13:50 Chester Sir Michael Stoute’s El Hayem has obvious claims here based on his decisive victory last term over Burguillos, who subsequently bolted up at Leicester on Monday. The four-year-old had an excellent sixth place on his seasonal reappearance in the Spring Cup at Newbury, which should have him spot on for this and he looks well drawn and poised to attack. Dr Marwan Koukash owned pair Rene Mathis and Gabrial’s Kaka are equally well drawn and have the course form to make them the biggest dangers to the selection. EL HAYEM (WIN)
14:25 Chester The potent combination of Aiden O’Brien and Ryan Moore team up once again here with the highly anticipated return of their exciting three-year-old colt Cliffs of Moher. The horse thrashed stablemate and leading Derby contender Orderofthegarter by some five and a half lengths and he looks the clear pick here to cement his own Derby credentials here with victory in this listed contest over 1m2f. Sir Michael Stoute looks to be the main rival standing in opposition to the Irish Raiders with his unbeaten Frankel colt, Mirage Dancer, who is most likely to pounce should the selection fail to fire. CLIFFS OF MOHER (WIN) – NAP
15:00 Chester This Class 2 handicap sprint over 5f looks to be a really competitive renewal. Alan Bailey always does well his runners at the track and his filly Rosabelle is well drawn to produce another big run if fully wound up on her seasonal reappearance. She was progressive last term, won over course and distance and is definitely a player, but a chance is instead taken on another course and distance winner. Tim Easterby’s yard have started the new season well and rider David Allan is near the top of the jockey title race after a red hot start to his campaign also. They saddle Copper Knight here, who looks to build on his runner up at Ripon on seasonal reappearance, and that form looks solid with the front two pulling clear of the remainder. That run will have him spot on here and he gets the nod at a massive each way price from a plum draw. COPPER KNIGHT (E/W)
15:35 Chester The Group 3 Ormond Stakes over 1m5f looks a really competitive renewal this year with a number of live contenders from the top yards in both the UK and Ireland taking part. Aiden O’Brien sends one time Derby contender US Ranger back to the scene of his victory in last year’s Chester Vase in the hope of resurrecting his ailing career, but he has more doubts than positives despite his course form. Hugo Palmer’s Wall of Fire only just failed to land a listed contest when staying on right to the line over 1m6f at Nottingham last time out, but the drop in trip doesn’t seem to be obviously in his favour. A chance is instead taken on Ed Dunlop’s course winner Red Verdon. That course success came over one furlong shorter in handicap company last term, but he now boasts some eye-catching form in the bag with his runner up in Group 1 company in France when last seen where he had Andre Fabre’s Cloth of Stars behind. That rival has come out and won impressively twice already this term and with the booking of the excellent Pat Smullen to do the steering, he gets the nod at an attractive each way price. RED VERDON (E/W)
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