Friday 6th May 2016

The racing at Chester has made good viewing this week as it always does. Chester is a great racecourse for a day out and lovely place to spend the evening in.

I’m not sure the Derby winner ran yesterday whilst the ride given to Port Douglas was let’s say interesting. US Army Ranger won as he should have but looked a fair bit below Derby standard in my eyes. I still don’t think we’ve seen anything this season that would would beat Minding if she ran in the Epsom showpiece.

Chester continues today but a horse that I put in my notebook last year makes her seasonal debut in the 7:20 at Nottingham, Shufoog trained by William Haggas.

Shufoog looked a decent filly in the making when winning at Lingfield in August. She was a bit green but the penny dropped midrace and won in the style of a nice horse. I’ve no idea how’s she wintered or if fit for this, however her opening mark of 71 looks very fair and I’m sure she’ll be placed to win in the coming weeks if not getting her head in front tonight. The price of 2-1 looks ok.