The 188Bet Chester Cup (3.35) is once again a fiendishly difficult handicap to solve but the answer could be Grandee on his second start for David O’Meara.
A juvenile winner for Jessie Harrington, Grandee contested at the top level last season, including the Irish Derby, having previously landed the King George V Cup at Leopardstown.
Having moved to shrewd handler O’Meara, the four-year-old made an encouraging reappearance at Ripon a fortnight ago, slowly away over the 1m4f but staying on powerfully at the finish when second behind Great Hall.
This significant step up in trip – a first try over two miles – could lead to plenty of improvement, soft ground holds no fears and he’s well drawn in stall three to bag a prominent early position. He’s very interesting at 14-1 with bet365.
Having been all over Who Dares Wins for this race 12 months ago – when an unlucky fourth behind Montaly – I can’t let Alan King’s inmate go unbacked despite a 7lb higher mark, with the booking of Ryan Moore a huge uplift. He is drawn 15 though, and it could be another case of a tricky passage ultimately costing him the race.
A good draw is always an advantage at the Roodee but Titi Makfi (stall 10 of 12) could defy a wide berth to make all in the Boodles Diamond Handicap (3.00).
Mark Johnston’s improving four-year-old comes here off a career-high of 103 but was desperately unlucky not to win off that mark last weekend at Goodwood, when collared late on by Isabel De Urbina.
A previous course winner on good to soft, Titi Makfi’s chances will mostly depend on getting a prominent early position but there’s every chance he’ll bag the rail with Roodee-specialist Franny Norton booked, who was on board for the horse’s previous course success. He’s 7-1 with Hills.
Charlie Croasdale’s race-by-race selections:
1.50: Muntadab – Consistent sort who has a good record in soft ground, seven furlong handicaps and is well drawn in seven.
2.25: Eminent – Hard to envisage defeat for Martyn Meade’s stable star who faces just five rivals for this Group 2 Huxley Stakes.
3.00: Titi Makfi (nap)
3.35: Grandee (nb)
4.05: Duke Of Firenze – Top drawer sprinter who could still have a big performance in him despite his veteran status.
4.40: Gabrial’s King – Last win came here back in August 2015 but always tends to run well at the track and very well handicapped on his best.
5.15: Coeur De Lion – First-time cheekpieces could eek out further improvement for Alan King’s charge who is yet to run badly on the flat.
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