Three picks for Friday at Chester....

Thursday, 8th May 2025

Three picks for Friday at Chester….

If you missed today’s pick….

In ATC today….

…. I swing the bat in the big handicaps on Day 3 at Chester….

The Chester Cup is the feature on the Friday card….

…. the off time is 3.05….

…. and my pick of the prices is DUKE OF OXFORD at 16s & 14s….

…. I’m on PEARL EYE at 20s in the 1.30….

…. and I’m on PENZANCE at 8s in the 3.40….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below…. 

Read on….

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It’s not impossible to win tomorrow’s Chester Cup (3.05) from a wide stall….

…. Metier did it from stall 14 in 2023….

…. and Making Miracles started in stall 16 when winning the 2019 renewal….

But the bottom line is this: 21 of the last 28 horses to make the first four in the race started in stall 10 or lower….

…. and that’s one thing the market very much reflects – with the top eight in the betting all running out of a stall no higher than 10….

Bashful Boy is one that isn’t particularly fancied from a low stall – stall 9….

…. but even he’s seen a bit of money overnight – being cut from 50s to 40s and 33s across the board….

…. as punters latch onto him as an e/w bet in a race where the bookies pay five (and in one case six) places….

Who’s Glen, Leinster, and Caballo De Mar are all pretty obvious contenders based on their respective prep runs….

…. but each is already well found in the betting – and I must look elsewhere….

Last year’s winner Zoffee will have been targeted at this race again and you’d expect him to run well again off a mark of 91 from stall 4….

…. and last year’s runner-up Emiyn – another course specialist – runs off a 2lb lower mark from stall 2….

They’re up at 12s & 14s respectively – and I could see why either would come in for support….

Me?

I can’t resist going against the grain and backing Michael Bell’s DUKE OF OXFORD at the general 16s & 14s….

He was laid out for the race last season and would probably have been among the favourites – but for his draw in stall 16….

It’s not much better this term – he’ll run from stall 14 tomorrow. But connections will have learnt something….

He’s almost entirely unexposed on turf….

You can take that as he’s got something to prove on the surface….

…. but this race has clearly nagged away – they’ve come back again like there’s unfinished business….

…. and I take that as a positive….

Tom Marquand is booked for the ride – he’s got a decent record at the track (as has the trainer)….

…. and I expect the 5yo to be match sharp with two good runs under his belt at Newcastle & Southwell….

The CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap (1.30) is a tricky puzzle….

…. but PEARL EYE looks a big price at 20s….

…. showing up again just 48-hours after finishing 5th over 7f at the track on Wednesday….

He didn’t help himself with a slow start – not for the first time – but he finished off well – and he’s obviously in good heart….

Tomorrow’s race is over half-a-furlong longer – that will help him….

…. they’ve stuck a 7lb claimer on him….

…. he’s got a better spot in the draw than he had on Wednesday….

…. and if he can get the start right – like he did when winning the Spring Mile at Doncaster off 84 two runs back….

…. he can outrun those odds – for sure….

PENZANCE at 8s is the pick in the Precision Facades Handicap (3.40)….

He was right out the back on the turn for home in Saturday’s Thirsk Hunt Cup….

…. but was really motoring up the straight passing horses on the wide outside – and finishing 5/13 beaten 4-lengths….

…. a very good effort considering where he was….

That mile was clearly inadequate test and back over the 10f trip tomorrow….

…. the trip over which all his five wins have been produced….

…. he’s a race-fit player who can improve again….

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with picks for Saturday….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd