to that form then he potentially has upwards of 15lbs in hand.
Michael Bell has made an excellent start to the season with twenty of his seventy one runners since January returning to the winners enclosure, and his record at Chester within the last five seasons reads 28-6-13 (£11.00+).
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