Wednesday Review

Aidan O'Brien won the Chester Vase for the ninth time with Sir Dragonet beating his six opponents by upwards of eight lengths. Unraced at two, the son of Camelot had created a favourable impression when winning on his debut at Tipperary last month and took this rise in class in his stride. Behind early on, Donnacha O'Brien's mount made smooth headway with half a mile to run before displaying a smart turn of foot and bounding clear. Not entered in the Epsom Derby, it will be a surprise if he isn't supplemented later this month. Former stablemate Ruler of the World was unraced as a juvenile and won the Group 3 prize en route to Epsom glory. It is worth noting both Sir Dragonet's victories have been gained on soft ground with a faster terrain an unknown quantity. Otherwise, he looks a most exciting three year old prospect with Group 1 aspirations.

John Gosden has won the Cheshire Oaks with Gertrude Bell (2010) and Enable (2017) and the champion trainer made it three victories in the Listed contest courtesy of Mehdaayih. A fourteen lengths winner of a ten furlongs handicap at Chelmsford on her reappearance off a mark of 84, the Frankel filly relished the step up to a mile and three and a half furlongs. Once pulled to the outside, she swept past her rivals and scored by four and a half lengths. She is a fast improving filly. Despite being ultimately well held, I thought Manuela De Vega shaped with plenty of promise in second. Unbeaten last term, Ralph Beckett's filly had something of a rushed preparation, she was forced to carry a penalty and didn't enjoy the clearest of runs on the inside rail. She travelled through the race like a high quality filly and is capable of winning a big prize this year. Her trainer has an excellent record in the Epsom Oaks (won it twice) and she goes there with a genuine each-way chance (33/1 with Bet365).

David O'Meara has handled some very good sprinters during his relatively short training career and he has another useful one on his hands in the progressive Leodis Dream (9/2). Successful in two of his three starts last term, the gelded son of Dandy Man made it three from three in 2019 with a half length win in the five furlongs handicap. He followed up his wins at Thirsk and Sandown with another victory under Danny Tudhope. His rider reported afterwards that Leodis Dream didn't enjoy the ground or track, which makes his performance even more meritorious.

Roger Charlton sent out only his second winner since February on Tuesday evening when Tempus made an impressive reappearance at Wolverhampton. The Kingman colt, who is a half-brother to former stablemate Time Test and featured in the Maidens In Waiting section of Ahead On The Flat, had shaped with plenty of promise on his sole start at Nottingham last backend. He confirmed the view in the one mile novice stakes making all under Jason Watson. Kicking for home rounding the final bend, he ran out an easy two and three quarter of a lengths winner. He looks a Pattern horse in the making. His stable is blessed with plenty of equine talent so hopefully his win will signal a change in fortunes following a slow start to the campaign.

In the same race, the fourth Nonchalance made a very encouraging start to her career. A daughter of Dubawi and trained by John Gosden, she was towards the rear with a couple of furlongs to run before staying on strongly under Robert Havlin. Beaten five and a half lengths, she will stay further and is a winner waiting to happen.