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Vase victory on the cards forĀ  Grosvenor Square

Written by Press Association | May 7, 2024 7:00:19 PM

Aidan O'Brien can bounce back from a disappointing Guineas weekend by enhancing his Epsom Derby prospects via a Boodles Chester Vase success for Grosvenor Square.

The Ballydoyle maestro has picked up this Group Three prize a record 10 times, with the likes of Ruler Of The World, Soldier Of Fortune and Treasure Beach using the race as a stepping stone to Classic glory.

Grosvenor Square showed plenty of promise during his juvenile campaign, starting off with a Galway maiden win, despite showing clear signs of greenness.

The Beresford Stakes may have come just a little too soon in his development, but the son of Galileo caught the eye making late headway in finishing third behind Deepone.

Given almost another month to mature mentally, as well as physically, he justified favouritism in the Group Three Eyrefield Stakes over 1800m at Leopardstown, making all to score by more than four lengths in a most authoritative manner.

The omens are certainly good for Grosvenor Square training on and enjoying a stepping up in distance at three, as half-brother Santiago claimed the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby.

O'Brien will be looking to complete a hat-trick of Weatherbys E-Passport Cheshire Oaks victories but could be denied by his son Joseph in this Listed contest.

His Galileo Dame was given a confident ride by Dylan Browne McMonagle on her return to action in a Leopardstown maiden last month and fairly flew home once seeing daylight late on.

She pulled 3.5-lengths clear of the reopposing Rubies Are Red over 2000m on testing ground and raced as though this track and slightly longer trip will be right up her street.

Stash The Cash is taken to kick off proceedings by prevailing in the CAA Stellar Handicap for Tim Easterby.

The Profitable gelding landed some nice bets when bolting home to break his duck at Catterick last month and has the scope to cope with an 8lb rise up the ratings after being unexposed as a two-year-old.

A low draw is usually crucial in the CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes but it may be worth stretching out as far as stall four to side with Flicka's Girl.

David Loughnane's filly blitzed her rivals on debut at Wolverhampton and was then made favourite for what looked a hot contest at Bath.

The daughter of Sergei Prokofiev did not quite last home after leading early on there but the feeling is that she will have learned something in defeat and warrants another chance here.

Kings Merchant has plenty going for him in the tote.co.uk Saddle-Up For More Than Racing Handicap, starting out from the inside berth and having Oisin Murphy on board.

Ed Bethell's charge made amends for an odds-on loss at Newcastle when scoring with the minimum of fuss at Wolverhampton and we may still not have seen the best of this Bated Breath gelding.

Over the jumps at Kelso, Susan Corbett's Pinot Rouge can return to winning ways in the Howden Novices' Hurdle.

The six-year-old battled on to oblige at Doncaster and then performed with credit at big odds when dead-heating for fourth with Shanagh Bob behind Dancing City in Grade One company at Aintree.

Roccovango stands out in the Book Our Winning Post Restaurant Novices' Hurdle at Newton Abbot for the prolific partnership of Olly Murphy and Sean Bowen.

The eight-year-old has put in a couple of nice performances at Huntingdon since joining the Wilmcote handler, chasing home Nordic Tiger, who has won again since, before securing a straightforward triumph himself. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings on Wednesday. Here are the tips.

CHESTER: Race 1: 14.30 Stash The Cash, Race 2: 15.05 Flicka's Girl, Race 3: 15.35 Kings Merchant, Race 4: 16.05 Galileo Dame, Race 5: 16.40 GROSVENOR SQUARE (NAP), Race 6: 17.10 Gallantly, Race 7: 17.45 On A Session.

KELSO: Race 1: 14.40 Kingston Bridge, Race 2: 15.10 Pinot Rouge, Race 3: 15.40 Castletown, Race 4: 16.10 Call Me Jack, Race 5: 16.45 Lily Du Berlais, Race 6: 17.20 Pay The Piper, Race 7: 17.55 Kingston James, Race 8: 18.25 Go On Chez.

FONTWELL: Race 1: 18.10 Celtic Fortune, Race 2: 18.40 He Knows Better, Race 3: 19.10 My Gift To You, Race 4: 19.40 Aworkinprogress, Race 5: 20.10 Joe Cotton, Race 6: 20.40 Seasmoke, Race 7: 21.10 Lady Caro.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 19.00 Scenic, Race 2: 19.30 Falmouth Boy, Race 3: 20.00 Bella Taslina, Race 4: 20.30 Giant, Race 5: 21.00 Midnight Drive, Race 6: 21.30 Dark Dreamer, Race 7: 22.00 Fictional.

DOUBLE: Galileo Dame and Grosvenor Square (Chester, Races 4 and 5).