
Chester Betting: Suggested bets for every race on the final day of the May Meeting
Graham Cunningham rounds up three days of top tipping with his last preview
1.45 Warwick International Handicap
This looks bound to be run at a furious gallop, as topweight Celtic Sultan and bang-in-form Russki both love to get on with things right from the off. Their presence and the fact that the cutaway rail will be in operation swinging for home might just help the holdup horses come to the fore and Dhaular Dhar should be in his element.
Granted, Jim Goldie's gelding hasn't cut much ice in two runs this spring, but he's well treated again now and his record on this course and in this race warrants the closest inspection. He looks well worth a win and place interest to get the ball rolling, while Extraterrestrial appeals as the one for a saver given that he travelled very powerfully indeed prior to getting the better of a tussle with Regal Parade in last Saturday's Thirsk Hunt Cup.
Suggestion: Back Dhaular Dhar win and place and save on Extraterrestrial
2.15 Dee Stakes
Kris Kin took this on his way to Derby glory back in 2003, but it's hard to see a colt of similar calibre emerging from this renewal.
On form the most likely winner is Alexandros, but Godolphin had a poor Guineas weekend and it's hard to know what to expect from this former Andre Fabre colt on a course that his stable usually steer clear of.
Aidan O'Brien's Achill Island is expected to be much sharper for his French reappearance and will need to be given how he faded there, while Unnefer attempts to build on his gutsy win in a Newbury conditions event.
Tajaweed failed to sparkle in the Racing Post Trophy but is plainly held in some regard by Kris Kin's handler Sir Michael Stoute, but all in all this looks fraught with danger.
Suggestion: Tread warily
2.45 Ormonde Stakes
Once again punters face a dilemma in assessing how much one of Aidan O'Brien's horses has come on for a run. Macarthur is the horse in question. He didn't show a lot first time out, but he was so progressive in the second half of last season that I'm happy just to leave him alone.
By contrast, I suspect I will find it hard to resist the temptation to lay Raincoat given that he was well behind Macarthur in Lucarno's St Leger and made very hard work of winning a relatively ordinary conditions race at Ripon last month.
Tempelstern had Red Gala and Bauer behind him at Newbury on his reappearance, but he's no good thing to confirm that form on much faster ground. The fact that Bauer has an impressive course win on his record plainly counts in his favour, while Steppe Dancer ran well in this race last year and appeals as the sort to go well at a decent price again this time around despite his 3lb penalty.
Suggestion: Lay Raincoat
3.15 Hawker Beechcraft Handicap
This has all the appearance of a real burnup, with a clutch of very speedy horses set to go at it right from the off. Whether they will go fast enough to allow yesterday's winner Not My Choice in with a serious chance from wide out in stall 10 remains to be seen, but the two horses who could shine here are Chartist and Befortyfour.
I must admit that I still harbour slight doubts as to just how straightforward Chartist is - as he does carry his head a shade higher than ideal - but his high cruising speed looks made for Chester and stall 3 hardly looks a knock to his chance.
Michael Jarvis failed to strike with the gambled-on Royalist yesterday, but Befortyfour looks to have plenty in his favour. First, Jarvis landed this race in 2006 with the speedy Empress Jain. Second, Befortyfour is unexposed and clocked a good time when trouncing second raters at Lingfield. And third, the canny Jarvis has seen fit to give Befortyfour an entry in the Temple Stakes. In short, he looks a very interesting sprinter who could rate much higher than his current perch of 90 before the season is much older.
Suggestion: Back Befortyfour and save on Chartist
4.00 Cheshire Regiment Maiden
Little to choose between a clutch of unexposed fillies from big yards, but I suspect that several of them are nothing out of the ordinary. Walter Swinburn's Erlydors has travelled very sweetly in both her starts on the all weather and may well trade fairly short at some point, but will she prove vulnerable late?
I suspect she will, while Amylee boasts the highest official rating in the field yet didn't produce a great response when things got tough at Doncaster.
Miss Brown To You, Portodora and Gulf Stream Lady all showed up well in the same maiden at Newmarket's Craven meeting. It might not be wise to assume the order will be confirmed on this much different track, while Deira Dubai is nothing special but represents a trainer who has won this race four times in the last decade.
In summary, this is close to being one for the too difficult tray. Paddock inspection will help nearer the off but, for the moment, I suspect a small lay of Miss Brown To You might be a fair option.
Suggestion: Lay Miss Brown To You
4.35, Manor House Stables Handicap
Take your pick between any number of grizzled handicappers including a couple with fine Chester records. Lucayan Dancer and Stretton both fall into the latter category, while Bajan Parkes is very able on his day and has been primed with this in mind according to his colourful owner.
Stellino looks an eyecatching runner for Nicky Henderson. He failed to fire over jumps at Punchestown but is well worth noting in the market, while the unexposed Man Of Gwent is still held in high regard by David Evans and has almost certainly had this high on his agenda after enduring a rough trip behind Double Banded at Nottingham last time.
Suggestion: Too tough
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Events calendar
15/05/2008 | Cricket
Eng v NZ 1st Test - Lords
25/05/2008 | Formula One
Monaco - GP
26/05/2008 | Tennis
French Open (Paris)




