CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD can give Aidan O'Brien a perfect 10th victory in the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (3.40pm) and book his ticket to Epsom on the opening day of the Chester May Festival on Wednesday.
The trials for next month's Cazoo Derby are under way and the Group Three feature on the Roodee sees another big clash between the big two racing operations, Coolmore and Godolphin.
Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby struck first with Coreobus's fine victory over stable-mate Native Trial in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, with O'Brien's Luxembourg running a fine Derby trial in third. He is the current 2-1 favourite with most firms for Epsom glory on June 4.
Just behind him in the betting at around 5-1 is Appleby's New London, who has looked a smart middle-distance performer in the making. He won on his debut at Newmarket in the autumn and impressed again to make it two from two on his seasonal reappearance at the Craven meeting at Headquarters.
He looks a decent prospect, but on this occassion O'Brien's Changingoftheguard may lower his colours and join the likely big Ballydoyle team for the Derby.
The Galileo colt's best effort in three juvenile starts was when a neck second to stable-mate River Thames at Punchestown in September. But he broke his maiden tag with an impressive six-length success stepped up to 1m2f at Dundalk on his return to action last month.
He looks a progressive colt and can take the step up in trip to 1m4f and into Group Three company in his stride to put a dent in New London's Derby hopes.
Merseyside-born Donald McCain is more known for his successes over the jumps and particularly when winning the Grand National with Ballabriggs at Aintree Racecourse in 2011. But he also targets races at his 'home' track of Chester, winning the Chester Cup at this meeting twice with Overturn and Ile De Re in 2011 and 2012 respectively.
He has also had other winners at the May meeting in the past and PAWS FOR THOUGHT may add to those with victory in the Stephen Wade Handicap (4.45pm).
The four-year-old won at this meeting over six furlongs last year for McCain's former neighbour Tom Dascombe from Michael Owen's Manor House Stables.
He was also a course and distance winner over this seven furlongs as a juvenile and although he hasn't scored since that victory 12 months ago, he is on a decent handicap mark. The change of scenary at McCain's stable and the return to the Roodee may see him score again.
Willie Haggas' HELLO JUMEIRAH can upset favourite Above The Curve and put down a marker for the Cazoo Oaks with victory in the Listed Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Cheshire Oaks (For the Robert Sangster Memorial Cup) (Fillies) (2.40pm).
The Golden Horn filly won on her debut at Kempton last month and she can progress again to make it two wins from two starts and book her ticket to the Fillies Classic at Epsom on June 3.
Hugo Palmer has replaced Dascombe as trainer at Owen's Cheshire stables and he can get off the mark at a meeting where the former Liverpool FC striker loves to have winners at with EVER GIVEN in the Deepbridge Handicap (3.40pm).
The three-year-old is a course and distance winner and also won a big pot at York's Ebor meeting last year. Although he has to give weight all round, he has a good draw in stall two and has the best form in the race.
He can be another 'home' winner for the Cheshire stable.
David O'Meara's STAR OF LADY M also has a handy draw in stall two for the opener, the ICM Stellar Sports Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes (GBB Race) (1.30pm).
The two-year-old filly has been prominently ridden in her two victories so far at Ripon and Redcar and with a handy berth she can break well, get to the front and can lead them home. A third victory could set her up for a potential trip to next month's Royal Ascot.
Others who may win on the opening day of Chester's May Festival are Appleby's SECRET STATE, to be ridden by Liverpool FC fan William Buick, in the Edinburgh Gin Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) (4.15pm) and Andrew Balding's well-drawn NYMPHADORA in the five-furlong tote.co.uk Free Chester Placepot Every Day Handicap (2.05pm).
Wright Ones on the Roodee
CHESTER MAY FESTIVAL (DAY ONE)
1.30pm Star Of Lady M
2.05pm Nymphadora
2.40pm Hello Jumeirah
3.10pm Changingoftheguard
3.40pm Ever Given
4.15pm Secret State
4.45pm Paws For Thought (NAP)
