CHESTER DAY ONE

AIDAN O’Brien’s Somehow may join brilliant stable companion Minding in the line-up for the Investec Oaks after justifying odds of 8/15 in the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks on Wednesday. However, it took an exceptional ride from Ryan Moore to enhance her claims, the former champion producing one of his very best efforts to coax the filly home from a decidedly unpromising position.

Somehow, still learning, was none too well away. Several lengths off the pace as Play Gal led, she still had several lengths to make up down the far side for the final time.

However, the picture changed off the final bend as Play Gal’s stride shortened and Somehow switched to the outside and stayed on strongly to get up 150 yards from home and hold Charlie Hills’ Moorside, who also arrived late on the scene, by half a length. Diamonds Pour Moi was the same distance away in third.

“Ryan’s given her such a nice ride,” said O’Brien. “She’s just so laid back but he’s drawn it out of her. Chester sharpens up these less-experienced horses and they need it for Epsom, where they come up against proper Group 1 horses.”

Somehow, given a general 16/1 quote, will surely take her chance in the fillies’ Classic. By Fastnet Rock, she is out of Alexandrova, who won the English, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks for Ballydoyle 10 years ago.

Hills talked about getting Moorside off the mark with the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot pencilled in later on but Ralph Beckett, who has such a fine record with fillies in recent times, will consider Epsom for Diamonds Pour Moi.

HENDERSON LANDS THE CUP

Nicky Henderson’s No Heretic, off the course for a year after damaging a tendon in a freak incident at Leicester, where he appeared to jump a fox before winning, landed the Betway Chester Cup by a short head from Nakeeta. The 11/1 chance, nicely placed on the inner for Jamie Spencer, pulled too hard but hit the front just inside the final furlong and held on in a driving finish. Silver Concorde and Gabrial The Hero came next but 7/2 favourite Steve Rogers was very disappointing.

The winner, still with Paul Cole at the time of the Leicester race, had not performed on the level for nearly 1000 days but made a promising debut over hurdles for Henderson at Newbury recently. The latter missed this week’s success, preferring to go all the way to Kelso for a bumper.

Cole’s son Alex, who acts as racing manager to winning owner Fitri Hay, explained the switch to Seven Barrows.

“No Heretic was bar-fired and we sent him to a jumps yard where you get these stronger, heavier lads. That, together with Nicky’s sand gallop, teaches them to settle a bit,” he said.

Nakeeta and Royston Ffrench looked a shade unlucky after being kept out wide for most of the way. Trainer Iain Jardine is looking a long way ahead to the Ebor.

Remarkably, Henderson’s Kelso move had no effect on the market there. Indeed, his Thomas Campbell, a Yeats gelding, drifted from 4/1 to 11/2 before romping in by 14 lengths.

CHESTER DAY TWO

On the second day at Chester, when the Epsom Derby picture hardly became any clearer, Aidan O’Brien’s US Army Ranger squeezed home in the MBNA Chester Vase.

There was only a short-head to spare over stable-companion Port Douglas, not driven right out in the closing stages, and bookmaker reaction saw Midterm established as the new Derby favourite pending an announcement about Minding’s participation. None of them will need to worry about Galileo Gold with Hugo Palmer having decided that his impressive 2000 Guineas winner will be kept to a mile.

US Army Ranger can be backed at 5/1 after failing to put daylight between himself and Port Douglas, who was conceding 4lb. Port Douglas has stamina to spare and Seamie Heffernan was soon pressing on at a fair pace with Ryan Moore shadowing him on the 4/11 favourite.

Offered an inviting gap around the final turn, US Army Ranger was through it in the manner of a classy performer but the race was far from over as Port Douglas drew alongside again. He was only hand-ridden in the final hundred yards, though it might be argued that Moore did not go for everything either. The stewards held an inquiry and noted Heffernan’s comments.

Everything else was beaten off seven lengths and more, leaving O’Brien and Moore happy enough with the outcome.

“The runner-up won the Beresford and I’m not surprised he had that performance in him,” the trainer said. “What I loved most about him (US Army Ranger) today was his high cruising speed. He’s come right away from the rest off a not very strong gallop and I’d say it’s the standout Classic form.”

Moore remarked that the winner would go forward and was like Midterm in that the pair of them have had just two runs. “It’s early days for them,” he added.

O’Brien has sent out seven winners of the Vase since 2007. So far, Ruler Of The World is the only one to have gone on to Epsom glory but it would be rash indeed to discount US Army Ranger.

ANOTHER FOR MOORE

Riding for both O’Brien and Sir Michael Stoute puts Moore in an enviable position and the former champion won the Group 3 Betway Huxley Stakes for Stoute on 11/4 chance Cannock Chase, who looks better than ever at the age of five.

The running was made by the popular Top Notch Tonto but he gave way before the furlong pole as Moore loomed up and kicked strongly for home. Western Hymn, rated 7lb higher than the winner but receiving a pound here, was made 6/4 favourite but could finish only second, his strong late run leaving him a length adrift.

Cannock Chase could be backed at 7/2 earlier on and landed some good Newmarket bets.

“Sir Michael fancied him for the Hong Kong Vase but the ground was too fast and he came back quite sore,” reported winning owner’s racing manager, Bruce Raymond. “I think he’s better over a mile and a half and he could go for something like the Hardwicke.”

When conditions are suitable for Cannock Chase – it was much softer when he finished second in this Chester race last year – he is capable of taking on the best and the King George at Ascot may not be aiming too high. He is the perfect example of his trainer’s sublime touch with older horses.

Andrew Balding’s stable is clicking into gear and Ian Fleming (9/1) got home under very talented apprentice Edward Greatrex in the Boodles Diamond Handicap over the extended seven furlongs. The trainer was more than happy with Ormito’s third in the big race earlier and mentioned the Queen’s Vase at Ascot as a likely target.