Get all of Thursday 11 May’s UK racing tips from the Chester May Meeting as well as the best of the rest from Southwell.
CHESTER
Race 1 – HARRY’S BAR 11/1
HARRY’S BAR has been consistent of late and can put up another good showing in the CAA Stellar Handicap after being kept on the go through the winter.
Don’t rule out course specialist LOOK OUT LOUIS, who won this contest off 14lb lower last year and had a nice pipe-opener in a Listed contest at Lingfield in February. Another previous winner at this meeting, LIHOU has been in terrific form of late and must enter calculations.
NYMPHADORA may be winless since May 2021, but some of her form from last season gives her a chance.
Race 2 – THEORYOFEVERYTHING 3/1
THEORYOFEVERYTHING strikes out in handicap company, but even a starting mark of 94 might not stop him in the Deepbridge Capital Handicap. The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt made quite the debut at Doncaster at the start of April, missing the break before making seamless progress and eventually cruising to a six-length success.
That prompted his team to raise their sights for the Greenham at Newbury, where he was a bit slowly away again and just could not strike a blow against either winner Isaac Shelby or the second Charyn. Beaten eight and a half lengths in third, it was still a decent performance at a higher level and a repeat should be good enough here, with soft ground important for his chances.
Race 3 – PASSENGER 4/1
PASSENGER can state his Betfred Derby case with victory in the Boodles Dee Stakes. Sir Michael Stoute has taken the bold step of moving straight to Listed company with this son of Ulysses following an impressive debut win in last month’s Wood Ditton at Newmarket.
He sat handy that day over a mile before picking up in style, prevailing by three lengths with only the minimum of encouragement and looking as though he will stay further.
Stoute duly moves up to an extended 10 furlongs for this test, a race he won with subsequent Epsom hero Kris Kin in 2003. Like Kris Kin, Passenger is not entered for the Derby at this stage, but a win here could see connections start to think about a possible supplementary entry at the end of the month.
Race 4 – CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD 15/8
CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD landed the Chester Vase at this fixture last year and is back for more in the tote.co.uk Bet £5 Get £20 Ormonde Stakes.
He was allowed to make all when beating odds-on favourite and subsequent St Leger second New London by six and a half lengths and again tried to do it from the front when pitched into the Derby. While the Galileo colt could only stay on for fifth at Epsom, it was nevertheless a creditable run against speedier types and he showed plenty of resilience when turned out 13 days later to lead from start to finish in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He was aided by Grand Alliance hanging across the track, but it was a fine effort on ground that was probably quicker than he would have liked. Off since that run, he will need to overcome his lengthy absence but easy conditions and a slight edging up in distance appear to be in his favour, with Aidan O’Brien having mentioned him as a possible deputy for Kyprios in the staying division.
Race 5 – CITY STREAK 10/3
CITY STREAK rates a big player on the pick of his form and Andrew Balding’s four-year-old must hold every chance of building on a promising third over a similar trip at Chelmsford last month.
He filled the runner-up spot over course and distance on his third-last outing in July and another bold showing looks assured off 4lb higher. Connections of THUNDER MAX reach for first-time blinkers following a decent fourth at Haydock most recently and he is noted along with Tudor.
SOUTHWELL
Race 1 – CHOISYA 11/2
Runner-up on her two most recent starts, including over this trip at Lingfield in February, CHOISYA is entitled to go one better in the Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap at Southwell.
She is fairly well-related and the unexposed daughter of Night Of Thunder may be capable of better, despite a 2lb rise for her most recent outing. Yorkshire seemed to appreciate a return to the all-weather when securing a game victory over 6f in March and he is feared, while ODIN OWNS YOU ALL is another to consider.
