Lambourn to deliver vase victory

Lambourn can maintain Aidan O'Brien's excellent record in the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes when he makes his first start on British turf on Wednesday.

The master of Ballydoyle has trained 10 winners of the Group Three contest, run over 2500m and traditionally considered a trial for the Derby.

Lambourn, who is by Australia and out of the Group-placed Gossamer Wings, won twice as a juvenile before failing to fire in his final 2024 start when last of five in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

His comeback in the Ballysax in March was more fruitful, however, as he finished second to stablemate Delacroix when stepping up in trip at Leopardstown.

Wemightakedlongway, fifth in the race, has upheld the form since by winning the Salsabil Stakes and Lambourn's chances are boosted further by the vote of confidence he has received from Ryan Moore as the jockey has opted to ride him over fellow Ballydoyle hope Thrice.

The step up in trip poses a question as his dam was a sprinter, but it was in the late stages of the 2000m Ballysax Stakes that he began to pass horses, so his sire's stamina looks to have been passed down.

The same trainer has a key player in the Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks in Minnie Hauk, who bids to hit the right note on her third racecourse start.

The Frankel three-year-old ran twice last term, finishing behind the aforementioned Wemightakedlongway on debut and then winning a Leopardstown maiden next time out.

She makes her new season debut at Chester and steps up significantly in trip, but as she kept on well on both career starts to date, the extended distance looks set to be within her abilities.

On the same card Karl Burke's Ali Shuffle can defend her unbeaten record in the Caa Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes run over 1000m.

The juvenile has two runs over the same trip to her name and has come out on top each time, taking a Redcar novice by two lengths in early April and then a Beverley contest later in the same month.

Three subsequent winners have come out of those two contests since, and Ali Shuffle can continue to progress as she takes on higher quality company on the Roodee in the silks of Nick Bradley Racing.

Away from Chester, there is National Hunt action at Newton Abbot, where Dan Skelton's Roxanne appeals in the Happy 60th Birthday John Garton Novices' Hurdle.

A German-bred mare with Flat form for both Markus Klug and Ed Dunlop, the five-year-old won her first start over obstacles at Ayr in April and looks able to strike again with that experience under her belt. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

CHESTER: Race 1: 14.30 Ali Shuffle, Race 2: 15.05 Redorange, Race 3: 15.35 Minnie Hauk, Race 4: 16.05 LAMBOURN (NAP), Race 5: 16.40 Bob Mali, Race 6: 17.10 Marnier, Race 7: 17.45 Intervention.

NEWTON ABBOT: Race 1: 14.45 Mayhem Mya, Race 2: 15.15 Roxanne, Race 3: 15.45 El Rojo Grande, Race 4: 16.15 Mairis Icon, Race 5: 16.50 A Definite Getaway, Race 6: 17.20 Chabadatika.

KELSO: Race 1: 15.25 Wee Alki, Race 2: 15.55 Lucky Manifest, Race 3: 16.25 Heart Above, Race 4: 17.00 Magic Wave, Race 5: 17.35 Bellbird, Race 6: 18.05 Luckie Devil.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.28 Top Of The Class, Race 2: 19.00 Star Of Light, Race 3: 19.30 Ironist, Race 4: 20.00 Havana Joy, Race 5: 20.30 Silver Trumpet, Race 6: 21.00 Dashing Harry, Race 7: 21.30 Cheeky Stanley, Race 8: 22.00 Lady Odette.

FONTWELL: Race 1: 18.35 Ballyhiho, Race 2: 19.10 Easy Love, Race 3: 19.40 Jack Sparrow Grey, Race 4: 20.10 Jongleur d'Etoiles, Race 5: 20.40 Dysania, Race 6: 21.10 Kylenoe Dancer.

ALL TO COME: Ali Shuffle and Lambourn (Chester, Races 1 and 4).