Stephen Welch

Chester

• 3:17

  Vintage Clarets

  VINTAGE CLARETS is well treated on his best form and returns to a race he won from an 8lbs higher mark two years ago. He also finished second in the Epsom Dash from 3lbs higher earlier this season, proving that good-to-soft ground suits him well. Stall one could require some luck for a horse usually held up, but Warren Fentiman’s 3lbs claim further eases his burden. If the gaps appear, he has every chance of striking again.

  Lost @ 3/1-£1.00
• 3:53

  Two CommandersNAP

  TWO COMMANDERS looks capable of following up after a progressive victory over seven furlongs at Musselburgh last month. He had already shaped well on his handicap debut at Catterick and that form has since worked out nicely. A 3lbs rise looks fair, while stall two is a major positive around Chester and he has already shown he handles good-to-soft ground. With further improvement still likely, he appears to hold strong claims of making it two wins in succession.

  Lost @ 2/1-£1.00

Ballinrobe

• 6:40

  Stoneyford LadyE/W

  STONEYFORD LADY looks to have plenty going for her from a handicapping perspective and makes each-way appeal at 17/2. She ran a creditable race when fourth in a competitive 20-runner handicap at Galway last time, keeping on well without ever quite being able to land a serious blow, and that form looks strong enough to make her interesting in this company. She gets in here from a mark of 100 and the booking of 4lb claimer Danny Power effectively brings her down to 96, which gives her every chance at the weights if reproducing that Galway effort. With that big-field run under her belt and conditions looking suitable, Stoneyford Lady looks capable of getting much more closely involved this time and worth taking a chance at more than decent odds.

  17/2