Chester May meeting Day 3: Horse racing betting

More clues on offer today at Chester, where the Roodee stages two Group 3 races; the Ormonde Stakes (2.45pm) and the Dee Stakes (2.15pm). The latter should provide yet more information on the Derby picture and the race has thrown up Epsom heroes Kris Kin and Oath in the last ten years.

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Aidan O'Brien sent out a dud yesterday in the Chester Vase in the shape of Vivaldi, but he has won this race twice in the last three years and it is no surprise to see his Achill Island the warm favourite for the Dee Stakes.

He is as short as 20/1 for the Epsom showpiece on June 7, but that is mainly on the back of his second in the Breeder's Cup juvenile at Monmouth Park last year. The son of Sadler's Wells put in a disappointing effort on his reappearance at Longchamp 26 days ago, when 6/4 favourite for the Group 3 Prix de la Force. Never really travelling, he finished sixth from seven runners and it is difficult to warm to his odds on the back of that run.

Alexandros comes next in the betting and Godolphin's charge looks a rock solid investment. The Kingmambo colt finished third in the Prix Morny last year behind Myboycharlie and impressive 1,000 Guineas filly Natagora. Myboycharlie then went on to finish second to wonder juvenile New Approach in the National Stakes, making Alexandros' form the best on offer.

Alexandros has only raced on going described with the word "soft" in it, which would be a slight concern, but that looks just coincidence, and if the colt truly didn't appreciate good to firm, Godolphin would certainly not be running him today.

Two more horses pulled up during their races yesterday, and the going is best described as good to firm. Chester clerk of the course Ed Gretton went on record yesterday to refute claims that the injuries were to do with the rock solid ground, and the times of races would suggest that he was right.

Punters will also be looking at the Ormonde Stakes, where another O'Brien charge, Macarthur heads the betting. Macarthur looks another dubious favourite though, who looks priced up on reputation alone, and with John Gosden's Raincoat aside, most of the field looks a bit hit and miss.

Gosden's colt should run a huge race, but for those who like a little dabble at huge odds, Jadalee, who was second to Arc de Triomphe runner-up Youmazin on lightning fast ground last year, looks a huge price at 33/1.

Verdict: 3pts win Alexandros @ 4/1; 1pt each-way Jadalee 33/1

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