Chester May Meeting SmartPlays: Wednesday May 7

The first contest under consideration is the Cheshire Oaks over a mile-and-a-half, and the one to keep on side is the promising Terrific. She won twice at the Curragh in August and shaped well on her return in a listed event at Navan. She was third behind stable companion Dazzling over ten furlongs and was never nearer than at the finish line, and she looks bound to improve for the step up in trip this afternoon. Cheekpieces were fitted for her seasonal reappearance but her two wins came in blinkers which have been refitted today and considering her trainer has taken this event three times since 2008, it would be no surprise to see the selection make it four. There are of course dangers, primarily in the form of Bright Approach who had the form of her debut win franked recently, but for today's purposes the Ballydoyle runner should prove very hard to beat. 

The next race under consideration is the Chester Cup, a staying handicap over an extended 18 furlongs (14:45) and Mubaraza looks to have an excellent chance to finally get his head in front after going close in several valuable staying handicaps last season. He was fourth in the Ascot Stakes and third in the Northumberland Plate amongst some other creditable performances, and was a narrow second on his return at Ripon last month. He is on 3 lb better terms with his conqueror that day Angel Gabrial, is well drawn and jockey Paul Hanagan is riding with plenty of confidence after a good spell amongst  the winners. All that would suggest that conditions are at an optimum for Ed Dunlop's likeable five-year-old to make a well overdue return to the winner's enclosure. 

The final bet of the day comes in the Stellar Group Handicap over five furlongs (15:15) and Caspian Prince, who looks in tremendous form of late, is primed for a big run. He's won three times on the polytrack this year since joining Tony Carroll and ran well under a penalty at Wolverhampton last time when third to Mappin Time, paying the price for racing with too much zest in the early stages. He looks an out-and-out sprinter and is not short of pace, and appeals as the type to be suited by the unique demands of the Roodee. He has a crucial inside draw and given his tendency to race prominently he looks primed to continue his excellent run of form at the expense of today's rivals, although course specialist Ballista merits respect given his fine record here. 

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Terrific @ 3.5551/20 in the 14:15 at Chester
Back Mubaraza @ 6.25/1 in the 14:45 at Chester
Back Caspian Prince @ 5.85/1 in the 15:15 at Chester