Chester Vase 2012

2.35 Chester

MBNA Chester Vase (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £31,190

Advice: 3 pts win Call To Battle (11/4 Bet Victor)

David Livingston: Tough as teak 2 year old who impressed when winning his maiden before solid efforts in Group company, culminating in gutsy win over highly rated Akeed Mofeed in the Beresford Stakes at Curragh; Disappointing when fifth and behind Call To Battle in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown, but that came in March (quiet time for the stable) and likely to come forward hugely for that, while he’s very adept on this ground; Big chance.

Call To Battle: Came forward with every single start as a 2 year old last season, winning an easy ground maiden at the Curragh before grinding things out in Listed Eyrefield Stakes at the Curragh (once again on ground with cut); Expected to make up into a St Ledger type after that  - he is closely related to the 2000 winner of the Doncaster Classic, Millenary (also bags of classy stayers in the pedigree) – but showed more than enough pace for shorter distances this season when an excellent second in the Ballysax Stakes on his seasonal debut (well ahead of David Livingston), shaping as if he’d find vast improvement for stepping up 2 furlongs; Big chance here with this ground not expected to be too much of a hinderance.

Mickdaam: Progressive for Mike De Kock; Showed best form up in trip, winning Al Bastakiya in good style, clearly relishing the step up in trip having been badly found for speed on first two UAE runs this season; First run for Richard Fahey a good one when second in sales race at Newmarket and good chance on that form here with step up in trip likely to help.

Minimise Risk: Made a very promising debut at Doncaster in a race that has produced two other winners (tightened up) and then impressed many when showing strong attitude to beat Uriah Heap on soft ground at Newbury (travelled by far the best of any horse in that race before being brought into prolonged battle); Related to Darasim so stamina no problem and interesting to see him here.

Modern Pupil: Only one of these not in the Derby but has an entry in the King George V Stakes and more than promising enough debut behind Mighty Ambiton (considered good enough to take in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket) and Rewarded (won twice since); Since won good looking Newmarket maiden by a nose from nice sort who himself had decent form (third and fifth won since) and wil step up in trip bound to bring him on, one of the most interesting prospects in the field.

VERDICT: A good race in its own right with all 5 holding some sort of chance, the three of those who raced in group company taking on 2 exciting prospects. Ballydoyle are having a great start to the UK season (had a winner and neck second here yesterday) and with three wins in the last 5 years David Livingston will be liked to make that 4 in 6, but he’s got some ground to make up on CALL TO BATTLE, who shaped with a very encouraging amount of speed over 10 furlongs in the Ballysax given his pedigree on his seasonal debut, and with soft ground not expected to be a problem, he should take the beating. Mickdaam, Minimise Risk & Model Pupil are all sure to like this step up in trip, while Minimise Risk is already a soft ground winner.