Alan Thomson’s Tips: O’Brien has the Vase in his sights

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ISPOLINI (3.35) can spike a three-pronged Aidan O’Brien assault on the Chester Vase.

The Godolphin colt served it up to Sevenna Star in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown, with O’Brien’s Hunting Horn held in third. Ryan Moore gave Hunting Horn quite a sympathetic hold-up ride that day whereas Ispolini was always in the firing line and can confirm the form.

That was only his third career run and the first since scoring at Kempton in late November. Ispolini led or disputed for all of the 10 furlongs at Sandown and William Buick will probably adopt similar forcing tactics from a favourable low draw.

The O’Brien juggernaut was out in full force at Naas on Monday with Ryan Moore riding three winners and Ballydoyle strip a trio for action in the Cheshire Oaks. Moore is riding favourite Magic Wand but at an each-way price Forever Together catches the eye.

She had Magic Wand seven lengths adrift when placed in a one-mile maiden at Leopardstown in October and it is surprising there is such a discrepancy in their respective odds. I’ll wait and see how the market unfolds near the off.

SPOOF (3.00) has a handy pitch in stall three in which to make his mark in the 5f handicap.

Charlie Hills’s top weight was prominent throughout when a close third to Haddaf and in-form Diamond Dougal at Sandown and handles a bit of ease in the ground.

Formidable Kitt finished last of seven in a Group 3 at Chantilly but her fourth to Havana Grey in a Listed contest at Sandown last July puts Tom Dascombe’s filly in the mix.

The Dascombe-Richard Kingscote combo is always to be feared at their local track but the trainer sets a puzzle by saddling four runners in the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes, the traditional curtain-raiser to three days of top-class action on the Roodee.

Although beaten quite a long way at Windsor just nine days ago, DARK THUNDER (1.50) probably ran into two above-average juveniles in Emaraaty Ana and Blown By Wind. The colt should have learned plenty from that experience and stall six isn’t too bad a draw.

ARGENTELLO (4.05) represents the John Gosden-Frankie Dettori axis and this 1m 2f maiden is a bit softer than his previous two starts.

The colt kicked off with a narrow defeat at the hands of useful Proschema at Doncaster in March and was a slightly disappointing favourite (third) behind Nordic Lights and Raa Atoll at Newmarket’s Craven fixture. This slightly softer ground will help.

MY AMIGO (5.05) almost made all over a mile at Doncaster but was worn down close home by Roger Varian’s Jumira Prince. Although up 3lb, My Amigo has a good draw in stall five able to utilise the early speed he showed on Town Moor.

Recommended bets

• Chester 3.35 – Ispolini (9-2, Ladbrokes)
• Chester 1. 50 – Dark Thunder (7-1, Coral)
• Chester 3.00 – Spoof ew (5-1, bet365)
• Chester 4.05 – Argentello (2-1, bet365)
• Chester 5.05 – My Amigo ew (11-2, William Hill)

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