Aquaman to make a splash at Chester

Aquaman can confirm his adaptability with victory in the Deepbridge Estate Planning Service Handicap at Chester tomorrow.

Roger Varian’s Kodiac colt demonstrated on his final start last season that he can handle easy conditions when he moved well on soft ground at Yarmouth before having to settle for an honourable runner-up spot.

He improved significantly on that form when a wellbacked winning favourite at Catterick last month.

That success came on a much quicker surface, and Aquaman’s pedigree suggests he may well be most at home in those conditions. He has already shown that he can acquit himself well too when there is rain around – as there is at the Roodee this week – and as the forecast improves for day two of the Boodles May Festival, he should not be inconvenienced.

A 300,000 guinea yearling, Aquaman was unplaced but ran with credit in very useful novice company on his first two career starts – including here – late last summer.

But his Yarmouth performance and winning Catterick return put him on an upward curve, and an initial rating of 87 gives him a chance to double up against his contemporaries on handicap debut.

Trueshan used to inhabit similar company but is a proven Group performer these days, and can successfully concede 2lb and upwards in the tote+ Pays You More At tote.co.uk Ormonde Stakes.

Alan King’s gelding will need to be 5lb better than likely favourite Japan but has been a remarkable and sustained improver over the past two seasons.

Trueshan posted a new personal best when signing off as part of a famous day for his jockey Hollie Doyle with a hugely impressive victory in the Group Two British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.

He drops back in trip here and as a Gold Cup hopeful at Ascot next month, this return is likely to be a staging post en route back to marathon tests – but even at this sharp track, with soft ground in his favour, Trueshan can outstay Japan and outclass the remainder.

Earlswood is another who appears sure to handle conditions, and may be capable of causing a minor surprise in the tote+ Biggest Dividends At tote.co.uk Dee Stakes.

Several of his rivals may not be seen at their best if the ground is still riding soft, but he will have no trouble on the basis of a convincing maiden victory at Navan in March.

Earlswood showed plenty of stamina that day, having shown a decent level of form for John Oxx against some high-profile opponents last autumn. He steps up beyond a mile for the first time, but it looks a sound option on both pedigree and racecourse evidence.