2022 Chester Festival Friday Preview and Tips – DS
2022 Chester Festival Friday Tips
It was a case of close, but no cigar for us on Thursday at Chester. The race panned out exactly as I hoped for Count D’Orsay. However, Rob Hornby blocked him in at a crucial stage and he just failed to get up in time. Bastogne ran no race but our 12/1 e/w NAP Thunderous nicked 2nd. Lunar Jet lost his race in the prelims and if he was fav, he probably would have been withdrawn. Hopefully we can finish the meeting with a flourish, 2022 Chester Festival Friday tips are below.
1.30 – Earl Grosvenor Handicap (Class 2)
The one I am backing in this race is Fame And Aclaim. Trained by Les Eyre, this 5yo has yet to score since moving across the pond from Joseph O’Brien midway through last season. He ran respectably a couple of times in his first six starts for Eyre without winning. He must have had an issue with his breathing as he had a wind-op at the end of the campaign.
In five runs since going close off 99 over 7f at Newmarket, Fame And Aclaim hasn’t looked off a yard. Maybe it was his wind but more likely, Eyre was getting him handicapped. His return to action in the Lincoln didn’t bring much cause for optimism, but his last run at Nottingham certainly did (8f gd/sft). The son of Acclamation was only beat 2.75L by Seasett off 93 and he is off the same mark today.
When this horse won his three races in Ireland, he raced prominently. He has only been ridden aggressively twice for Eyre and the second time those tactics were used he ran his best race for the yard at York when beat 2.5L into 3rd off 99. I think this track will suit this fella and he is 1lb below his last winning mark. If Lewis Edmunds can get a decent early posi from stall 6, a big run could be on the cards at odds of 16/1.
2022 Chester Festival Friday Tips: Fame And Aclaim e/w @ 16/1 NAP (4 places W Hill)
2.05 – Deepbridge Handicap (Class 2)
Cap Francais did us a big favour last weekend and he is back in action in this 10.5f handicap. My main angle when tipping him was his record fresh so I’m not backing him again under a 5lb penalty. Brentford Hope is a bit of a machine when he gets his ground. However, it was drying out all the time at Chester on Thursday and it might just be a bit too lively for the strong travelling son of Camelot.
Restorer shaped well here on Thursday and he looks big at 33s if he is turned out again. He has run with a two day gap between races before and won, but a one day turnaround is asking a lot from a 10yo. Baryshnikov’s form at Pontefract was boosted big time by the runner up here yesterday and he has obvious claims. However, the bookies have taken zero chances with any of these and nothing really appeals as being particularly overpriced. I am going to sit this race out. No bet.
2022 Chester Festival Friday Tips: No bet
2.40 – Huxley Stakes (Listed)
The second four runner race of the week. Our old pal Majestic Dawn could be suited by this track. He likes to get on with things and if he gets an easy lead, watch out! Megallan is already a G3 winner and he ran well at that level last time. Solid Stone is another solid G3 performer but Megallan holds him on their meeting at Salisbury last summer. Certain Lad has loads of ability but he is best watched returning from a 532 day break. Another race I am happy to give a wide berth to, although I’ll be cheering on Majestic Dawn for old time’s sake! No bet.
2022 Chester Festival Friday Tips: No bet
3.10 – Chester Cup Handicap (Class 2)
The big one, the Chester Cup. An unusually small field of 14 will go to post and as ever, the start will be absolutely pivotal. Even over a trip of 18f it is vital to get a good early position on this track. Given who owns him, Reshoun will surely be trying and he has a lovely draw in stall 3. Last year he was beat 7L in this off 98 before going on to win at Royal Ascot off 97. He is in off 98 today so there is no doubt he is on a mark off which he can be competitive.
In 2021 he was slow away from stall 5 and he found himself near the back. He actually finished off really well and I don’t think it was the track that beat him, it was more down to his tardy start. The son of Shamardal warmed up for this with a grand comeback run at Wolves 4 weeks ago. He was only 1.5L behind Halimi off 99 and he got another pound back from the handicapper as an added bonus.
The drying conditions are of no concern to Reshoun. He has won on all sorts of ground. What is a concern is how he breaks from the stalls. He has won when racing prominently so if he is slow away again, it is probably game over. However, if he gets away on level terms he is more than capable of running into a place at odds of 25/1.
2022 Chester Festival Friday Tips: Reshoun e/w @ 25/1 NB (5 places)
3.40 – Boodles Conditions Stakes (Class 3)
He has a bit to find at the ratings but if he is at his best after a short break, King Of Stars could make a bold bid for glory in this 5f conditions race. Trained by Mick Appleby, this son of Starspangledbanner was last sighted running down the field in a Southwell handicap. I wouldn’t read too much into that as he was returning from a spell in Dubai where he ran one very good race in a Listed contest (5f gd).
This fella last won in September at Yarmouth (5f gd/sft). He bounced out and made all in commanding fashion off 96, eventually scoring by 3.5L. Yarmouth is a sharp, left handed track and it really seemed to suit him. He is drawn in stall 4 today so if he breaks well he should be able to get to the front. Flaming Rib is drawn in stall 1 but all his best recent form is over 6f. Hopefully King of Stars can break quicker than him and if he does, he could run into a place at odds of 18/1.
