Ladbrokes Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPus Race)

Two wins from five races for Aidan O'Brien, awarded a Listed contest at Leopardstown (1m6f, good) as he was battling back strongly when bumped in the closing stages; good second of 22 in major 1m5f handicap there next time but ended on a poor note; blinkered all starts but now visored and also gelded, following his 30,000gns sale in October; needs improvement but he gallops on as if he could be an out-and-out stayer.

Useful juvenile hurdler, staying on well for third of 22 in handicap at Cheltenham Festival; close, never-nearer third of 14 at Chelmsford (1m6f, AW) next time was improved Flat form and also gave this trip some appeal, but he did not back up that performance when favourite at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) on Sunday and now has the widest draw.

Won 2m5f Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot in 2023 and 2m Curragh Group 3 last November; also effective in top, big-field handicaps, having been seriously involved in the Cesarewitch and Irish Cesarewitch; return to his peak (after an easy-to-forgive reappearance) would see him on the premises but wide draw may play against that.

Improved in handicaps in 2023 and 2024, for instance going close at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) last term, and she's reappeared with creditable runs in four-runner Listed and Group 3 races this season; usually ridden by Kaiya Fraser; needs better still but she's respected on first run here.

6-16 on AW and shaped as if better than ever 12 days ago when making up plenty of late ground in a warm but steadily run 2m race won by Caballo De Mar at Southwell; return to turf poses the big question as he's been always behind in major races in his only three turf starts, 11th of 16 in this (12-1) last year.