Passenger can enjoy triumphant Festival ride

Passenger can state his Betfred Derby case with victory in the Boodles Dee Stakes on day two of Chester’s May Festival.

Sir Michael Stoute has taken the bold step of moving straight to Listed company with this son of Ulysses following an impressive debut win in last month’s Wood Ditton at Newmarket.

He sat handy that day over a mile before picking up in style, prevailing by three lengths with only the minimum of encouragement and looking as though he will stay further.

Stoute duly moves up to an extended 10 furlongs for this test.

Passenger is not entered for the Derby at this stage, but a win here could see connections start to think about a possible supplementary entry at the end of the month.

Changing of the guard landed the Chester Vase at this fixture last year and is back for more in the tote.co.uk Bet £5 Get £20 Ormonde Stakes.

He was allowed to make all when beating odds-on favourite and subsequent St Leger second New London by six and a half lengths and again tried to do it from the front when pitched into the Derby.

While the Galileo colt could only stay on for fifth at Epsom, it was nevertheless a creditable run against speedier types and he showed plenty of resilience when turned out 13 days later to lead from start to finish in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He was aided by Grand Alliance hanging across the track, but it was a fine effort on ground that was probably quicker than he would have liked.

Off since that run, Changing of the guard will need to overcome his lengthy absence but easy conditions and a slight edging up in distance appear to be in his favour, with Aidan O’Brien having mentioned him as a possible deputy for Kyprios in the staying division.

Theory of everything strikes out in handicap company, but even a starting mark of 94 might not stop him in the Deepbridge Capital Handicap.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt made quite the debut at Doncaster at the start of April, missing the break before making seamless progress and eventually cruising to a six-length success.

That prompted his team to raise their sights for the Greenham at Newbury, where he was a bit slowly away again and just could not strike a blow against winner Isaac Shelby or the second Charyn.

Beaten eight and a half lengths in third, it was still a decent performance at a higher level and a repeat should be good enough here.

Harry’s Bar has been consistent of late and can put up another good showing in the CAA Stellar Handicap.