Three days of fantastic flat racing are in store at Chester this midweek as they host their Boodles May Festival from Wednesday through until Friday.
Day one features the traditional curtain-raiser of the Lily Agnes Stakes, before the Chester Vase and Cheshire Oaks serve up some fantastic on-track action on the hallowed Roodee turf.
Watch all the action from Chester (1.45pm-4.45pm, seven races) via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and check out our tipster’s predictions for all of the Wednesday action.
1.45 – ICM Stellar Sports Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes (5f)
A speed-dash for the Chester opener and one in which the likes of Devious Angel and Beauzon need lots of respecting after impressive all-the-way wins recently. They are drawn to attack again here, something that can prove so vital on the Roodee. So, too, is LUCY LULU for Roger Fell. The Muhaarar filly won at Doncaster on debut over the weekend despite being easy to back and she did so having travelled stylishly. There’s a good chance of a step forward, even if she’s got something to find on the clock with another Town Moor winner, Armor, to bag this.
Selection: Lucy Lulu @ 12/1
2.15 – Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks (Fillies’ Listed, 1m3f)
The unbeaten Zeyaadah progressed nicely in three wins last term, but she showed a tendency to break slowly and that could be fatal from the get-go around this idiosyncratic layout. For that reason, the price looks short. Darlectable You and Fillies’ Mile fourth Dubai Fountain are probable improvers from much-respected yard, while Ryan Moore’s presence on Nicest is noted. He leaves an opportunity for Oisin Murphy to ride LA JOCONDE instead for Ballydoyle and she’s a filly that can improve upped in trip/class here at an each-way price.
Selection: La Jonconde @ 10/1
2.45 – tote+ At tote.co.uk Handicap (5f)
Imperial Force has been handed a stiff-enough opening handicap mark and will need to improve to defy it. Showalong and Harmony Lil have their chances but ARMY OF INDIA ran well from the front at Doncaster on seasonal bow recently before finishing third off this mark. Franny Norton’s mount could see similar tactics paying off here.
Selection: Army Of India @ 4/1
3.15 – Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f)
Sandhurst found things happening too quickly in the Craven on his return to action but does have the look of one that will improve for this longer trip. He needs respecting for top connections. The improving Law Of The Sea also fits that bill but WIRKO’s recent Epsom Listed win was a solid rehearsal for this test. The Kingman colt is likely going the right way now and can add this prize.
Selection: Wirko @ 15/8
Official Going Update for @Boodles May Festival 5 – 7 May
Going: GOOD TO SOFT
26mm of rain over the past 24 hours.
Forecast: Tue – Further showers (5mm) and strong winds. Wed, Thu and Fri – Unsettled, feeling cool with the odd sunny spell. #ChesterRaces
— chesterraces (@ChesterRaces) May 4, 2021
3.45 – tote+ Pays You More At tote.co.uk Handicap (6f)
Uncle Jumbo didn’t get much luck in running at Pontefract last month on seasonal return and ought to have a major chance if getting an even share of luck now. Good Listener was a soft-ground Windsor winner in October on second start and should be sharp having finished second at Wolverhampton recently on his return, but a chance is taken that the returning TANFANTIC will have a leading day. He won 2-4 starts last year (both defeats in Listed company) and is interesting now moving into handicaps.
Selection: Tanfantic @ 6/1
4.15 – Boodles Maiden Stakes (1m2f)
Some expensive colts appearing here, with both KINGSOFTHEMIDLANDS and Alfaadhel fitting the bill. The former shaped promisingly on debut at Newmarket last month, despite some greenness. He can build on that now for Andrew Balding. The second-named joins Immelman on the shortlist, while Missile and Keeper are two that could improve.
Selection: Kingofthemidlands @ SP
4.45 – Deepbridge Estate Planning Service Handicap (7f)
Chester’s opening day finale is wide open. The veteran Sir Maximillian has an admirable record around this place (four wins) and likely can go well again, but preference is for NATIONAL LEAGUE. He won here as a two-year-old, his only visit, and had posted two very good runs at Newcastle and Redcar prior to being held in a Class 2 Newbury handicap last month. He’s on a fair mark of this class-drop and will handle track and conditions.
Selection: National League @ SP
*All odds correct at time of writing