Adan O’Brien can bounce back from a disappointing Guineas weekend by enhancing his Epsom Derby prospects via a Boodles Chester Vase success for Grosvenor Square.
The Ballydoyle maestro has picked up this Group Three prize a record 10 times, with the likes of Ruler Of The World, Soldier Of Fortune and Treasure Beach using the race as a stepping stone to Classic glory.
Grosvenor Square showed plenty of promise during his juvenile campaign, starting off with a Galway maiden win, despite showing clear signs of greenness.
The Beresford Stakes may have come just a little too soon in his development, but the son of Galileo caught the eye making late headway in finishing third behind Deepone.
Given almost another month to mature mentally, as well as physically, he justified favouritism in the Group Three Eyrefield Stakes over nine furlongs at Leopardstown, making all to score by more than four lengths in a most authoritative manner.
The omens are certainly good for Grosvenor Square training on and enjoying a stepping up in distance at three, as half-brother Santiago claimed the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby.
O’Brien will be looking to complete a hat-trick of Weatherbys E-Passport Cheshire Oaks victories but could be denied by his son Joseph in this Listed contest.
His Galileo Dame was given a confident ride by Dylan Browne McMonagle on her return to action in a Leopardstown maiden last month and fairly flew home once seeing daylight late on.
She pulled three-and-a-half lengths clear of the reopposing Rubies Are Red over 10 furlongs on testing ground and raced as though this track and slightly longer trip will be right up her street.
Stash The Cash is taken to kick off proceedings by prevailing in the CAA Stellar Handicap for Tim Easterby.
The Profitable gelding landed some nice bets when bolting home to break his duck at Catterick last month and has the scope to cope with an 8lb rise up the ratings after being unexposed as a two-year-old.
A low draw is usually crucial in the CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes but it may be worth stretching out as far as stall four to side with Flicka’s Girl.
David Loughnane’s filly blitzed her rivals on debut at Wolverhampton and was then made favourite for what looked a hot contest at Bath.
The daughter of Sergei Prokofiev did not quite last home after leading early on but the feeling is that she will have learned something in defeat and warrants another chance.
Kings Merchant has plenty going for him in the tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap, starting out from the inside berth and having Oisin Murphy on board.
IRISH NEWS YANKEE
NAP
Grosvenor Square (3.40 Chester)
DOUBLE
Galileo Dame (3.05 Chester)
TREBLE
Stash The Cash (1.30 Chester)
YANKEE
Flicka’s Girl (2.05 Chester)
