Falcon set to swoop and prove class in cup

Falcon Eight can make his classtellanddefytopweightin the tote+ Chester Cup Handicap tomorrow, the highlight on the final day of the May Festival on the Roodee.

The six-year-old is a fascinating runner for Dermot Weld as he enjoys a first foray into handicap company, having been campaigned up to Group One level in previous seasons.

Falcon Eight did not hit the track until the July of his three-year-old season, but he looked a potential star in winning his first two starts before making a decent fist of it when third on his first outing at Group Three level.

It has been a bit of an up-and-down story since, though, with a Listed win at Sandown in July 2019 the highlight of some fairly highprofile challenges, but Weld has yet to get a really good run with him – and this will be just his 10th career outing.

Falcon Eight is having his first run in the best part of a year, which is obviously not ideal, but Weld clearly thinks the Galileo gelding is fit for the task – and given his fair fifth when enduring a troubled run in the Prix du Cadran a couple of years ago, the trip holds no fears. The booking of Frankie Dettori also takes the eye.

Armory was last seen posting a sterling effort in Australia back in October – and he can make a successful European return in the Melodi Media Huxley Stakes.

Beaten a length and a quarter by former stablemate Sir Dragonet in the Cox Plate, Armory had previously finished a fair third in the Irish Champion Stakes, beaten just two lengths by Magical as he kept on at the finish.

The Galileo colt is clearly a progressive individual, and trainer Aidan O’Brien has plenty of Group One options for him – so this appears a fine starting point, with a good chunk in hand of his rivals on the official ratings.

El Astronaute is an obvious candidate in the Boodles Conditions Stakes.

He endured mixed fortunes last term, but a return to anywhere near the form that saw him Group One placed in 2019 would be more than good enough here.

One-time Classic runner Kenzai Warrior completely lost his way last season, but certainly appeals as an eachway proposition at least in the tote+ Placepots Pay More Earl

Grosvenor Handicap.

A Group Three winner at two, his 2000 Guineas run was over as soon as he fluffed the start – and it was downhill from there, with a couple of Group race defeats followed by a disappointing handicap bow at the backend of the year when he was far too keen before dropping away at the finish. Gelded over the winter,

Kenzai Warrior has edged down the weights a little and could still have plenty to give on just his seventh outing.