Rest of today´s U.K. flat racing

The rest of the Chester card is also good and features the listed Cheshire Oaks at 15.15 CET. Aidan O´Brien has an excellent record here, but the stable is not really in top form yet, and his runner Dance on By (Johnny Murtagh) cannot be fancied on the form she has shown so far. We prefer Gertrude Bell (John Gosden/ William Buick) and Myplacelater (David Elsworth/ Dane O´Neill), both winners at Newbury last time out, while Champagne Lifestyle (Barry and Michael Hills) is another interesting candidate. She is out of the good German mare White Rose and Barry Hills is another trainer who likes to target this meeting.

The meeting starts with the Lily Agnes Stakes over 5 furlongs at14.45, one of the most significant early season 2yo races. David Evans won this last year and has juveniles in top form; he saddles 3 of the 8 runners, with clear preference for dual winner Bathwick Bear (Jimmy Fortune). The 5 furlongs handicap here at 16.15 is almost as difficult to solve as the Chester Cup. Sprint specialist David Nicholls saddles 3 runners, while top-weíght Look Busy (Alan Berry/ Mark Coumbe) would have a great chance if at her best. However our main fancies are Sohraab (Hughie Morrison/ Travis Block), the 2009 winner, and course specialist Green Manalishi (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan).

There is also flat racing on the all weather at Southwell, where the card includes two above average handicaps (for this track). Academy Blues (David Nicholls/ Paul Quinn) is going for a fourtimer in the 7 furlongs race at 15.25. However he has gone up a lot in the weights, and in a very open race we prefer consistent Lochan Mor (Michael Bell/ Steve Drowne), course specialist Elusive Fame (Mark Johnston/ Royston Ffrench) and bottom-weight Flores Sea (Ruth Carr/ Paul Pickard), up only 5 lbs for an easy CD win l3 days ago. The 1 1/2 mile race at 17.10 is equally tricky. Ella (Alan Swinbank/ Robert Winston) and Lucky Unt (Brendan Powell/ Fergus Sweeney) were both runners-up last time, while Veloso (Jeremy Glover/ Simon Pearce) has been first or second on 9 of his 10 career starts. However we like Bothy (Brian Ellison/ Tom Eaves) best; he is very lightly raced on the flat but won 3 times over hurdles in the winter and his handicap rating could be a gift.