News Every Day | 08 May 2024, 12:34

Chester Boodles May Festival 2024 betting preview – Day two

TheSun.co.uk

NOW that the excitement from day one of the Chester May Festival has worn off, let’s look ahead to day two of the May Festival on the Roodee.

Headlined by the Listed Dee Stakes, and the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes where Point Lonsdale looks to get back to winning ways on a track he has tasted success at.

Day two of the Chester May Festival looks to have a bit of everything with some competitive handicaps to top up today’s action.

You can also find the best odds and betting offers with some of my go-to horse racing betting sites.

Chester May Festival 13:30 – CAA Steller Handicap

As expected with a 5f 15y sprint around Chester, this is one to tread carefully with, and each way bets are the name of the game here.

The course specialist ROMAN DRAGON is one who you could set your clock to around here and you could run here blindfolded and he would still find his way to the finishing line.

With form figures of 511243148412215 around the Roodee, Roman Dragon comes with an obvious chance in a tight betting heat.

He has been running with credit in big handicaps over in Bahrain, and with a translation of that form to a track he is fond of, he can make light of his weight concession and put up a bold showing.

Bet on Roman Dragon to win with bet365

Chester 14:05 – British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes

Interestingly, Jessica Harrington is sent over Passing Time to contest a maiden here, and that automatically makes him a runner of massive interest.

The current favourite Rashabar ran in a maiden behind the exciting Richard Hannon trained Hawaiian, but one that I am going to take a chance on each way is the James Owen trained, BRETTON WOOD.

Sent off 16/1 for a Newmarket maiden that contained recent Newmarket Guineas Novice Stakes winner The Actor, Bretton Wood ran with a lot of credit to be only beaten just over 3 lengths.

Very much ran like a horse who would learn a lot from the experience, and back on a more conventional track there is no reason why he can not take a big step forward from that for a trainer who is quickly making a name for himself.

At 12/1, I think he is very much overpriced here.

Bet on Bretton Wood to win with Betfred

Chester 2:35 – Halliwell Jones Handicap

While he has to carry 9st 6lb, this should be relatively straightforward for the lightly raced NEVER SO BRAVE.

In his two runs last season he finished second, to two future Group 1 winners in Ancient Wisdom and Vandeek.

Having made no mistake on his comeback this season at Thirsk a mark of 94 could well underestimate this son of No Nay Never.

Drawn in 3, and with plenty of pace on his inside, this should be easy for Ryan Moore to keep things simple and take this on his way to bigger and better things.

Bet on Never So Brave to win with Coral

Chester 15:05 – Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes

This is a cracking little race where cases can be made for all five runners. But the one that interests me the most is JAYAREBE.

Having won a Newmarket novice over 7f he was thrown straight into Group 1 company on Arc weekend at Longchamp, and aquated himself with great credit to finish 6 lengths 7th to the recent 2000 Guineas 2nd, Rosallion.

Having been sent off 11/1 for his seasonable debut in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket, he took the step up in trip in his stride to win by a ready 3 ¼ lengths.

He has to concede 3lb all around here, but with the likelihood that he might get his own way in front, Sean Leavy can take full advantage of the situation.

Bet on Jayarebe to win at Ladbrokes

Chester 3:40 – tote.co.uk Supporting Racing Ormonde Stakes

The defection of two-time winner Hamish blows this wide open, and I am going to take a chance with the course winner POINT LONSDALE.

There can be question marks about all seven runners, but I’m hoping that with the drop in grade and back on a course where he has tasted success can get Point Lonsdale back to winning ways.

He showed some good form last season when finishing close up behind the likes of Emily Upjohn, Hukum, Auguste Rodin, King Of Steel, and Spirit Dance. Known to race lazily, Point Lonsdale has all the ability to win this, and an easy 1m5f should be right up his street.

On recent running, he looks at the pace angle here, and leaving Ryan Moore alone upfront may be the downfall of the rest of his rivals.

Bet on Point Lonsdale to win with Betzone

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).