We have stayed overnight in Chester as we have a runner in the first here today. It is a beautiful City as you can see from the photo and everyone was in high spirits after a fantastic day’s racing where everyone was bathed in sunshine. The atmosphere here is always inspiring and I always enjoy having runners here. Everything is going well at La Grange and the two year olds went through the stalls this morning having worked yesterday. They were all well behaved and I am told everything went smoothly.
Red Verdon won impressively in the last at Chester, it was only a small field but the second stole three lengths on him as they went around the bend and I was happy with the way he wore the winner down. There were some horses in behind that did not run their race but given the distance back to the third the handicapper is unlikely to be kind to him.
We just have the one runner today in a fiercely competitive handicap at Chester in the 2:10. Dark Red has gone up in the weights a lot for his Epsom win and I worry about his wide draw too. He has travelled well in his races which will be an asset around here and I think the ground will be ideal but it will take a big performance for him to land the hat-trick. The Varian horse American Artist looks progressive, the Sir Michael horse Darshini could be a lazy type that has more to offer and you always have to fear a Mark Johnston runner at Chester with Sennockian Star and Master of Finance both having solid back form.
The Oaks Trial was a strange race as they went very hard early as those looking to get near the front made sure they secured a prominent position. The pace then slowed before quickening again and the winner Somehow won without being overly impressive but she still looks to be learning. Moorside and Diamonds Pour Moi are both unexposed in second and third and look like nice fillies and Dessertoflife set the standard in fourth. Play Gal ran with promise given how hard she went early.
Today we will learn how good US Army Ranger is in The Chester Vase and it will help Coolmore to make their decision regarding Minding running in the Derby. Aiden O’Brien says he is still very green but the main danger on the form book is another Ballydoyle inmate in Port Douglas who has a Curragh Group 2 to his name. The other four contenders are all promising horses in their own right but if one of them is to challenge the front two they will have to step up considerably on what they have shown so far.