Dubai Godolphin’s Tamaleek can demonstrate why he is held in high regard by his trainer Saeed Bin Surour by delivering a strong performance in the Group 3 Chester Vase, one of the highlights of the three-day May meeting which kicks-off on Wednesday at the historic venue.
A son of successful American stallion Hard Spun, Tamaleek holds entries for most of the forthcoming major three-year-old contests, including the Group 2 Dante Stakes on May 18 and the Group 1 Epsom Derby on June 3.
Bin Surour’s trainee caught the eye when posting a four-length victory over fellow Godolphin-trained, Oasis Charm to win his maiden at Newmarket racecourse three weeks ago.
Established in 1907 the Chester Vase serves as a trial for the Epsom Derby. The last horse to win the Vase and the English Classic was Ruler of the World who completed the double in 2013.
Run over a distance of 2,400 metres on a small course, the race is a good test for horses who are unexposed at handling tight bends, like they would at Epsom in a month’s time.
Ballydoyle handler Aidan O’Brien has dominated the event in recent years having sent out seven of the last ten winners including US Army Ranger twelve months ago.
Day two of the meeting also features the Group 3 2050m Huxley Stakes for older horses.
The feature of the opening day is the 188Bet Chester Cup, a 3750m handicap which has been staged since 1824. Two years ago, Trip To Paris came out on top before going on to land the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, so it can attract some high-class performers and a number of trainers with smart and progressive stayers will have had the date circled in their diaries for some time.
The Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks, a Listed event over 2350m, will see some Epsom aspirants put their credentials on the line, while the Stellar Group Lily Agnes Stakes (1000m) gives some of the speedier juveniles a chance to strut their stuff.
The main event on day two is the MBNA Chester Vase, a 2400m Group 3 event for three-year-olds. A recognised trial for the Investec Derby, the race has been dominated by Aidan O’Brien in recent times, the Ballydoyle handler having won seven of the last 10 renewals. In 2013, his Ruler Of The World scored at Epsom having learnt a bit about handling tight bends on his way to victory in this race.
There is also Group Three action for the older horses with the Huxley Stakes, run over 2050m, providing the support for the main event.
The meeting concludes on Friday with the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes (Group 3, 2650m) and the Homeserve Dee Stakes (Listed, 2050m) the star attractions. Again Aidan O’Brien has been the man to follow in the latter contest, although with five wins he has some way to go to match Barry Hills, who sent out the winner 10 times between 1970 and 2002.
Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee, is the oldest racecourse still in use in England. It is also the smallest racecourse of significance in country. As as of October 2016, the are 60 racecourses operating in Great Britain.
