On the third day of the May Festival, East India Dock looks like a shipshape selection in Friday’s Ladbrokes Chester Cup. James Owen’s four-year-old nearly won the Triumph at Cheltenham, capping an outstanding juvenile hurdling campaign, but was beaten in the closing steps. He was a progressing stayer on the Flat last season, gaining 24 pounds in the weights. The rough and tumble of this well-known classic handicap on the winding, winding track seems perfect. Harry Davies should be able to achieve a strong racing position, and he has secured a respectable berth in stall six. Hot Fuss and Who’s Glen are two of the biggest threats.
In the first CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap, two Temping can entice bettors. The six-year-old is well-drawn, performs well at the track, and put up a strong showing at Newbury last month. Another potent fancy in the Precision Facades Handicap is Penzance (3.40). He is a sophisticated all-weather horse who did well on turf in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last Saturday. The extra two furlongs on the Roodee will be ideal for him. The 2023 Dante champion As a five-year-old, the Foxes continue to train and win the Group Two Huxley Stakes, while Orionis, who showed promise in her lone appearance, may win Chester’s other ITV4 race. At Ascot, the opening race is also on ITV4 where James Fanshawe’s Philanthropoist (1.50) can do a a good turn for punters. The nap vote goes to Akkadian Thunder (3.25, nap) at the Berkshire track.
When he didn’t have any kind of run on his seasonal debut at Leicester, David O’Meara’s five-year-old seemed terribly unlucky not to win. If his running luck improves, he should be quite competitive today. Watch out for Bethpage (4.23, nb) at Market Rasen, who was a recent unlucky loser at Cheltenham, on another exciting racing day. She is capable of making amends and is a mare on the rise. At Ripon, bettors should also enjoy The Good Biscuit (7.30, trb). Ruth Carr’s gelding has a strong draw and has put up two impressive performances at the North Yorkshire circuit.
