Racing tips: Return to sprinting looks the correct decision for Flaming Rib

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Ryan Moore has been in tremendous form at Chester this week, and he landed the goods for us with Star Of India winning nicely. I think that horse could be better than what we saw, and he'll prefer a much more conventional track as he looks a proper galloper. 

Chester 1:30

REVICH appears to have a lot in his favour today. He is drawn in Stall 1, get's arguably the best 7lb claimer in the country riding him and he's at a track he has a liking for, so odds of around 5/1 make him a bet in my eyes.

This race is a competitive one, so I wouldn't be getting involved on Revich if his odds drop any further, but at his current price I think he the value is still there. Revich has ran from the front before, so I'm hoping he breaks well so that Harry can get a lead on him. I'm not a big fan of backing apprentices at this track, as it's very niche and a bit of experience wouldn't go amiss, but Harry is a more than capable rider and he'll be instructed to to get the lead if he breaks.

A mark of 88 (95-7lb claim) makes him well handicapped as he has won at this track in a Class 2 off a mark of 91. Richard Spencer has had a couple of winners in the last fortnight, with one being ridden by Harry Davies.

Chester 3:15

A fourteen runner Chester Cup is always going to be competitive, but there's not as many runners as I thought, with three being NR. The horse which caught my eye as an improver for this trip is IT'S GOOD TO LAUGH.

This horse is unexposed at staying trips on the flat, with his further run to date being over 1m 4.5f at this track. He was running on strongly in that race, and won it with ease off a mark of 90, so I think this race is worth a go and at the odds, I think he is a cracking EW bet on the chance that he does stay. I think this horse will stay this trip as he went hurdling over the winter and won a race over 2m 3.5f, so he clearly has the stamina. Jumps racing and flat racing in terms of distance is different, as the flat is ran at a quicker tempo so it doesn't always work out that they stay, but I think that this race has been the plan for this horse since he last won on the flat at Chester last September. The way he won suggested he would be well in off his current mark of 94, so they probably thought they'd put him away from the flat to save his handicap mark and venture over hurdles, which was fruitful. He took well to the hurdles, winning 3/5, and is rated 129. He is drawn in the carpark in stall 15, but in a race of this length I'm not too concerned as he will have time to make the necessary ground.

Connor Beasley is in the saddle, and this man is full of confidence and is becoming a much better jockey as each year goes by. He's started the season off very well with him winning 7x in the last 14 days (21% SR).

Chester 3:45

My cliff horse, King's Lynn runs in this race but I will not be a supported of his tomorrow as I like the chances of FLAMING RIB.

Hugo Palmer has kicked off his start with Michael Owen and Manor House Stables very well, and already had a couple of winners at this meeting, which has gone down well with Owen. I think this horse has been targeted this race and I think that because he has plenty of speed, so the chances of him staying the 7f he ran over at Newbury, was very slim. However, running him over a trip which is too far would've been a great fitness prep run for something down the line. I think this race is what they've had in mind for some time, as they now drop him back to 5f which shouldn't cause any problems. He has shown plenty of speed in his career to date, with plenty of early speed, shown by winning at this course. He is drawn in Stall 2, which will be perfect for him if he can bounce out and make all. Being a 3yo means he gets the allowances from the older horses, which is another benefit. His odds aren't great, but I think he is the one they have to beat.

Chester 4:55

The combination of Franny Norton and Venetia Williams won this Chester Pate last year with Green Book. That filly was very well backed that day, and I think we're in store for the same outcome with BELLATRIXSA.

It gives the same vibes as last year, especially with the jockey booking of Franny Norton, who we all know loves a winner at this track. They've got lucky again if they plan on making every yard in this, as she is drawn in Stall 1 which is perfect for Franny to get out the gates and dictate the race he wants. A mark of 77 should be well within reach as she is a 131 rated hurdler.

I don't think you'll get great odds on her, and it wouldn't surprise me to see her strong in the market.

Ascot 2:50

I'm sure you're all aware that I don't like backing 2yo's blind, but I think a chance can be taken on MISS GALLAGHER. I've missed the early odds of around 16/1, but the money around isn't the reason for me liking this horse. William Jarvis isn't known for his juvenile horses, with just 3 winners in the last 5 years, so the fact he runs this filly in this race is eye-catching.

2 of the 3 wins from a Juvenile were from Miss Gallgaher's mum, Mrs Gallagher, who won this exact race in 2017 with Silvestre De Sousa doing the steering, who always gets the ride on Miss Gallagher today.

This filly has a very good pedigree, not just from Mrs Gallagher, but through the family tree. She is related to a couple of Group 1 winners, and I think she is worth a shot on debut.

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