Chester Serves Up a Proper Feast
Well now, what a card we had at the Roodee today! When you see Cheltenham hosting the flat racing instead of the jumps, you know we're in for something special. And by Jaysus, they didn't disappoint with this quality offering that had more stars than a clear night in County Cork.
The going was riding a treat on Good to Good to Soft in places - perfect conditions for the speedsters and stayers alike. You could see the horses moving through their races with that lovely fluency that tells you the ground is spot on. No excuses today, lads.
Benvenuto Cellini Shows His Class
The headline act was always going to be the Boodles Chester Vase, and what a Group 3 contest it shaped up to be. Benvenuto Cellini, carrying that hefty 112 rating, looked the business with Ryan Moore doing the steering. This Godolphin colt has been knocking on the door of proper class, and today felt like his moment to kick it down.
Del Maro brought solid form to the table with a 101 rating, and you can never write off anything William Buick climbs aboard. But the way Benvenuto Cellini has been progressing through his races, there's a Derby horse lurking in there somewhere. Mark my words - we'll be seeing this lad at Epsom before the summer's out.
Mr Colonel at 97 was interesting at a price, especially with the way his trainer has been hitting them lately. Shane Gray doesn't get the big rides by accident, and this one looked like it could outrun his odds if the pace fell right.
The Cheshire Oaks Provides Intrigue
The fillies' Listed contest was a proper puzzle, and I love a good head-scratcher. Sugar Island topped the ratings at 106 with Billy Lordan in the saddle - that's a combination that's been flying under the radar but catching my eye recently.
But here's where it gets interesting - Amelia Earhart with Ryan Moore aboard at 99 looked like the value play of the day. When Moore takes a ride like this, especially one that's rated a touch below the favourite, you sit up and take notice. This filly has been improving with every run, and the step up in trip looked right up her street.
I'm The One and Winged One both came without ratings, which always makes them dangerous. Oisin Murphy picking up the ride on Winged One tells you everything you need to know about the stable's confidence.
Handicap Highlights and Ones to Follow
The Earl Grosvenor Handicap was a proper cavalry charge with 14 runners, and Al Shabab Storm at the top of the weights with 103 looked like he'd have his work cut out. But Jason Watson's been riding with serious confidence lately, and this horse has that turn of foot that can unlock any handicap.
Snow Master for Oisin Murphy looked the each-way steal at 100. This horse has been running some cracking races without getting his head in front, and the way he's been finishing his races suggests the penny's about to drop. One for the notebook, definitely.
Thunder Roar at 98 with David Nolan caught my fancy too. This lad's been running consistent races and looked ready to take a step forward. Sometimes it's the horses that keep knocking on the door that eventually burst through it.
In the American Holidays Handicap, Temple of Athena looked well-handicapped off 89. Ben Robinson's been riding some lovely races lately, and this mare has the profile of one that could go through the grades if connections are patient.
Looking Ahead - Where Next?
The quality on show today at Chester suggests we've got some serious ammunition for the big summer festivals. Benvenuto Cellini is surely Epsom-bound if he performed as expected, while the Cheshire Oaks winner will be eyeing up the Oaks itself.
Keep a close eye on anything that ran well today but didn't quite get there. The handicappers will have taken note, but sometimes the ratings don't tell the full story of a horse's improvement. Snow Master and Thunder Roar are two I'll be following wherever they pop up next.
The maiden stakes threw up some interesting newcomers too, with Arabian Desert carrying a 99 rating suggesting big things are expected. When they give a maiden that kind of mark, you know there's serious ability there.
All in all, a cracking day's racing that reminded us why Chester in May is one of the highlights of the flat calendar. Quality from top to bottom, and enough pointers for the weeks ahead to keep us busy. Now, who's buying the next round?
