Valentine Girl put the seal on a marvellous two days for trainer Barry Hills as she laid down her Oaks credentials at Chester yesterday. Her victory in the Shadwell Stud Cheshire Oaks came just 35 minutes after stable-mate Rainbow High romped home in the Tote Chester Cup.
On Tuesday, Hills took the first prize in the Chester Vase after Peshtigo was promoted from second place.
Hills's tally at the course is believed to be around the 100 mark. "I couldn't tell you exactly the number - it's a bit difficult to keep count after all this time," he said. "But I do know this is one of the best weeks I've had here."
Valentine Girl produced a gutsy performance under Pat Eddery, defying several challenges before gaining a three-quarters of a length victory over Signorina Cattiva in the Listed contest.
The Tote and Coral offer only 16-1 on the filly for the Oaks, but Ladbrokes and William Hill are less taken by her chances at Epsom and quote 25-1.
Ben Hanbury is another trainer enjoying a rich vein of form, and yesterday he was on the mark with Desert Fury and Enfilade.
Desert Fury became the second juvenile winner for the trainer - he scored with Dandy Night at Newmarket over the weekend - when seeing off Distinctly Well in the Capital Bank Maiden Stakes.
Enfilade swept into the lead in the final furlong to thwart the Hills-trained Bangalore in the Cheshire Regiment Handicap.
Former England international David Platt was congratulated by Michael Owen after Platt's horse Elegant Lady won the opening Roodeye Handicap.
Sadian looks the best bet in today's feature £60,000-added Group Three Ormonde Stakes. John Dunlop's charge produced a performance full of potential when landing the Lanes End Stakes at Newbury last month, defeating The Glow Worm by three quarters of a length.
Pushed along by Pat Eddery over three furlongs out, the four-year-old swept through inside the last to lead home the 11-runner field. That success augurs well for the future and he warrants the nap.
Course specialist Westcourt Magic is the pick in the opening Hill Dickenson Handicap (Showcase Race). Mick Easterby's charge has shown his effectiveness at this track with three victories over course and distance, including two last season.
Look to the bottom of the handicap to find the winner of the Wynn Handicap. The Mick Channon-trained Knobbleeneeze is a tough and versatile performer who began the season well, finishing in the runner-up spot behind Night Chorus on his seasonal bow at Doncaster last month.
Aidan O'Brien appears determined to get back on the Classic trail this Sunday. O'Brien, whose Orpen and Sunspangled disappointed in the 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively at Newmarket last weekend, provided half of the 14 colts declared yesterday for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
They include the unbeaten Tchaikovsky and last month's 2000 Guineas Trial winner Saffron Walden, a pair whom Ladbrokes quote at 20 to 1 and 25 to 1 respectively for the Derby.
O'Brien has also declared his Lingfield Derby Trial entries Cupid and High King for the 10-furlong event, plus Festival Hall, Lucky Legend and Musketeer.
