Horse Racing Tips: Ladies man Beckett can land Cheshire Oaks in style
WITHOUT being too unkind to the 10 fillies declared for this afternoons Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks (2.25pm), we are extremely unlikely to see one half as good as last years winner.
John Gosdens Enable landed this prize 12 months ago before going on to win the Epsom equivalent, the King George and the Arc in a truly stunning campaign.
It would be remarkable enough if one of these fillies could win any of those three contests, let alone all three.
Gosden and Dettori are represented again in the race, this time with Award Winning who won nicely at Wetherby last month.
The fact that she doesnt even hold an Investec Oaks entry tells you she may not even be above average and she needs to step up to take a hand here.
Aidan OBrien has won this Listed prize five times over the last 10 years and saddles three in his attempt to land number six.
Jockey bookings imply that Magic Wand is the stables first string as she is the mount of Ryan Moore.
She has yet to win in two starts to date but expect her to leave her third place finish at Leopardstown last month well behind.
There is no doubting that she has the profile of a real improver, but she is favourite purely based on her connections and has to improve massively on what she has achieved to date.
Stablemate Dramatically was well beaten behind Soliloquy at Newmarket last time but will probably be seen in a better light over this trip.
However, the one I like the look of is Ralph Becketts KINAESTHESIA at 9/2 with Ladbrokes.
We only saw her the once last season when she won her Nottingham maiden, but she won in eye-catching fashion and looks an exciting prospect.
There isnt a trainer saddling a runner today at Chester in better form than Beckett and this looks the ideal starting point for her on her way to Epsom.
Beckett has proved himself a fantastic trainer of fillies, having already won the Epsom equivalent on two occasions with Look Here and Talent.
Im not saying that Kinaesthesia is in their class, but she looks a filly with a bright future and is undoubtedly in the best possible hands.
Irish raider Princess Yaiza is certainly worth a mention, as her shred trainer Gavin Cromwell wouldnt be travelling her over for the fun of it.
She won well twice at Dundalk before Christmas, but has struggled since being upped in class and is plenty short enough in the market all things being considered.
The draw is all important at Chester for the Boodles Diamond Handicap (3.00pm) where my fancy LOOKS A MILLION has bagged the ideal spot in stall one.
Form figures of 59360 hardly inspire confidence in the three-year-old, but they dont paint a true picture.
Joseph Tuites runner has been plying her trade at a much higher level and was hampered last time.
She ran in some hot races last term, including when third and fifth respectively in Listed contests at Chantilly and Newbury.
With her stable in decent form, she looks worthy of support from an ideal draw at 8/1 with Coral.
Obviously, the likes of Formidable Kitt and Spoof are huge dangers, but Im hoping Looks A Million can stay out of trouble from the front.
POINTERS TODAY
Kinaesthesia 2.25pm Chester
Looks A Million e/w 3.00pm Chester
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