Chester
Tomorrow, May 9, 2025FlatClass 22m2f
Verdict
Verdict
CABALLO DE MAR did admittedly enjoy the run of the race from the front when extending his winning sequence to 5 at Southwell recently but he scored with any amount in hand and looks well treated under a 3 lb penalty. East India Dock's hurdle exploits since joining James Owen suggest he could have more to come back on the Flat and he's feared most ahead of Hot Fuss and last year's winner Zoffee. The very much unexposed Leinster completes the shortlist.
Caballo De Mar
East India Dock
Hot Fuss
2m2f Hcap
2m2f Hcap
Each Way terms: 1/4 odds for first 4 places
12. LeinsterJ: Ryan MooreT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, IrelandF: 8/13-1- Price History:
- 5.50
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 91
- Days Since Last Run:
- 41
VerdictLightly-raced sort who improved again to win 18-runner handicap at the Curragh (1½m, soft) on reappearance 6 weeks ago, cosily. Stamina an unknown taking a significant step up in trip but there could be plenty more to come after only 4 starts.- 13. East India DockJ: Harry DaviesT: James OwenF: 21204314-
- Price History:
- 5.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-8
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 89
- Days Since Last Run:
- 56
VerdictProgressed into a useful handicapper at up to 2m for James Fanshawe last year and has done even better in juvenile hurdles for James Owen since, winning a pair of Grade 2s and length third in Triumph. Very interesting back on the Flat in refitted with the cheekpieces. 
5. Whos GlenJ: Oisin MurphyT: Andrew BaldingF: 2334215-2- Price History:
- 5.50
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-12
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 93
- Days Since Last Run:
- 41
VerdictRelished the increase in trip/heavy ground when running out an emphatic winner of 6-runner course handicap (14.5f) last autumn. Bettered that form when second on 2m Kempton reappearance and there could be even more to come from this unexposed 4-y-o.- 14. Caballo De MarJ: Callum ShepherdT: George ScottF: 34211-111
- Price History:
- 7.50
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-7
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 88
- Days Since Last Run:
- 12
VerdictBig improver since stepped up in trip, making it 5 in a row when scoring readily by 4 lengths at Southwell (2m) 12 days ago, with a couple of today's rivals behind. Looks well treated under a 3 lb penalty. - 7. Hot FussJ: Pierre-Louis JaminT: Tom DascombeF: 4497233-1
- Price History:
- 9.50
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-12
- Gear:
- visor
- Official Rating:
- 93
- Days Since Last Run:
- 59
VerdictTook well to hurdling, winning a Sandown juvenile and also an excellent front-running fourth in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival. Prior to Cheltenham he also won a 2m AW Flat handicap at Southwell. Unexposed as a stayer on the level. 
8. ZoffeeJ: Joe LeavyT: Hugo PalmerF: 80/100940-- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 8-11
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 91
- Days Since Last Run:
- 222
VerdictWon this race on his 2024 reappearance (also close second in 2023). Found life tougher later in the season but returns off only 1 lb above the mark he defied 12 months ago. Has to enter the reckoning.
3. Divine ComedyJ: Kaiya FraserT: Harry EustaceF: 312580-23- Price History:
- -
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 9-7
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 101
- Days Since Last Run:
- 9
VerdictVery progressive handicapper in the past 2 seasons, winning 4 times. Creditable efforts at listed and Group 3 level this season and should be competitive back in a handicap.
11. EmiynJ: Zak WheatleyT: Declan CarrollF: 20/02360-6- Price History:
- 17.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 20
VerdictFront-runner with a good Chester record, including second to Zoffee in this last year. Warmed up for another tilt at this with a respectable sixth at Musselburgh last month, although he did once again miss the break, a tendency which would likely prove costly here.
10. Spirit MixerJ: Rob HornbyT: Andrew BaldingF: 7548110-5- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 28
VerdictRunner-up in the 2022 Northumberland Plate and back to form with a pair of 2m Chester wins at the end of last summer. Respectable fourth on 2m Newbury reappearance and should be spot on with that behind him.
4. Duke Of OxfordJ: Tom MarquandT: Michael BellF: 038311-43- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 9-2
- Gear:
- tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 96
- Days Since Last Run:
- 12
VerdictReliable stayer on AW, including good in-frame efforts at Newcastle and Southwell (4½ lengths third to Caballo De Mar) last month. However, he's been well beaten in his 3 turf starts, including this race last year.
2. Dawn RisingJ: Ray DawsonT: Joseph Patrick O'Brien, IrelandF: 3/753561-6- Price History:
- 15.00
- Age:
- 8
- Weight:
- 9-9
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 103
- Days Since Last Run:
- 47
VerdictWon the Queen Alexandra at 2023 Royal Ascot and also bagged a 2m Curragh Group 3 last autumn. Should be sharper for a reappearance run over an inadequate 10.5f at Naas in March. Draw not ideal.
6. Charging ThunderJ: David ProbertT: James OwenF: 44431-125- Price History:
- 21.00
- Age:
- 7
- Weight:
- 8-12
- Gear:
- visor
- Official Rating:
- 92
- Days Since Last Run:
- 12
VerdictYet another success story for James Owen, winning 5 times since joining the yard last autumn. Went close on turf at Newbury (2m, good) last month and shaped as if still in form when 4¾ lengths fifth to Caballo De Mar at Southwell 12 days ago. Second-time visor replaces his usual cheekpieces.
1. ChemistryJ: George WoodT: Ivan FurtadoF: 3/1120-- Price History:
- 34.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 9-10
- Gear:
- visor
- Official Rating:
- 105
- Days Since Last Run:
- 208
VerdictQuickly developed into a pretty smart stayer for Aidan O'Brien last year, including a listed win, but disappointed in a 2m Naas handicap in the autumn, after which he changed hands for 30,000 gns. The blinkers he wore for previous connections are replaced by a first-time visor.
15. Morning AirJ: Joe FanningT: Venetia WilliamsF: 631/442-- Price History:
- 34.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-3
- Gear:
- -
- Official Rating:
- 84
- Days Since Last Run:
- 64
VerdictFairly useful on the Flat in France. Made a winning start over hurdles for new stable at Leicester in December. Hasn't built on that in 2 subsequent outings over timber but dangerous to discount back on the Flat given her stable's good record in the Plate later on this card.
16. Bashful BoyJ: Aiden BrookesT: David PipeF: 121154/59-- Price History:
- 34.00
- Age:
- 9
- Weight:
- 8-2
- Gear:
- cheekpieces
- Official Rating:
- 82
- Days Since Last Run:
- 186
VerdictFourth in the 2023 Cesarewitch at Newmarket but his losing run goes back nearly 2 years and bit of a surprise were he to snap it in a race as competitive as this back from 6 months off.
9. Vaguely RoyalJ: Connor BeasleyT: Anthony CharltonF: 1/535250-3- Price History:
- 51.00
- Age:
- 5
- Weight:
- 8-10
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 90
- Days Since Last Run:
- 30
VerdictQuite useful on the Flat for the Gosden stable last year but only fair form over hurdles for this yard, despite winning a Wincanton maiden last autumn. Beaten just under 9 lengths when last of 3 on AW Flat in March. A first-time tongue tie (added to cheekpieces) will need to spark improvement.- Unnamed Favourite
- Unnamed 2nd Favourite
Non-Runners
17. Liam SwaggerJ: Non RunnerT: James OwenF: 33252-136- Price History:
- 26.00
- Age:
- 4
- Weight:
- 8-2
- Gear:
- cheekpieces and tongue strap
- Official Rating:
- 83
- Days Since Last Run:
- 5