A maiden over this extended 6f.
Not too many look fancied for this - with a selection of form horses and two juveniles making their debuts.
Tamareen showed good speed at Yarmouth before tiring in the final furlong. Ed Dunlop is a capable trainer although often trains the lesser of Hamdan Al Maktoum's youngsters. This bay colt went off relatively fancied on debut and clearly comes here with a chance. However, the race at Yarmouth was a rather strange affair and the field were strung out at the line. The winner and second are capable sorts although nothing out of the ordinary and Tamareen may have to improve. His initial early speed will keep him handy which is no bad thing around Chester.
Alfraamsey must come here with a decent chance after a fair run behind two talented juveniles at Newmarket. Channon's two-year-old ran on well after being outpaced at Lingfield over 5f. The step up to 6f made a big difference and improvement followed. Chester is never the easiest of tracks to race and some horses love it while others struggle with the turning nature of this course. It is debatable whether this bay colt will be outpaced in the first furlong or not. Clearly the 6f is run with less vigor but it is still a slight concern. Alfraamsey should give a good account of himself and in many ways is the most proven of these.
Of the rest, the betting and form suggests not too much is expected today. The one exception to that is Amwell Pinot. Alan Bailey is a talented trainer and if this juvenile is relatively fancied on debut it is worth noting. This chestnut colt by Dubawi is a recent breeze-up sale for 80,000gns and probably comes here fit and ready to run a big race. Chester isn't an ideal track to make your racecourse appearance and a slow start could make this a still task. However, this doesn't look the most competitive of events and Bailey does well round here. One to note in the betting, especially if substantially backed.
Other races:
3:50 Goodwood
4:15 York
5:20 Lingfield
18:35 Newbury
Tip:
18:35 Newbury - Fifth Commandment 1PTEW Unp (6/1)
Comment: 'A disappointing effort from Fifth Commandment and this wasn't her running, which is little consolation but it is one of those frustrating elements at times.'
