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Ballydoyle handler sets sights on ninth win in Chester’s Classic trial

Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed as he bids to continue his remarkable record in the Centennial Celebration – MBNA Chester Vase on Wednesday.

The Ballydoyle maestro has saddled a record eight previous winners of the Group Three contest including each of the last five.

The O’Brien-trained Ruler Of The World claimed victory in 2013 en-route to winning the Investec Derby, while Wings Of Eagles was beaten into second by stablemate Venice Beach 12 months ago before going one better at Epsom the following month.

This year O’Brien saddles the once-raced Gowran maiden winner Family Tree, Flag Of Honour, who finished third in a Group Three in France last month, and Hunting Horn, who was third in the Sandown Classic Trial less than a fortnight ago.

The in-form combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick is represented by Ispolini, who was beaten a short-head into second at Sandown.

The William Haggas-trained Young Rascal steps up in grade following a dominant display at Newbury while the unbeaten Perfect Illusion also takes his chance for Andrew Balding.

O’Brien saddles three in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks, a race he has won five times in the last 10 years.

Dramatically steps up in trip after finishing down the field in the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket last month and is joined by stable companions Forever Together and Magic Wand.

There is a fourth Irish challenger in Gavin Cromwell’s Princess Yaiza.

Leading hopes for the home team include the John Gosden-trained Award Winning and Ralph Beckett’s Kinaesthesia.