CAPULET can give Aidan O'Brien another record-equalling 11th victory in the Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes (3.05pm) on day two of the Boodles Chester May Festival. And with success in the Listed contest on the Roodee the three-year-old may book his ticket to next month's Betfred Derby at Epsom.
The three-year-old son of American Triple Crown hero Justify has only won once at the all-weather track at Dundalk in four starts – but he looks capable of plenty of progress stepped up to an extended 1m2f for the first time. He was beaten half-a-length by stable-mate Diego Velazquez in the Group Two KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown in September. And he was less than two lengths behind last weekend's QIPCO 2,000 Guineas fourth Ghostwriter, when third in the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmerket in September last year.
He was only third when favourite on his return in the Woodford Rservee Cardinal Conditions Stakes at Chelmsford City last month as connections tried to qualify him for a crack at the Kentucky Derby. With that not going to plan, he could be on the road to Epsom or possibly the French Derby now. He will clearly need to improve for his most recent run but stepping up in trip should bring about that improvement and on his juvenile form he looks to hold a solid chance of victory in the Dee Stakes ahead of the John and Thady Gosden-trained God's Window.
Another O'Brien inmate POINT LONSDALE can win the Group Three feature on the second day of the May meeting, the tote.co.uk Supporting Racing Ormonde Stakes (3.40pm). O'Brien's five-year-old won the Huxley Stakes over an extended 1m2f at his meeting last year but things didn't go to plan afterwards as he returned to Group One company. He was third in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, eighth in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, sixth to stable-mate Auguste Rodin in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and ended the season when fourth in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot beaten around three lengths by King Of Steel. A winner at Royal Ascot as a juvenile the son of 2014 Derby winner Australia has generally done well at this sort of level but is a bit below it in Group Ones. He was sixth again in Group One company in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March, but down in grade and up in trip to 1m5f he may be able to score again on the Roodee.
MANILA SCOUSE can win the CAA Stellar Handicap (1.30pm). Part-owned by Scouser John Cruces, the Tim Easterby-trained five-year-old should be able to grab the five-furlong sprint on his first run on the Roodee since he was runner-up on only his second career start back in October 2021. Manila Scouse had a busy and profitable season last year with three wins – one at Haydock Park – and numerous placed efforts in big handicap sprints in 16 starts. He was second on his return to action at Wetherby last month. Despite being drawn in stall seven, Manila Scouse usually breaks well so shouldn't be inconvenienced too much and can triumph.
Andrew Balding's CELTIC WARRIOR can win the Halliwell Jones Handicap (2.35pm), under Oisin Murphy. The three-year-old failed to score in his first three starts last season but has started the new campaign in fine form. Following a narrow defeat to Innet Temple on his handicap debut at Southwell in March, he finally landed a first success on his first start when landing a head win at Kempton at the start of last month. The gelded son of Saxon Warrior can continue that progress with victory ahead of recent Haydock winner Nellie Laylax.
David Barron's BARYSHNIKOV goes particulary well on the Roodee and can grab another victory in the Precision Facades Handicap (4.10pm). The now eight-year-old has won three times at Chester including at this meeting twice and in this race two years ago. He was only sixth in this extended 1m2f contest last year but he was probably a bit high in the handicap then despite having won the race off a mark of 91 in the past. He hadn't won since that success in May 2022 until he scored at Redcar last Thursday. Despite carrying a 4lb penalty he is still below his previous winning mark and conditions look right for another victory at Chester.
The Charlie Johnston-trained ARCH LEGEND can bring up a hat-trick of successes in the Camden Town Brewery Handicap (4.45pm) under Scouse jockey and Chester specialist Franny Norton. The three-year-old showed little in three starts last season. But stepped up in trip to 1m3f and 1m4f this year and sent handicapping, he looks a much better individual. He won well under Oisin Murphy at Windsor last month before quickly following up under Liverpool FC fan Norton at Wolverhamption at the start of this last Wednesday. He can grab a quickfire treble.
Karl Burke's TEEJ A can win the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race) (2.05pm). The two-year-old Mehmaas filly can build on her second on her debut at Nottingham last month to break her duck. She looked a speedy filly and was prominent on that first start. She may be able to use her plum draw in stall one to get a lead or be near the head of affairs and with the experience of that run can go hold on to go one better.
Wright Ones
CHESTER MAY FESTIVAL 2024 (Day Two)
1.30pm Manila Scouse (NAP)
2.05pm Teej A
2.35pm Celtic Warrior
3.05pm Capulet
3.40pm Point Lonsdale
4.10pm Baryshnikov
4.45pm Arch Legend
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