2.40pm Chester Tips & Betting Preview 09/09/2016

Our race preview takes a look at an intriguing Nursery at Chester. See our betting tips below to uncover a horse who has a much more realistic chance of victory after a tough task last time out.

IN SUMMARY: A case can be for both Johnson horses Thomas Cranmer and Morning Suit, who have some good form in the book. However, a chance is taken on STONEYFORD LANE. He was set a very difficult task when aimed at the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and was clearly outclassed, but now back into a realistic race on Nursery Debut he can resume an upward curve.

1 THOMAS CRANMER – Some pretty poor efforts at Lingfield and Chelmsford on the AW before finally coming good when winning a Chester maiden latest (7f, Good). That form seems sound and he if he can build on that run he will certainly be in the thick of things. Seems to be Johnson’s preferred horse.

2 STONEYFORD ISLAND – Won on the first attempt at Bath in April (5f, Soft) and followed that up with a good run at Chester in May when runner up (6f, Soft). Was obviously out-classed at Royal Ascot in the Coventry Stakes when against the likes of Caravaggio and Mehmas, however that wasn’t a disgraceful run as he ran close to some good horses who have gone on to win decent races. Now put into a realistic race on Nursery debut, and if resuming his progress, he could be tough to beat.

3 CULLINGWORTH – Starting to look exposed and latest run at Chester (7f, Good) seemed to be a step backwards when a very remote third dropped into Nursery Company. Likely very vulnerable to an improver and passed over for today.

4 TAWNY PORT – Made it 3 from 3 in Nursery’s when winning at Hamilton latest (6f, Good). Has to be respected now upped to 7f and could have more to give as he is quite lightly raced, but will definitely need to improve.

5 ARC ROYAL – Decent 2nd in a C&D Maiden latest (7f, Good), but struggled in his last nursery appearance and doesn’t look necessarily well treated against some of these, so may be best watched for now.

6 MORNING SUIT – Won on his second start on the All Weather at Kempton in June (6f, AW) but didn’t go on from that when posting a poor effort over the same C&D back in August. Really needs to improve on those efforts now back on turf and upped to 7f, but does look vulnerable. Norton prefers Thomas Cramner.

7 HERM – Set some pretty unrealistic tasks, latest when competing in a tough maiden at Goodwood in July (7f, Good to Firm). This clearly more realistic but its hard to assess where his current ability lies. Regardless he needs to improve and probably still will struggle to land a blow here.

8 AMATHYST – Has shown a little promise in his last two runs, latest when probably at an inadequate trip at Catterick (5f, Good to Soft). Needs to really improve to be a big factor in this race and may well need some more time.

myracing Forecast Prices: 2/1 Thomas Cranmer, 3/1 Tawny Port, 5/1 Morning Suit, 6/1 Arc Royal, 6/1 Stoneyford Island, 9/1 Cullingworth, 14/1 Amathyst, 18/1 Herm