ALBAFLORA should make the most of a drop in grade to lift the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (3.10) at Chester today.
Since landing Ascot’s Listed Buckhounds Stakes last may, the Ralph Beckett-trained daughter of Muraarar is without a win in five visits to the racecourse.
But each of those reverses came in Group 1 or Group 2 company - Rossa Ryan’s mount went under by a nose to Eshaada in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot last October - and this test should prove less onerous.
He pulled too hard to do himself justice when fifth of six in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last month, so CRESTA remains capable of a good run in the Listed Dee Stakes (2.40).
A second to Light Infantry in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury last October shows Martyn Meade’s son of New Bay is up to this level, and he should prove more settled with his comeback under his belt.
Cresta’s rider Tom Marquand could also be in luck aboard PRIDE OF PRIORY in the Boodles Raindance Handicap (3.40).
Previous course winner LOOK OUT LOUIS is the selection for the opening ICM Stellar Sports Handicap (1.30), while OUTGATE rates a worthy favourite for the Deepbridge Handicap (2.05).
At Worcester, BILLINGSLEY, second at Bangor-On-Dee on his latest start, gets the vote to go one better in the FBC Manby Bowdler Handicap Chase.
THURSDAY'S SELECTIONS
WORCESTER
1.15 DUNBAR
1.50 BILLINGSLEY
2.23 PENNYFORAPOUND
3.03 MASKIA
3.33 PEERLESS BEAUTY
4.05 HONOR GREY
4.40 OLYMPIC HONOUR
CHESTER
1.30 LOOK OUT LOUIS (NB)
2.05 OUTGATE
2.40 CRESTA
3.10 ALBAFLORA (NAP)
3.40 PRIDE OF PRIORY
4.15 EXPLICIT
4.50 ABBADO
HUNTINGDON
1.40 DANIEL DERONDA
2.15 DANCING DANI
2.50 TIGER ORCHID
3.20 ONE FOR BILLY
3.55 FLINTEUR SACRE
4.30 THUNDERSOCKSSUNDAE
5.05 BENEFACT
5.35 LE BREUIL
CHELMSFORD
5.00 KATH’S TOYBOY
5.30 ANOTHER ROMANCE
6.00 INCLEMENT WEATHER
6.30 ESPRESSOO
7.00 WINGS OF A DOVE
7.30 FIGURES
8.00 SABYINYO
DOUBLE: ALBAFLORA and LOOK OUT LOUIS
