Betting
CHESTER MAY FESTIVAL | Three Value Picks to consider for Day One
An unbeaten two-year-old, A Group 2 third and a nicely handicapped runner make the list for day one of the Chester May Festival
Racing returns to the Roodee this week, with several top-class contests for flat racing fans to look forward to at the Chester May Festival.
The Cheshire course is recognised as the oldest racecourse still in operation, with racing taking place at the track for almost 500 years.
The May Festival is the racecourse’s pinnacle event, with several Group races on show for punters.
The first day sees the Cheshire Oaks and the Chester Vase Stakes headline the action in a cracking seven-race card.
Here are our three value picks for Day One of the Chester May Festival.
Armor – 1.45 Chester (11/4 – bet365)
A promising colt from Richard Hannon’s yard, Armor could show further improvement in the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes.
The two-year-old won his sole start with ease at Doncaster a few weeks back, travelling well and responding to Ryan Moore’s nudges in the final stages when El Caballo looked to pose a threat.
He does have to concede weight to filly Devious Angel, but Armor could show his potential in the step up in class here with a tidy price of 11/4.
Imperial Force – 2.45 Chester (15/2 – Ladbrokes)
Andrew Balding’s gelding showed several hints of promise last season as a two-year-old, finishing a length behind Creative Force in a maiden stakes before claiming second in the Group 2 Norton Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The three-year-old has underperformed so far this season, finishing five lengths behind Excel Power at Brighton last week.
If Balding can revitalize the gelding for this contest, then his price of 15/2 is very tempting for his handicap mark here.
Praxeology – 4.45 Chester (8/1 – bet365)
Fresh off the back of his victory at Southwell last week, Praxeology returns to action with a seriously competitive handicap mark in this company if he is back to his best.
Sporting a mark of 80, the four-year-old was successful at Chester back in 2019 when he was 8lbs higher in the ratings.
David Loughnane’s gelding could be well be in the mix here, with his price of 8/1 hinting huge value in this 7f handicap.
