3 minute read
Irish raider Arcadian Sunrise gets the vote in a typically wide-open renewal of the tote+ Chester Cup.
Last year's winner Falcon Eight, another previous course scorer Solent Getaway and the lightly-raced Cleveland are among the market principals, but it could be worth delving a little deeper.
Arcadian Sunrise, trained by John Queally, enjoyed an excellent campaign in 2021, winning three of his six starts.
He struck gold over hurdles at Punchestown in the spring and also landed a valuable jumps prize in the summer at Galway, which proved he can successfully navigate a tricky, turning track.
The eight-year-old continued his progression when successfully switching back to the Flat at York in August, and his subsequent no-show in the November Handicap at Naas is easily forgiven given conditions were extremely testing.
Expect Arcadian Sunrise to be played late by Jamie Spencer on his reappearance – and if he can time his challenge right, there is every chance he can swoop to glory.
Megallan is tough to oppose in the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Ire-Incentive Scheme Huxley Stakes
Runner-up to the top-class Hurricane Lane in the Dante at York 12 months ago, the Kingman colt subsequently finished down the field in the French Derby before winning a Salisbury Group Three.
John and Thady Gosden's inmate made his four-year-old debut in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at last month's Craven meeting and emerged with plenty of credit after finishing second to Master Of The Seas.
The winner was only narrowly beaten in the Guineas last year and looked well placed to make his mark at Group Three level, so for Megallan to get within a length and a quarter of him was a fine effort.
Stepping up slightly in trip, it would be no surprise to see him dominate from the front in the hands of Frankie Dettori.
It will be fascinating to see what the Richard Hughes-trained Brentford Hope can do on his return to action in the Deepbridge Handicap.
The five-year-old was considered a potential Classic contender at one stage and while he did not quite make the grade, he has still developed into a high-class performer.
The Camelot gelding bolted up in a Nottingham handicap from a mark of 98 last term and went on to be placed in three Group races, most recently when third behind the 120-rated Skalleti in Italy.
Reverting to handicap company after six months, he could outclass his rivals.
King's Lynn can carry the colours of the Queen to success in the Boodles Secret Garden Conditions Stakes.
Andrew Balding's sprinter was narrowly beaten by Chester favourite El Astronaute in last year's renewal of this five-furlong contest and went on to win twice at Listed level before the end of the season.
He is the one to beat if fit enough to do himself justice after a break.
Her Majesty might also be among the winners at Ascot, with Saga of clear interest in the Racing Together Community Day Handicap.
Second to two Godolphin stars in Breeders' Cup winner Modern Games and Guineas hero Coroebus on his first two starts, the grey made it third time lucky with a comfortable Ascot victory in September.
Odds-on backers had their fingers burnt when he returned in a conditions event at Kempton last month as he did not find as much as anticipated when push came to shove behind previous winner Maljoom.
There is every chance he can improve on that performance on his handicap debut, though, and back on a track where he has won before, he is expected to reward those who keep the faith.
Recent Windsor runner-up Chimed can go one better in Nottingham's Visit racingtv.com Novice Stakes, while Ripon punters should side with Imperium Blue in the Dr Keith Howard Obe Memorial Handicap.
The latter has already won over the course and distance and should strip fitter for a recent comeback run at Redcar.
The best bet over jumps is Giovanni Change, who will have the assistance of champion jockey Brian Hughes in the racingtv.com Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen.
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: 2.15 Make My Day, 2.50 Immortal Beauty, 3.25 Spyfall, 4.00 Saga, 4.35 Watchya, 5.10 Many A Star, 5.40 Khathak.
CHESTER: 1.30 Boosala, 2.05 Brentford Hope, 2.40 MEGALLAN (NAP), 3.15 Arcadian Sunrise, 3.45 King's Lynn, 4.20 Scampi, 4.55 Call My Bluff.
CORK: 5.30 New York Dreams, 6.00 Sablonne, 6.30 Distillate, 7.00 San Andreas, 7.30 Company Keeping, 8.00 Chicago Bear, 8.30 Flying Dolphin.
DOWNPATRICK: 5.20 So Original, 5.50 Lily Light Foot, 6.20 Wee Willie Nail, 6.50 Reverse Polarity, 7.20 Walking The Walk, 7.50 Trickey Trix, 8.20 Ellis Boyd Redding.
MARKET RASEN: 1.15 William Cody, 1.50 Mr Mafia, 2.25 Oslo, 3.00 Giovanni Change, 3.35 Penpal, 4.10 Trumps Benefit, 4.40 Egbert.
NOTTINGHAM: 5.05 Looking For Lynda, 5.35 Vape, 6.10 Chimed, 6.40 Dal Mallart, 7.10 Ashky, 7.40 Swiss Ace, 8.10 Washraa.
RIPON: 5.15 The Ridler, 5.45 Roach Power, 6.15 Mews House, 6.45 Imperium Blue, 7.15 Rukwa, 7.45 Eligible, 8.15 Sweet Mist.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.26 Street Poet, 5.56 Gatecrasher Girl, 6.26 Power On, 6.56 Silver Bullet Lady, 7.26 Frame Rate, 7.56 Golden Gal, 8.26 Imperial Khan.
DOUBLE: Megallan and Saga.
