Chester Races 2016 Day 2 Tips – Niall Cronin

Aidan O’Brien will continue to use Chester to prepare some of his potential Epsom candidates and despite being ever so green from flag fall on Wednesday, Somehow, which I recommended, still managed to win the Chesire Oaks and she remains a best priced 20/1 with BoyleSports for the Epsom Oaks.

Ranger Concerns
As inexperienced and green as Somehow was, the key thing is that she still managed to win under a customary cool ride from Ryan Moore when in fairness it didn’t look a likely outcome at the half way stage.

Aidan O’Brien has made no secret of his concerns for US Army Ranger in Thursday’s Chester Vase but like his stable companion,

it would appear that US Army Ranger can afford to be quite green around here and still come out on top of the six-runner race.

Even after his debut win at the Curragh (on very different ground) US Army Ranger was very babyish in the winners enclosure so Chester will be like nothing he has experienced before. The depth of this race doesn’t look to have much to oppose the favourite with and High Grounds would look next best on recent form but it’s hard to see him overturn the current Epsom Derby favourite on this occasion.

Dark Horse For Fahey
Elsewhere on day two of the Chester May meeting, the Boodles Diamond Handicap will see nine runners go to post and of the five who are handicap debutantes in this race, it is Dark Devil who is picked to run a big race.

A maiden winner at the back end of last season, it was third time lucky on that occasion after being previously placed second in two other maidens, one of which came at Chester back in August.

Richard Hannon’s Storm Rising is going to prove difficult to beat but Dark Devil has a lovely racing weight and could be unexposed at this point so is sided with for Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan.

Koukash to call the Hymn
Western Hymn has solid Group 1 form that makes him a worthy favourite for the Huxley Stakes but Richard Fahey could be the man to look towards again as Gabrial looks to have a chance for owner Marwan Koukash.

There is no secret that Koukash has a massive love for Chester and runs as many winners as he can there and Gabrial is not with a chance if managing to return to some of his best form, the most notable run being behind Solow at Ascot last season.

The seven-year-old didn’t land a blow so far this season but this drop in class should see him back in his comfort zone and he’s given the nod to oblige over Western Hymn.

Recommended Bets:
Gabrial – 2:40 Chester
US Army Ranger – 3:10 Chester
Dark Devil – 3:45 Chester

*Prices correct at time of publication