IT'S been a bit of a slow burner thus far, but with the first two Classics now behind us, this afternoon sees the new flat season turned up another gas mark or two with the start of Chester's May meeting.
Given its tight twists and turns, the Roodee may not be everyone's favourite racing arena but the action tends to come thick and very fast so as a spectacle, the next three days will be hard to beat.
Highlight of the fixture's opening card is the
marathon Chester Cup, an event that to the uninitiated, might seem like an exercise in seeing which of the maximum 17-strong field can best complete the two and a quarter miles, not forgetting the extra 147 yards, without getting dizzy.
Scotsman Alan King has already enjoyed another memorable campaign over jumps but he clearly likes to dip his toe in the water on the level as well and given how successful his forays in that field have been, a few trainers might well be pleased he doesn't switch codes full-time.
Shipmaster gave King his first ever Group winner on the flat when landing Ascot's Sagaro Stakes last week and while a penalty for that success means the top-weight has to concede even more poundage than would have been the case, Richard Hughes's mount is far from being out of the mix.
Neither is Black Rock who was last seen winning at Ayr's Gold Cup meeting last September. That was easily the colt's best performance to date and while he has yet race over such an extreme trip as today's, Michael Jarvis isn't one to tilt at windmills so the Newmarket handler must be fairly confident stamina won't be an issue.
Even so, it's difficult to ignore the claims of ante-post favourite Highland Legacy who is short enough in the market for a race as competitive as this, but on the strength of his form, the bookies can hardly be blamed for being a tad stingy about the odds on offer.
Michael Bell's charge has won three on the trot and last month's Ripon victory, on what was his seasonal debut, proved the selection was still on the upgrade.
Highland Legacy has what looks like a decent draw and granted a trouble free passage, he'll be difficult to beat.
The Cheshire Oaks may go to Queen Of Naples who didn't win quite as effortlessly as a 13-2 on shot should have done on her latest appearance on the all-weather. John Gosden's filly is now tackling the sort of trip she should excel at however and can see off Sugar Mint.
In an opener that is likely to be frenetic, She's A Shaw Thing has won two out of two so far and her blistering early pace can ensure she clocks up the hat-trick, while Maraased showed enough in his debut to suggest he can progress past Daraahem who beat him when the pair last met a few weeks ago.
For the time being, and given the way some of the naps have been running of late, it would appear to make sense to stick with the jumps for the best bet.
That, after all, is my forte?
Given he trained so many big race winners in the past, Kim Bailey now struggles to scale the peaks he once did but his horses are in decent form and Double Mead looks worth a sizeable punt in the last at Fakenham.
The full article contains 588 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
