Improving colt can defy top weight at Chester

North: Richard Young

Curlew River(8.25 Chelmsford, nap)

Improved effort when making all over today's course and distance on AW debut and reappearance last month. Tougher task on handicap debut but she is open to plenty of improvement for in-form yard and should again get the run of the race. Fancied to go well.

Others to follow
Bath 8.05 Celestation.
Chelmsford 6.25 Highly Sprung, 6.55 Storm Cry, 7.25 That Is The Spirit, 8.25 Curlew River.
Chester 1.50 Requinto Dawn, 3.00 El Astronaute, 3.35 Nakeeta, 4.05 The Blues Master, 4.35 Legato, 5.05 Gin In The Inn.
Kelso 2.15 Touch Of Steel, 2.45 Oliver's Gold, 3.20 Pikarnia, 3.55 Doubledisdoubledat, 4.25 Weapon Of Choice, 4.55 Havana Jack, 5.25 Golden Jeffrey.

Lambourn: Nick Deacon

(3.35 Chester)

Showed his liking for this unique course when landing comfortable win in a mile and a half event last season, and enjoyed a very good season over hurdles in the interim. Remains on a decent mark for this return to the flat and has been freshened up with a short break since his excellent third in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Others to follow
Chester 2.25 Rich Legacy, 4.05 Here And Now, 4.35 Never Surrender.
Chelmsford 5.55 Inconceivable, 6.55 Rely On Me, 8.25 Drochiad.
Bath 6.35 Fair Cop, 8.05 Eolian.
Newton Abbot 3.10 Talent To Amuse, 3.45 Fox Appeal.

Newmarket: David Milnes

Elucidation (8.25 Chelmsford, nap)

The three-year-old has always been held in some regard by Sir Michael Stoute and may well have found the ground a bit quick on his reappearance at Newmarket last month. The son of Oasis Dream has since moved well on Warren Hill.

Others to follow
Chester 1.50 Central City, 2,.25 Enable, 3.00 Spring Loaded, 3.35 Sea Of Heaven, 4.05 Stradivarius, 4.35 Mutarabby, 5.05 Twin Point.
Bath 5.35 Desert Sport, 6.35 Goklen Easter, 7.35 Bridge Of Sighs.
Chelmsford 5.55 Utopian Dream, 6.25 Saved My Bacon, 6.55 Textured, 7.55 St Michel, 8.55 Grieg Hall.

West Country: Tim Mitchell

Dites Rien (4.15 Newton Abbot, nap)

Neil Mulholland's mare has shown a race of this nature is within her compass since upped in distance and switching to handicaps. Fancied to be in the mix.

Others to follow
Newton Abbot 2.05 Pomme, 2.35 Southfield Vic, 3.10 Amour De Nuit, 3.45 Henryville, 4.45 Capitaine, 5.15 Thundering Home.

Racing Post Ratings: Simon Turner

Captain Ryan(6.05 Bath)

Shaped better than the bare result last time out over course and distance and likely to go close in what looks a slightly easier race.

Topspeed: Dave Edwards

Stradivarius (4.05 Chester)

Romped home in by far the quickest time of the day at Beverley last month and the anchor of top weight may not be enough to stop John Gosden's improving colt.

Longshot: Ed Quigley

Gentleman Jon (2.35 Newton Abbot)

Out of sorts lately, but has winning form at the track, will enjoy conditions, and is capable of going well off this mark.

Ireland: Tony O'Hehir