Chester puts on day two of its wonderful May meeting this afternoon and the Chester Vase forms the cornerstone of today's action.

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As a Derby trial, the Vase has had a mixed history, but last year's success by Soldier of Fortune proved the race's ability to throw up a top-notcher. St Leger hero Millenary won this race en route to the Doncaster Classic in 2000, but on the flip side 2003 winner Dutch Gold didn't win another race in 15 outings.

The first day of the Chester meeting was marred by the death of King Orchisios and two horses found the underfoot conditions difficult and had to be pulled up in the Chester Vase. As a result, the clerk of the course, Ed Gretton, has taken the decision to move the running rail at the four-furlong marker for today's action.

All but two of today's Chester Vase starters have a Group-race entry with just All The Aces and Donegal not entered at the highest level. All The Aces put in a showy reappearance at Leicester last month, when pulling ten lengths clear of the field with race favourite Enroller. The Spartacus colt showed battling qualities and his determination to settle the score in the final two furlongs not only showed he stays today's extended 1m 4f trip, but also that he is dogged.

That may not be enough today however, as Michael Jarvis's charge is up against some classy individuals. John Gosden aims Pampas Cat at the race after the colt hacked up by five lengths in a maiden at the Craven meeting. Clearly unfancied in the betting that day – he went off 20/1 – he powered home in impressive fashion. Gosden remarked after that race however, that Pampas Cat was one of the yards fitter horses, and had every right to run as he did. One wonders therefore, when upped in class, whether that fitness edge will be such an advantage here.

Given Aiden O'Brien's exploits with Henrythenavigator in the 2,000 Guineas, it is amazing that his Vivaldi isn't shorter in the betting today. Vivaldi beat Brazilian Star last year, a horse who finished two lengths off star two-year-old New Approach last season, and at 6.4 on Betfair, he looks a big price.

His sire, Montjeu, got better with age, and also confirms that likelihood that Vivaldi should stay the one and half miles. In fact, given the form of O'Brien, punters should also have a look at his other entry, Wassily Kandinsky, who at Betfair's 34, is no forlorn hope. 

Verdict: 2pts Vivaldi @ 6.4 (Betfair)

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