Matt Chapman: There’ll be no clowning around with Circus on day two at Chester

Back to Chester Thursday for four races on ITV on ground very much softened up by the rain.

Let’s get straight to it, and the 13.50 is a 5f handicap. I think the inside runners will go very hard here and that might set it up for CAMACHO CHIEF who loves some juice in the ground and looks to have good each-way claims for sprint king Michael Dods.

We step up in class and distance for the 1m 2f Listed Dee Stakes at 14.25. Ballydoyle have two entries and Ryan Moore has picked CIRCUS MAXIMUS over Mohawk and his runs as a juvenile in Group races suggest he should be good enough.

Circus Maximus has a Derby entry so the trip should be no issue.

It’s back to handicap company at 15.00 for the long sprint over an extended 7f. KING OF TONGA goes in soft ground and ran a cracker on return at Beverley. Draw could have been kinder, but a great chance for Richard Fahey.

And finally the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes over an extended 1m5f at 15.35. Course winner MAGIC CIRCLE bolted up here in the Chester Cup 12 months ago before winning convincingly over two miles in a Group 3 race at Sandown. Reportedly broke a blood vessel in the Melbourne Cup last November, but if returning anywhere near his best can turn over the favourite Kew Gardens for trainer Ian Williams. He loves this place and will stay on strongest.

So best of luck and prey for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

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