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London calling for Appleby at Chester

3 minute read

New London is expected to enhance his Derby claims with victory in the Boodles Chester Vase.

Trainer Charlie Appleby. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Having saddled the first two home in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday in Coroebus and Native Trail, trainer Charlie Appleby's thoughts will now turn towards the premier Classic at Epsom.

New London looked a high-class sort when making a successful debut at Newmarket in the autumn and confirmed that impression on his return to action at the Craven meeting.

Taking on another previous winner in Aldous Huxley, New London doubled his tally and looked better the further he went, so this step up to a mile and a half should be right up his street.

Already second-favourite for the Derby with some bookmakers, New London's odds are sure to contract further if he can complete his hat-trick on the Roodee.

Irish raider Above The Curve gets the vote in the Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Cheshire Oaks.

A big eyecatcher when third on her racecourse introduction at Leopardstown in October, the daughter of American Pharoah returned to the Foxrock track to open her account in some style four weeks ago.

Joseph O'Brien's charge travelled like much the best filly in the race and ultimately won with plenty in hand to earn herself a tilt at an Oaks trial.

The subsequent success of the third (Hymn Book Too) and the fifth (Emily Dickinson) gives the form some credibility and Above The Curve is clearly a filly of some potential.

It will be interesting to see how Ocean Cloud fares as she makes her turf debut in the ICM Stellar Sports Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes.

Gay Kelleway's youngster was a surprise winner at Kempton on debut, but proved that performance was no fluke when doubling her tally at the Sunbury venue in novice company just over a fortnight ago.

She faces a tougher task at Chester, but if she can maintain her unbeaten record an appearance at Royal Ascot will loom large.

Fresh from claiming Classic glory with Cachet in Sunday's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, George Boughey will have high hopes for Navello in the tote.co.uk Free Chester Placepot Every Day Handicap.

The speedy son of Ivawood bolted up in the Lily Agnes 12 months ago and returned to Chester to finish second to the high-class Flaming Rib in September.

He failed to fire on his most recent outing at Thirsk, but is of clear interest back on a track which clearly suits.

Kempton punters should put their faith in King Zain in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap.

Having achieved a rating in the 90s with Mark and Charlie Johnston, the Kingman colt moved south to join Roger and Harry Charlton during the off-season and very nearly made a winning start for his new team when touched off by Notre Belle Bete here last month.

The winner did the form no harm whatsoever when third in a valuable handicap at Newmarket a few days ago and it will be a shade disappointing if King Zain cannot go one better despite carrying top weight.

Seddon can make it back-to-back wins at Newton Abbot in the newtonabbotracing.com Handicap Chase.

A talented bumper horse and novice hurdler a few years ago, the Stowaway gelding has never quite fulfilled that early potential, but is a decent sort nonetheless.

Good ground appears to be the key to the nine-year-old, as he proved when knuckling down to win by a head here two and a half weeks ago.

A 2lb rise to a mark of 130 does not look insurmountable considering he has won from a perch of 132 in the past.

Gordon Elliott's decision to send Bravo Team across the Irish Sea can pay off in the Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers Novices' Hurdle at Kelso.

A clear-cut winner in heavy ground at Clonmel a couple of starts back, the six-year-old looked to lack a gear back on a sounder surface over two miles at Limerick last time, but still finished third.

A step up in trip can help Bravo Team get back on the winning trail.

Ballycamus, a last time out winner at Hereford, rates the best bet at Fontwell in the At The Races App Market Movers Novices' Handicap Hurdle.

SELECTIONS:

CHESTER: 1.30 Ocean Cloud, 2.05 Navello, 2.40 Above The Curve, 3.10 NEW LONDON (NAP), 3.40 Ever Given, 4.15 Berkshire Breeze, 4.45 Big Narstie.

FONTWELL: 5.00 Coal Stock, 5.35 Fountains Chief, 6.10 Premier D'troice, 6.40 Steady Away, 7.10 Ballycamus, 7.40 Rectory Oak, 8.10 Space Voyage.

GOWRAN PARK: 4.50 Kampala Beach, 5.20 Adonis, 5.50 Mighty Blue, 6.20 Sultanov Swing, 6.50 Clemmie C, 7.20 Lamprog, 7.50 Atlas, 8.20 Darkened.

KELSO: 1.40 Deluxe Range, 2.15 Lock Down Luke, 2.50 Bravo Team, 3.20 Big Nasty, 3.50 Sao, 4.20 Just Cause, 4.55 Huntsman's Call.

KEMPTON: 5.30 Union Court, 6.00 Exciting News, 6.30 Tiare, 7.00 Follow Your Heart, 7.30 Light Lily, 8.00 King Zain, 8.30 Carlos Felix.

NEWTON ABBOT: 1.15 Wild Max, 1.50 Rouge Vif, 2.25 Largy G, 3.00 Toronto, 3.30 Ratfacemcdougall, 4.00 Seddon, 4.30 Sweet Nightingale, 5.05 Shore Shanty.

DOUBLE: Above The Curve and New London.