3.00pm Chester Tips & Betting Preview 10/05/2017

With Sir Maximilian now a non-runner MAJESTIC HERO is taken to follow up his win at Epsom last month. He returned this season when headed on the post at Newmarket by El Astronaute. It was clear he needed that run when winning comfortably off the same mark under hands and heels from Jamie Spencer when last seen two weeks ago. He’s been raised 4lb as a result, but he clearly was not in full stride on that latest run, with Spencer only needing to push him out to take victory, so there is clearly something extra left under the hood from the five-year-old. This is a career high mark, but he’s never been in better form than he is now and with the Ronald Harris yard striking form, he looks like a very solid selection at a fair price.

Returning with a bang this season, El Astronaute narrowly denied the selection on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket and another bold show looks on the cards. He will be taking a 2lb penalty for that latest run. However, judging by his form last summer, he is more than capable of taking a victory off a mark of 90, not least due to the fact that he should come on for that seasonal debut. He has the plum draw in stall one and Jason Hart remains in the saddle. With conditions to suit he’s likely to be going close again.

A smart all weather sprinter on his day for Paul D’Arcy, Spring Loaded does have questions to answer back on the turf despite his mark being much lower in this sphere. He took a decisive victory at Wolverhampton on his penultimate start on Boxing Day and although he didn’t back that up when last seen in January at Kempton, that was a tough looking race and he can perhaps be forgiven it. He is rated 10lb lower on turf and it’s not hard to see why as he’s never matched his all weather form on the grass, with his seventh in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot remaining his best effort of all on turf. It’s hard to argue that if he suddenly matched his all weather form that he wouldn’t be dangerous, but that seems unlikely and there are further question marks surrounding the drop back to the five furlong trip. He certainly has each way claims if putting his best foot forward in this, but others do rate as better candidates today with all things considered.

It’s been a while between drinks for Seamster, but this mark isn’t beyond him if putting in a career best for David Loughnane, though that is entirely possible as the yard have hit a purple patch and he will have the assistance of three pound claimer Hollie Doyle. The ten year old is clearly into the veteran stage of his career and that has shown the last twice when he has been brushed aside quite comfortably, finishing forth at Thirsk on Saturday off today’s mark when around three lengths behind the winner. His effort three starts ago at Bath though does prove he is capable off this mark despite his age, headed in agonising fashion towards the line at Bath last month. The quick turnaround is of no concern and he’s done the same in the past and with conditions likely to suit, he could be a savvy each way play.