It's the final day of the Chester May meeting today and it certainly has been an informative week for all the big races going forwards. I'm keen to go out on a high and with forecast quick ground likely to be a huge positive for BOX TO BOX I think he can overhaul the two young improvers in the line up. Both Bolster and Botanical, I think, would prefer a softer surface which doesn't look likely at present so that leaves the door open for Chester favourite Box To Box. He has shown top handicap form over this course and distance before and if the two fancied horses are hindered by quick ground then he can certainly take advantage.
In the big race itself I fancy two more Hugo Palmer horses with ZOFFEE being the obvious one. His price has collapsed today but at 9/1 last night he looked a solid each way punt. Supposedly not quite right when finishing second here last year, his trainer has reported him in much better form this time around. He has plenty of form in similar races so I expect him to be there or thereabouts. Stablemate SOLENT GATEWAY shouldn't be overlooked either as he too is capable of making his mark. Two disappointing runs this time around on the all weather can be somewhat ignored and a recent wind operation should help him here. I don't think he will be too far away from his stablemate come the finish.
The Plate race looks wide open this year and I can't believe the price of IT'S GOOD TO LAUGH who so often saves his best for Chester. I imagine he will be spot on for this and is certainly worth some each way support in an open race.
Chester 2.35 – Box To Box
Chester 3.40 – Zoffee / Solent Gateway
Chester 4.15 – It's Good To Laugh
Saturday
It's a busy day tomorrow all over the country but not much is jumping out at me. The Victoria Cup is a race I like to target and I think this year's edition isn't the best. There are a lot of horses bringing all weather form to the table which doesn't always work out in the best way so I'm keen to stick to find a turf specialist and I'm hoping STREETS OF GOLD proves to be just that. A prolific two year old, his best race as a three year old came here at the Royal meeting last year where he finished second in the Jersey. His season didn't quite go as planned after that but I'm hoping his 4 year old season proves more successful. A recent spin over 6f at Newmarket should have put him spot on and I',m more than hopeful he can defy a big weight.
Ascot 2.40 – Streets Of Gold
