Chester previewAidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon have wasted no time in forming a potent partnership this season and they can continue their big-race roll with a high-profile double at Chester today.
The pair teamed up to take both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last week and have another genuine Classic contender in the shape of Gypsy King, who contests the Group Three Dee Stakes on the Roodee.
The once-raced son of Sadler's Wells has a huge reputation and won his maiden at Leopardstown in fine style last season, despite there having been no stalls due to the heavy ground.
Given the firepower at Ballydoyle, it is an indication of his talent that O'Brien holds him in such high regard, so expect him to cement his lofty position in the Vodafone Derby market.
Fallon and O'Brien can follow up by taking the day's other big event, the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes, with Acropolis.
The four-year-old put up a career-best performance to finish fourth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe last season at odds of 100 to 1.
He put in a satisfactory effort on his reappearance at the Curragh last month when second to Sublimity in what was a muddling Listed event.
The winner benefited from an excellent front-running ride while Acropolis couldn't quite get a clear sight over a furlong out in the 10-furlong event.
That form has been given a real boost since with the smooth victory of third home Cairdeas, however, and the step up to a mile and five furlongs today looks right up his street as he is a stoutly-bred son of Sadler's Wells.
Fonthill Road is a consistent sort and looks primed for the VCbet Handicap.
Richard Fahey's five-year-old warmed up for this five-furlong contest with a win at Beverley when he had no less than five of tomorrow's rivals behind him.
And he was probably a bit better value than his head win would suggest as he had to switch for a run.
The father and son team of trainer Dessie and jockey Richard Hughes can round off a good day for the Irish raiding party in the Warwick International Handicap.
The duo are represented by Due Respect in the seven-furlong event and judged on his very decent second in the Irish Lincolnshire, he will take a lot of beating.
Due Respect was just three-quarters of a length behind Victram on unsuitably testing ground in the March race and a repeat of that kind of run should see him come out on top.
SELECTIONS
1.30-FONTHILL ROAD
2.00-GYPSY KING
2.30-ACROPOLIS
3.00-DUE RESPECT (nap)
3.35-BARKING MAD
4.10-PERFECT BLEND
