Chester May Festival 2016: Day Three Preview

The pick of Aidan O’Brien’s duo in the Dee Stakes would appear to be Cook Islands, who opened his account in a Navan maiden in October and wasn't disgraced when fourth on his return in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown last month. That was his first try in pattern company and it's interesting that Ryan Moore chose to ride him over Idaho and Beacon Rock that day, with that pair both having smart form to their name as two-year-olds. That suggests Cook Islands had been showing up well on the Ballydoyle gallops and he remains capable of better with that run under his belt.

He is joined in the line-up by stablemate Housesofparliament, a comfortable winner of a Dundalk maiden on his most recent start. He looks to be the stable second string on paper, but that failed to stop Port Douglas running a big race in Thursday's Chester Vase and he can't be ruled out with any confidence. Linguistic is a clear pick on Timeform ratings and he showed plenty of ability when runner-up in maidens at Doncaster and Newmarket at two. He made a successful return in a valuable nine-runner sales race at the latter track last month and, with the possibility of further improvement, he could offer the stiffest resistance to the Ballydoyle colts.

Sir Michael Stoute trained subsequent Derby winner Kris Kin to land this race in 2003, but his Platitude cannot even run in the Derby as he’s been gelded since last season. He’s an intriguing contender here though, behind a number of these on form but likely to be suited by the step up to this distance (dam won over a mile and three-quarters) and representing the connections responsible for current Derby second favourite Midterm.

Viren's Army ran a good race race behind So Mi Dar in the Investec Derby Trial and shouldn't be inconvenienced by the tight nature of this track. He could outrun his odds, but Ban Shoof (beaten in a handicap off an official rating of 77 last time) and Kingston Kurrajong (maiden winner at this track) have it all to do on form. 

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Wicklow Brave, whose big success came in the 2015 County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, makes his return to action in the Ormonde Stakes. He proved progressive in his first season on the Flat last year and, having signed off with a third in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him bounce back after a below par effort when last seen over hurdles in November.

Oriental Fox made a successful 2015 return in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot (in which Wicklow Brave was a disappointing favourite, probably failing to stay the marathon trip as he finished fourth) and produced some smart efforts thereafter, including when beaten just a short head under top weight in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket. He’s bound to be on the premises, though could run in a listed race at Ascot on Saturday.

Sir Michael Stoute is one of three to have saddled five winners of this race, and the only one still in active service (the others are Harry Wragg and his son Geoff Wragg). Stoute has Dartmouth entered this time around, and this colt built on his progressive three-year-old campaign when making a winning return in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Chelmsford (rearranged from Newbury) three weeks ago. He’s the type to improve further and is a major player here.

Cymro was also progressive as a three-year-old in 2015, winning a maiden and two handicaps, and he too made a successful return last month, in another handicap at Thirsk (big field). He could well feature prominently here with even more to come, though his chance would be increased by rain (dry forecast) given three of his four wins have come on ground softer than good.

Aidan O’Brien has won three of the last eight renewals and relies on Father Christmas this year. He’ll need to step up on form, but he’s only had four starts and shaped like a horse who’d stay this trip when a much-improved two lengths third to Balios in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot (in first-time cheekpieces) when last seen in June.

It’s difficult to know what to expect from Blue Rambler on his first start for Ian Williams having made his last four outings over hurdles for John Ferguson (bought for £48,000), while Elidor doesn't have too much to find on Timeform ratings, but has done most of his racing at a lower level.