Thursday 5th May

I was apprehensive with Chester on Thursday due to the inconsistent going reports, described as “soft” in the morning, but the times suggested it was quicker than Wednesday when officially good-to-soft, all very confusing. With that in mind I only advised two bets: Blatant (3^rd 11/4 < 6/1) who was well-backed but bumped into an improver; and Temple Of Artemis (WON 9/4 < 5/2) quickly got our money back and got us off the mark for May.

Friday 6th May

In the Chester Cup (3:15) I’m making use of the extra places and backing an outsider each-way. It's Good To Laugh has only had thirteen starts on the flat, winning three and finishing runner-up on five occasions. He has won at the track over an extended mile and a half but is yet to race beyond that on the level and could improve for the longer trip. Good To Laugh comes here fit and well having won three times over hurdles since he last ran on the flat, one of them over 2m 3½f. Stall 15 isn’t ideal but is a big enough price. At the head of the market, class act Falcon Eight has a good chance of repeating last year’s win, while I also like Coltrane, who ran well over the trip in the Cesarewitch from a wide draw:

Chester 3:15 – Good To Laugh – ½ point each-way @ 22/1 (Bet365 & Hills 5 places)

Hugo Palmer has already shown that he is targeting Chester from his new base just down the road and can add to his tally this week with Flaming Rib (3:45). The colt had a productive two-year-old campaign winning five races including his last four starts. His sole start this season was in the group 3 Greenham Stakes and back in handicap company he can exploit his good draw (2) and importantly he acts on any going:

Chester 3:45 – FLAMING RIB – 1 point win @ 11/4 (several firms)

In the apprentice handicap (4:20) Heart And Soul catches the eye as the soul course winner in the field. He’s won at the Roodeye on three occasions, which isn’t surprising as twenty-two of his thirty career starts have been at the track. However, his strike rate improves to three from twelve at 1m 4½f. He is racing 1lb below his winning mark and should be in the mix:

Chester 4:20 – HEART AND SOUL – 1 point win @ 7/1 (generally)