Riyadian looks the logical choice to land the Group Three Ormonde Stakes at Chester today. Paul Cole's six-year-old has some top-class form to his name, including an eight-length third to Helissio in last year's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, and showed on his reappearance he is no back number.
Contesting the Group Three Gordon Richards Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Sandown last month, he travelled well for a long way on the very soft ground but became outpaced in the closing stages and finished third, beaten four lengths behind Germano.
The sharp nature of the Roodeye course often catches out inexperienced animals but Riyadian seems to go well on any type of track and can prove too strong for his rivals, of whom the biggest danger may be Memorise.
Punters seeking a longer-priced success should follow Albert The Bear for the William Hare Wynn Handicap. Both of Albert The Bear's successes last term came at this idiosyncratic course, including a success in this contest where the son of Puissance handed out a three-length beating to Knobbleneeze.
Once again, the draw has not been unkind to him positioning the five-year-old in stall six which must give him an excellent chance to gain an all-important prominent early pitch near the rails.
Higher in the weights and racing on a faster surface than he scored upon last term, there will be plenty willing to oppose Albert The Bear.
But the old adage "horses for courses" is more applicable around Chester than any other track and with the Jack Berry yard in great form, Albert The Bear can bounce back to form.
The Capital Bank 185th Year Of The Dee Stakes can go to Trident from Michael Stoute's Newmarket stable. He is a good-topped colt with plenty of scope and could make a smart three-year-old.
Following an encouraging debut he easily won a maiden at Sandown last July by two and a half lengths from Silvertown but was not seen out again until Newmarket's Craven meeting. If he settles tomorrow Trident is worth an interest.
Berry, can complete an across-the-card double by taking the Bellshill Median Auction at Hamilton with French Connection.
Silence In Court swept to victory in an incident-packed Tote Chester Cup yesterday. Top Cees, whose success in this event three years ago, had sparked one of the biggest dramas in racing history, was unable to play a leading role after almost going over the running rail on the home turn.Silence In Court, available at 11 to 1 in the offices in the morning, was backed down to 13 to 2 at the off and justified the market confidence in style.The gelding, trained less than 10 miles away from the course at Tarporley, charged clear from the furlong-pole under Allan Mackay, to defeat Turnpole by two lengths.Trainer Alan Bailey, the winner of the event 10 years ago with Old Hubert, had initially entered Silence In Court for the race against the wishes of owner Peter Freeman.All eyes were again on Top Cees, the winner of the event last year as well as in 1995. His first success in this race had sparked February's successful High Court libel action, brought by trainer Lynda Ramsden, husband Jack and jockey Kieren Fallon.Two furlongs from home Jimmy Fortune did well to stay aboard when Top Cees collided with the running rail after being involved in barging match.
