Raider alert: Donnacha O’Brien sends just one runner to Chester on Thursday 🚨

It’s fair to say that Donnacha O’Brien doesn’t make the journey over to Chester very often, as the 24-year-old has had just one runner there during his training career so far. He’s about to double that tally with one runner at the track on Thursday. The horse in question is a fascinating contender for one of the most prestigious races of the meeting. There will be extra motivation for a win here as his mother bred this horse and is also a part-owner. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

2.40 Chester

Alder comes into this race in good form, having warmed up for it with victory at Cork last month. He managed to beat his father’s runner, who was the race favourite. This horse didn’t look completely straightforward during that race and it’s unlikely that he’s the finished article. With this in mind, there should be plenty of improvement to come from this son of Australia.

His juvenile form was rock-solid and his progressive profile suggested that he’d make a better three-year-old. It was a solid debut effort at the Curragh in June, as he finished fourth to a stablemate who went on to win a Group 1 in France. Getting off the mark when stepped up to a mile at Killarney next time, he then went on to finish third behind Auguste Rodin in a Group 2 at Leopardstown.

Donnacha O’Brien clearly doesn’t like to waste ammunition by sending horses over to Chester without a chance and the market suggests this one can go all the way. Gavin Ryan also makes the journey over to take the ride. Alder looks like a smart horse to go to war with this season and he’d put himself into the Derby picture with victory here.

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