East India Dock can make a triumphant return to the Flat in the Ladbrokes Chester Cup.
The four-year-old has not yet raced on the level since joining James Owen but enjoyed an excellent first season over obstacles, with a hat-trick of impressive victories followed by a close-up third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
East India Dock showed decent form for James Fanshawe, with wins at Salisbury and Goodwood supplemented by some good efforts in defeat, but his jumping performances suggest he is an improved horse since his last Flat start, when finishing fourth in the Mallard Handicap at Doncaster in September.
When you compare his hurdles mark of 147 to his Flat rating of 89, he does look well treated and 3600m around a tight track like Chester should be right up his street.
The Foxes is difficult to oppose in the Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes.
Andrew Balding's charge returns to British action off the back of two excellent efforts on foreign soil over the winter months, with a fourth-place finish behind Sha Tin superstar Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup followed by a narrow defeat to the globetrotting Rebel's Romance in Qatar.
He sets the standard on ratings in this Group Two contest and given he is usually ridden on the pace, stall one looks ideal.
Two Tempting catches the eye in the opening CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap.
Jonathan Portman's runner has seven victories on his CV and is only 1lb higher in the weights than when scoring with something to spare at this track last summer.
He has not managed a podium finish in four subsequent outings, hence his fall in the ratings, but he was not beaten far when fourth at Newbury last time out and a return to Chester could see him bounce back to his very best.
Tom Dascombe loves a winner on the Roodee and he will surely have high hopes for Auld Toon Loon in the Precision Facades Handicap.
Another horse who has excelled over the course and distance in the past, the six-year-old bolted up on his stable debut at Bath in October and went on to finish fourth in the November Handicap and then third in the Listed Quebec Stakes.
He reverts to handicap company on his return and should be ready enough to do himself justice.
Ascot punters are advised to put their faith in Brave Mission in the curtain-raising Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap.
Having shaped with promise in his first couple of novice events behind talented horses in The Waco Kid and Chancellor, Ralph Beckett's Frankel colt made it third time lucky with a ready success on the all-weather at Kempton in September and an opening mark of 91 for his handicap bow may underestimate him.
Michael Bell has his string in excellent form at the moment and his Dorney Lake looks well placed to complete a hat-trick in the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Italy Handicap.
The ex-Godolphin four-year-old changed hands for just 18,000 guineas in October and is already looking a shrewd purchase following wins at Yarmouth and Doncaster.
Whether it is the change of yard or a gelding operation that has made the difference, or a combination of both, Dorney Lake looks to be in the form of his life and a 4lb rise for his latest triumph does not look insurmountable. - Press Association
TAB is betting on 6 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.
CHESTER: Race 1: 14.30 Two Tempting, Race 2: 15.05 Orionis, Race 3: 15.35 The Foxes, Race 4: 16.05 EAST INDIA DOCK (NAP), Race 5: 16.40 Auld Toon Loon, Race 6: 17.10 Small Fry, Race 7: 17.45 Surrey Belle.
ASCOT: Race 1: 14.50 Brave Mission, Race 2: 15.20 Ruby's Angel, Race 3: 15.55 Spirited Style, Race 4: 16.25 Dorney Lake, Race 5: 17.00 Hucklesbrook, Race 6: 17.35 I Am Me, Race 7: 18.10 Poncho.
MARKET RASEN: Race 1: 15.10 Bluenose Belle, Race 2: 15.45 All Well And Good, Race 3: 16.15 Beat The Edge, Race 4: 16.50 A Definite Getaway, Race 5: 17.23 Bethpage, Race 6: 18.00 Iron Heart.
HEREFORD: Race 1: 17.55 Chestnut Pete, Race 2: 18.30 Don Virginia, Race 3: 19.05 Musique De Fee, Race 4: 19.40 The Gypsy Davey, Race 5: 20.15 Captain Attridge, Race 6: 20.50 Rascallion.
NOTTINGHAM: Race 1: 18.15 Rebel Star, Race 2: 18.50 Fashionelle, Race 3: 19.25 Excellent Believe, Race 4: 20.00 Ravishing Beauty, Race 5: 20.35 Boatswain, Race 6: 21.10 Beltane.
RIPON: Race 1: 18.45 Alaskan Light, Race 2: 19.20 Hill O Rue, Race 3: 19.55 Abate, Race 4: 20.30 The Good Biscuit, Race 5: 21.05 Dubawi Time, Race 6: 21.35 Pastoral Way.
DOUBLE: The Foxes and East India Dock (Chester, Races 3 and 4).