Chester selections Thursday 8th May
Chester’s big meeting of the year continues on Thursday and the two best handicaps are worthy of further attention. We had a cracking day on Sunday with the 1000 Guineas winner Desert Flower (advised 11/8) and Story Horse also winning (advised 15/2).
Chester 1.30: Fair Taxes
An Irish challenger, who has already come across to Chester and run well, FAIR TAXES can take advantage of a much more favourable draw to win on his second visit here.
He had to cope with stall ten of ten here on that previous visit, but made the best of a bad lot by keeping on well for third despite having to endure an inevitable wide passage throughout. He will have no such excuse today with the ideal berth in stall one.
He tuned up for this with a run out on the sand at Dundalk last month, ultimately fading into third over 6f having made much of the running. Whilst his previous win came over 6f at Fairyhouse, he definitely has the natural speed to cope with a 5f race around a sharp track. Indeed you would think this race has been a target for some time.
Chester 3.40: God of War
Highly tried last season, GOD OF WAR might be back at his rightful level this afternoon and can make a winning handicap debut.
He learned plenty having run green when fourth on debut at Yarmouth last summer, winning next time out on fast ground over 7f at Doncaster, a race that has worked out very well with Lightening Mann (winner at Newmarket at the weekend) back in fifth and Vocal Legend (winner on AW finals day at Lingfield) sixth.
From there he was pitched straight into listed company at Doncaster’s Leger meeting and then a Group 3 at Newbury on soft ground in the autumn. He was well beaten in those two starts, but it does show the high regard connections hold him in. This looks a more realistic target and a rating of 93 looks reasonable.
Recommended bets:
1pt each-way – Fair Taxes – 1.30 Chester – 9/2 Bet365 (1/5 odds 1st 4)
1pt win – God of War – 3.40 Chester – 4/1 Bet365
