Chester May Festival Tips Day 2

Well, what a frustrating day that was. Black Orange ran a massive race and looked like the winner everywhere bar the line. Alluringly was a bit disappointing behind Enable and she will need to improve massively if she is to become a classic contender.

Mark Johnston usually does well at Chester. 

Taexali was very well backed but a tardy start cost him as he just failed to reel the winner in. Sir Chauvelin never saw daylight until it was too late, and judging by how he finished the race he would have gone close with more luck. Hopefully we get the rub of the green on day 2, and you can read my thoughts below.

Race 1

With a non runner already declared, there will be 7 runners in this race so it will be only the first two places for each way betting. However, I still think it may well be worth chancing one at a big price, and the outsider of the field Parish Boy could surprise with a big run. His last flat run for David Loughnane wasn’t totally devoid of promise at Wolves (8f) off 95 and he kept on pretty well to be beaten just over 5L at the finish despite being detached at the back as they turned in.

He boasted some extremely smart form back in Ireland when with Jim Bolger, beating Order of St George twice, including in a Listed race at Leopardstown (9f). This 5yo son of New Approach has had just 6 runs since that Listed win, and three of those came over timber. This will be his first flat run on turf for Loughnane, and he has his string in fine form. If those couple of hurdle runs have sweetened this fella up he could be dangerous off 93 and a small e/w interest is advised.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: PARISH BOY E/W @ 28/1

Race 2

Deauville is the selection and you can find out why I fancy him at Mybettingbonus.

Race 3

Mark Johnston had a couple run well here on Day 1, including a cracking effort from Yorkidding in the big one. He runs a couple in this race, and of the two Masham Star looks to be the one from a good draw in stall 2 and with Franny Norton in the saddle. This 3yo son of Lawman was quiet during a spell in Dubai earlier this season and he ran poorly on his return to domestic action at Newcastle.

That run came after a short break, so he is entitled to strip a lot fitter now. His mark of 100 is a slight worry, but his last win came off just 5lb lower and the way he won that day would suggest he is capable of getting involved off his current rating. This fella loves to make the running, and if he gets a good start from stall 2 he could be hard to peg back. At odds of 14/1 he looks to have a solid e/w chance.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: MASHAM STAR E/W @ 14/1 NAP

Race 4

Tamleek is the pick here and you can find out why I fancy him at Mybettingbonus.

Race 5

No strong fancy for this maiden.

Race 6

This 6f handicap looks a tricky puzzle to solve, but the one that appeals from an excellent draw is the Ed Dunlop trained Zamjar. This 3yo son of Exceed and Excel has been running mainly on all weather surfaces, but he has had three runs on turf and won once and placed once. His last run also came on the grass at Newbury, and he looked a non stayer over 7f.

He should be well suited by the drop back in trip here and he gets to race off a mark of 80, just 2lb above his last winning mark. He is versatile tactically, and hopefully he breaks well from stall 1 and manages to grab the rail. Andrea Atzeni has been booked, and he has 7 wins and 32 top 4 finishes from just 65 rides for Dunlop. Hopefully he enhances that fine record here, and Zamjar is our selection at odds of 6/1.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: ZAMJAR @ 6/1 NB

Race 7

There are few trainers in better form than David Griffiths at the moment, and he looks to have a good chance here with his 8yo son of Shamardal, Storm King. This 5 time winner last tasted success on the fibresand at Southwell back in March and he ran a cracker to be second there off a mark of 76 early last month. He makes his return to turf off a mark of 80, and that is 5lb below his last winning rating on grass.

He has run at Chester before, in a 7.5 handicap off a mark of 89 and he stayed on well for 4th, beaten just over 2L. He hasn’t been handed the best of draws in stall 8, so he will need to break well. If he does he looks weighted to run a big race and Griffiths has form figures of 437112 since the start of May. Storm King can be backed at odds of 10/1 and he is the each way suggestion in an open race.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: STORM KING E/W @ 10/1