TV TIPS (THURSDAY)

13:30 Chester

The draw usually plays a significant part in this and you would have to go back over twenty year's for the winner to be drawn any higher than stall seven. With that in mind, Sunday Sovereign appeals as a likely player from stall five and he is only one pound above the mark he won off over the course and distance last season. Rather inconsistent, one couldn't be overly confident but the recent rain is certainly in his favour and the Easterby team have been amongst the winners.

Look Out Louis arrives in terrific form and he looks like he is still improving, despite being six years of age. Usually quickly away from the stalls, he looks a serious threat over a course he has scored at before and a terrific amount of respect is afforded despite the fact this mark has proved beyond him before.

Alligator Alley had some smart form when trained in Ireland, his third on debut for David O'Meara at Wolverhampton was very promising and he is entitled to come on for that. Drawn in six today and off an appealing mark, he is hard to ignore though the rain is a concern.

Militia has the plumb draw in stall one and has been known to blast out and make all before, another proven at the course and in fair form, a big run could be on the cards but his mark is high enough. Night On Earth and Mokaatil have plenty of form to be considered but a chance will be taken on Sunday Sovereign improving for his recent spin at Musselburgh and making the frame at least.

SUNDAY SOVEREIGN (E/W)

written by Chris Connolly

13:50 Worcester

Alberic has been in good form of late. He is creeping up the weights however and there’s a couple in here that potentially could be ahead of him.

Despite this being a handicap chase, there’s a couple in here making their fencing debuts, and they are certainly the most interesting.

Planned Paradise is the first of the duo. He has some decent hurdles form to his name, and if this six year old takes to chasing, he’s open to plenty of improvement.

The vote goes to the other chasing debutante, Gallow Ford. He has the benefit of pointing under his belt, and his hurdling efforts have been more than respectable. He is easily the most interesting runner in this line up, and is therefore a confident selection to get of the mark over fences at the first time of asking.

GALLOW FORD (WIN)

written by Matt Polley

14:05 Chester

Yesterday’s man of the moment was Ryan Moore and he returns to the Roodee on Kubler’s Outgate. This colt has the plum draw in stall one but the draw might be wasted on this hold up performer, but he does have strong form claims all the same. Ryan rode My Little Tip the last day but he appears to have jumped ship and also being drawn in stall eight should do for My Little Tip’s chances.

Franny Norton is the undisputed king of Chester and I will side with his mount Value Theory as a great each-way play after she was given a nice introduction for the season up at Musselburgh on Easter Saturday. She should come on for that effort and given her third in the Pretty Polly last August she would appear to be on a good mark of 95.

VALUE THEORY (E/W)

written by Michael Taylor

14:40 Chester

Just the six go to post for this potential Epsom Derby trial and the clearcut favourite is the Ballydoyle trained Star Of India. He returned to action where he finished second to last in the Craven. It’s certainly a marked step down in level of opposition for Aidan O’Brien’s charge and looks the classiest horse on paper. I’m just not completely sure how to judge his most recent performance and also have question marks over whether or not he has a desire for this longer trip.

Of the remainder both Cresta and Sonny Liston renew their rivalries after finishing 4th and 5th in the same race last time out and it’ll be hard to split the duo once again.

Mr McCann makes his seasonal reappearance and you have to wonder if he’ll be fit for this contest even though the Hugo Palmer team bagged a winner here last time he may need the run to get back to his best.

Despite being the rank outsider Harrow has been an ultra-consistent horses throughout his career and with the Andrew Balding team flying of late he may well outrun his current odds.

Aside from the favourite the one I feel has the best chance is Dubai Poet. A close second behind a subsequent 2,000 Guineas runner looks decent form as does the third behind Coroebus last season. He’ll come on leaps and bounds for his run at Newcastle and looks markedly overpriced at around 13/2.

Never the less I’m siding with a yard who’ve farmed this race in recent memory and a much better performance should be expected from Star Of India if he appreciates today’s trip. With Roger Varian’s runner the most likely to chase him home.

STAR OF INDIA (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock

15:10 Chester

A few familiar faces from the flat scene line up in the Ormonde stakes today £62,000 awaits the winner.

Believe In Love could be a the main danger if ready to go on his reappearance this season. A highlight of last season was finishing 2nd in a strong race group 1 at Longchamp. If in similar form would have a strong chance.

Alounak is another with solid form however has only won one in 15 races with Andrew Balding yard which suggest he is tricky to win with. I Think Balding other horse in this race Invite has more of a chance at a bigger each way price. John Leeper looks a big price as well but the former Epsom derby runner last year has or seems to gone backwards since then even though he is bred to be talented.

Hamish is the only horse in this race to have won at the distance so has to be considered as one of the main contenders.

My fancy though is the current favourite Albaflora. She has won from fresh in previous years and her form was solid last season and she finished behind decent mares such as Wonderful Tonight & Snowfall in separate races. Ran with credit plenty of times. She was also very close in her last race of the season at champions day to winning a Group 1.

I don't think this is the strongest race she has been in recently and though I'm not a massive fan of backing short price favourites her record fresh encourages me and I just feel sooner rather than later she will be back in the winner's enclosure

ALBAFLORA (WIN)

written by Luke Tucker

15:40 Chester

Enfranchise has been progressive over the winter and has a decent record over this distance. The Johnson’s normally have a good record around Chester, so she has to be given some consideration. She was unlucky not to win at Brighton, last time out, and will find the softer ground more beneficial. She might have a little to find but she’s not out of a chance.

Society Red has only ever ran over course and distance once but returned to the winners enclosure, after a cosy victory. He’s won a few times since, most notably three out of his last five races. He wasn’t at his best at Newcastle, last time out, and reverting back to turf could be a question mark. He does have a few boxes ticked but he may just be left watched today.

Pride Of Priory finished last season in style, winning his last two races over a mile and two furlongs. He won a match race at Haydock in striking fashion and has been handed an advantageous draw for today’s contest. He’s been raised by six pounds for his efforts but he has potential to defy that. Tom Marquand is in fine form, as is William Haggas who boasts a 28% strike rate here. He ticks every box and could be taken to defy his long layoff.

PRIDE OF PRIORY (WIN)

written by Kieran McHugh