Angel eyes better run

Side with ANGEL GABRIAL (Chester, nap, 3.10) to go one better and land this afternoon’s Betway Chester Cup.

The six-year- old overcame a nightmare passage to finish second in last year’s renewal where, because of a poor track position, he was asked to pass the whole field between the three and two-furlong marker by rider Jamie Spencer.

Ridden to go clear turning f or home, i t was perhaps unsurprising that the dramatic end-of-race move took its toll in the closing stages and Angel Gabrial was worn down late on by Suegioo, who was also racing in owner dr Marwan Koukash’s distinctive colours.

The duo finished well clear at the line and it is not hard to i magine that with either a slightly better trip or more conservative ride, the selection would have won cosily.

Hopefully, a better stalls position may see Spencer able to settle Angel Gabrial closer to the speed rather than in last place and his comeback effort at Ripon over an inadequate trip should have brought him on mentally and physically.

Heavy overnight rain would play to the strengths of Leopardstown scorer Zafayan, who is trained by an operation that can do little wrong at present, while Gabrial’s Star could outrun his price from a handy draw.

B FIFTY TWO (Chester, nb, 3.50) is unbeaten on the Roodee in two starts and looks to have been laid out for a tilt at this race by handler Charlie Hills. Hills’ father Barry often targeted this meeting and Charlie appears to have done the same with the dark Angel gelding, who enjoyed a pipe opener on All-Weather Finals day at Lingfield.

He failed to make much impact on that occasion but looks sure to get a good tow into the race with the speedy Come On dave drawn inside him. Mappin Time is another that would relish the pace collapsing late on, as he is a strong finisher and goes well on tight, left-handed tracks.

BANZARI (Chester, 2.40) moved through soft ground beautifully to win at Nottingham l ast autumn and could give a bold show on her reappearance in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks.

Michael Bell also trained the selection’s father to win an epsom derby and the daughter of Motivator looks the type to improve as a three-year-old over a distance of ground.