All roads will lead to Chester this weekend for their popular two-day fixture, which gets underway on Friday evening at the Roodee with their popular Ladies Day meeting, which has attracted decent prize money of £92,847 for the six-race card.

Stephanie Hughes, head of marketing, reports availability in all enclosures for this evenings meeting.

Clerk of the course Andrew Morris has been watering the course ahead this weekend’s meetings due to the current heatwave, he lists the going as good to firm. RUK will be showing all six races live on their pay per view channel.

Racing comes under starters orders at 5.55pm with the Sportingbet Apprentice Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs. Andrew Balding has a good strike rate at the Roodee and can land the opener with Lord Vetinari, the Lethal Force gelding got up in the final stride to beat Quick Breath by a short head at Goodwood last time out and can go in again.

Malpas trainer Tom Dascombe - fresh from Royal Ascot success with Arthur Kitt - runs Red Force One in the race and said: “He has a great draw, Elisha Whittington rides him, he has been a bit disappointing, but if he gets out well from the draw then he would have a chance."

Even Keel can land the MBNA Maiden Auction Stakes over seven furlongs. Jonathan Portman’s charge has been runner up in both his starts at Salisbury and Windsor and can make it third time lucky tonight.

The obvious danger is the Mark Johnston trained Axel Jacklin, with the course specialist jockey Franny Norton in the plate.

Dascombe has Great Scot in the race, adding: “He is nice sort who is well drawn and whatever he does he will improve, he is not without a chance, but he will definitely be winning races in the future.”

The feature race on the card ids the £23,000 Sportingbet Fillies Handicap over a mile and quarter. William Haggas has his horses in really good form at present, and it is difficult to see past his charge Feline Groovy (nap). The selection beat Mojika a shade cosily by a neck at Newbury last time out, and has strong claims of a repeat performance this evening. I would recommend the David Barron trained Pantera Negra for the forecast, his charge won at Beverley and Musselburgh last season, and will improve from her first run of the season at Beverley.

Ian Williams can land the Eurogold Handicap over a mile and quarter with Gossip Column, the Arcando gelding has been a model of consistency this season, winning at Windsor and finishing runner up on his latest start at Sandown to a useful sort in Ibraz. my selection only failed by a neck, he was in front a stride past the post, but they pay on the jam stick. Jamie Osborne’s charge Mr Reckless is rated the main danger.

In the Sportingbet Claiming Stakes, it is worth taking on likely favourite Sound Advice with the Michael Appleby trained Call Out Loud, who can make full use of his ideal number one draw. The selection has finished runner up on his last three starts, the latest at Yarmouth where he finished runner up to Kaeso.

Racing comes under starters orders on Saturday at 1.55pm with the Beefeater Pink Confined Novice Stakes over seven furlongs. William Haggas can land the opener with Beauty Filly, the daughter of Invincible Spirit was just touched off by Bedwyyah at Thirsk last time out. Dascombe has Cashel in the line up, explaining: “He disappointed big style at Haydock last time out, and I don’t know why, he is better than that, hopefully he will run much better race this time.”

The feature race on the card is the £23,000 Matthew Clark Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs. Balding has a strong contender in Crossing the Line, the filly has been a model of consistency in her three starts this season.

Dascombe has a strong contender in Dragon’s Tail (nap) and the handler added: “He is drawn well in three and he loves Chester. I thought he ran really well at Haydock last time, he is so tough and I think he has a great chance. He should go close.”

Paul Midgley can land the Schweppes 1783 Handicap over the minimum trip with Tanasoq, the Acclamation gelding seems to be staying one step ahead of the handicapper and comes into this race looking for the four-timer.

I would advise a saver on the Richard Fahey trained course and distance winner Powerallied, who runs in the well known colours of Marwan Koukash. The Camacho gelding had not luck in running when fourth to Summerghand at Haydock last time out. The obvious danger from the plum number one draw is the Tim Easterby trained Confessional, who is a course and distance runner at the Roodee.

Nescliffe trainer Mark Brisbourne has gone on record as saying that a winner at his local course Chester is worth two at any other course. It was good to see him back in the winner’s enclosure at the Roodee following the success of Ice Canyon, who sprang a 25-1 shock when beating Andok a head at the last meeting, and the Raven’s Pass gelding will not be that price in the Woodford Reserve Handicap over a mile and a half, and has strong claims.

My preference will be for the Ralph Beckett trained Airmax, who ran well at Haydock last time out, the extra furlong should suit.