15:35 Chester

Wednesday 8 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:3517:05

MBNA Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 2m 42.91s

(7)

Arthur Kitt¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 109| BF

20/1

Won the Listed Chesham Stakes at last year's Royal Ascot meeting (7f, good to firm) and ran well behind Too Darn Hot and Line Of Duty in Group 3/Group 1 company. Disappointed on return, but a player on last year's form if he gets this trip.

Form: 11254-5

(4)

Dashing Willoughby²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 102

11/2

Wolverhampon winner (1m, AW) on debut last August. Beaten over 6L in Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster in October. Bettered that on reappearance at Newbury (1m2f, soft). Longer trip looks positive. Each-way potential.

Form: 128-2

(1)

Kaloor²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: B J Meehan

11/1

Scored with a fair bit in hand on sole juvenile start at Salisbury. Stepped up on that on reappearance. Hold King Edward VII entry, but will need to get heavily involved here on route to that and therefore needs more improvement.

Form: 1-3

(5)

King Ottokar²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: B A Curtis| T: C Fellowes| OR: 106

11/4

Improving profile and beat two of this field on reappearance in a Newbury conditions event (1m2f, soft) last month. Has decent claims on that evidence, and with rain around again.

Form: 19-1

(6)

Norway^p1¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

9/2

Won Listed Newmarket contest last October (1m2f, good to firm), though beaten favourite in French Group 1 when last seen. Holds plenty of big entries and cheekpieces now fitted. Looks a serious player, but bit to prove if it turns soft.

Form: 53114-

(8)

Sir Dragonet¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| D

13/2

Lovely pedigree and sprang a bit of a surprise when 14-1 on debut at Tipperary recently, but coming home an easy 3L winner (1m4½f, soft). Could be anything at this stage and he is a King Edward VII entry with at least each-way claims here.

Form: 1

(3)

Technician¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: M Meade| OR: 105| D

11/4

Reappeared to win comfortably at Leicester (1m4f, good) last month in novices' company. Stepped up significantly on that when beaten just over 1L in the Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial (1m2f, good to firm) latest. Has to be taken seriously.

Form: 3-12

Non-Runners

(2)

Gentile Bellini¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: A P O'Brien J: Wayne Lordan

Forecasts

King Ottokar (11/4), Technician (11/4), Norway (9/2), Dashing Willoughby (11/2), Sir Dragonet (13/2), Gentile Bellini (7/1), Kaloor (11/1), Arthur Kitt (20/1)

A fascinating renewal of a race won seven times out of the last 10 by an Aidan O'Brien representative, the last five of those being sent off as favourite. Again, he has three very interesting runners here in Norway, Gentile Bellini and Sir Dragonet, none of whom would be shock winners. However, both Technician and KING OTTOKAR look to be making good progress themselves and with soft ground likely by race time, the latter gets the vote over a trip that can also draw more from him. Arthur Kitt and Dashing Willoughby are others of interest.