1.50pm Chester Tips & Betting Preview 11/05/2017

A listed and group performer in the main, BERKSHIRE makes his handicap debut today and should have the class to be able to shrug off an opening mark of 105. A winner of the Darley Stakes at his peak back in 2014, he proved that he still retained the ability – despite missing all of 2015 – when returning last season and winning the August Stakes at Windsor. A stout stayer at this trip, he was last seen in November in the Churchill Stakes at Lingfield where he was too keen early on. It is possible that he didn’t appreciate the artificial surface as that is three poor efforts in that sphere now. He should be much happier back on turf and he has conditions to suit, so he should have too much talent for these on his first taste of handicap company for Paul Cole, with Jamie Spencer taking the ride.

Improving all the time, Hamdan Al Maktoum looks to have another potentially useful sort in Sir Michael Stoute’s Khairaat, who has won two of his three starts so far on the flat. He debuted at Salisbury in the summer when second over the extended six furlong trip, run down close home in a promising performance. He built on that to comfortably win a Pontefract maiden under hands and heels and then took a classified stakes at Doncaster when last seen in September. He makes his handicap debut off a mark of 91. That mark could be generous as he remains unexposed and has plenty of potential at the middle distances after only one run at 1m 2f on his latest start, winning reasonably comfortably. Jim Crowley takes the ride and this four-year-old should be going close if ready to roll on seasonal debut and is respected.

Mistiroc will need to produce one of his best efforts to overcome his career high mark for John Quinn and Jason Hart. He posted a career best on his latest start when finishing second in a valuable All Weather handicap at the 1m 4f distance at Newcastle, coming home strongly, but always being held. He now drops back in trip – which wouldn’t appear to be an obvious move – and he does need to deliver an incredible performance if he’s to overcome this mark, as he’s now 8lb higher than when he last won. He has each way claims with conditions to suit, but he may just be found lacking for win purposes.

Although he does need to overcome a penalty, Brorocco is an improving four-year-old this season for Andrew Balding and another big effort is on the cards. Winning twice last season for connections, he returned this season with a respectable fifth at Chelmsford when given an easy time of things when needing the run. He was back out two weeks later at Epsom where he won nicely over today’s trip, travelling sweetly throughout before picking up the leaders inside the final furlong. He has been raised 4lb as a result, but he still remains with potential and he should be capable of further improvement. David Probert takes the ride and, with preferable conditions, he looks to be a big player and shouldn’t be ignored.

Of the remaining runners, Sagely won her first two starts in 2016 and should have her say for the placings on seasonal debut. Gabrial’s King could also have his say, but may just find this trip too sharp, despite him having plenty of Chester form.