MARTIN’S GOLDEN BOY
THERE is an excellent card to start the threeday Chester May Festival meeting.
The centrepiece is the very competitive 188bet Chester Cup where the Tony Martin-trained GOLDEN SPEAR (3.35) should give a good account.
It would certainly be a boost for Martin, who lost his stable star Heartbreak City recently after sustaining an injury on the gallops.
The horse won last year’s Ebor and for good measure Martin also trained third, home, Quick Jack.
The last time Golden Spear was seen over here was in the Cesarewitch when finishing an excellent fifth to Sweet Selection.
He then landed the Irish November Handicap at Leopardstown when proving too strong for one of today’s rivals Nakeeta. He arrives here fit from hurdling and has the added bonus of being partnered by Ryan Moore.
Sea Of Heaven boasts some solid course form and, with the yard in form, should make his presence felt.
The best bet on the card is in the maiden where recent Kempton runner-up MECCABAH (4.35, nap) is entitled to improve.
That looked a good race for the track and, though she is up against the boys this time, the sex allowance she receives could prove crucial.
John Gosden’s yard is in cracking form and ENABLE (2.25) can be another for the Newmarket handler.
She won her maiden impressively on the all-weather at Newcastle and made an encouraging return at Newbury, finishing strongly and nearly snatching second behind stablemate, Shutter Speed.
The step up in trip should see her in a better light.
A low draw is crucial in the sprints at Chester and with that in mind YOGI’S GIRL (1.50) could be the answer in the Lily Agnes.
She stepped up on her Wolverhampton debut when starting brightly and making all to score at Windsor.
She showed a willingly attitude on that occasion and if she can grab the rail this afternoon, then she can repel all challengers.
SIR MAXIMILLAN (3.00) comes out of exactly the same trap in the other sprint on the card and can defy top weight.
He has a decent record at this venue, having raced here four times winning twice which included at this meeting last year.
He will not lack fitness having wintered in Dubai.