Key non-runners, going updates and market movers

It's day two of the Chester May meeting and Classic clues are on offer with eight colts set to line up in the Group 3 Chester Vase (3.35).

Aidan O'Brien's Ruler Of The World, who triumphed in 2013, was the last horse to complete the Chester Vase and Derby double, but the same trainer went close last year when US Army Ranger found only Harzand too good at Epsom.

O'Brien has been responsible for the last four winners of the Vase and it's odds on that he makes it five in a row as he trains half of the field, including the favourite Venice Beach, who arrives on the back of a wide-margin maiden win and is the choice of Ryan Moore.

How O'Brien's squad fare in the Vase may influence the Coolmore team's decision on whether 2,000 Guineas winner and ante-post favourite Churchill should be aimed at the Derby.

The Vase is the last of four races on ITV4, with the action commencing at 1.50, where the lightly raced Khairaat is likely to be sent off a hot favourite for Sir Michael Stoute.

Stoute also has strong claims in the Group 3 Huxley Stakes, the chief supporting race on the card, as he saddles the progressive Poet's Word, who will be bidding to provide connections with back-to-back wins in the race following Cannock Chase's victory last year.

There is a British challenge in France today with Executive Force, representing William Haggas, contesting the Listed Prix Matchem (12.10) at Maisons-Laffitte, while Afandem (Hugo Palmer) and Clem Fandango (Keith Dalgleish) run in the Group 3 Prix Texanita at 1.50 on the same card.

Today's key races

12.10 Maisons-Laffitte Prix Matchem (Listed)
1.50 Maisons- Laffitte Prix Texanita (Group 3)
1.50 Chester Gateley PLC Changing The Legal Landscape Handicap
2.25 Chester sportingbet.com Huxley Stakes (Group 3)
3.00 Chester Boodles Diamond Handicap
3.35 Chester MBNA Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3)

Going news

Carlisle Good
Catterick Good to firm
Chester Good, good to firm in places
Worcester Good to firm, good in places

Chester clerk of the course Andrew Morris said on Thursday morning: "We put 2mm of water on last night. It is very similar to how it was yesterday before racing. The times yesterday were not that rapid.

"The forecast is fairly tricky as the threat of rain has changed and it is a bit hit and miss – there are now two bands of showers expected, one after racing this evening and one during racing tomorrow."

Non-runners

Chester
1.50 3 Sagely (vets cert, bruised foot)
3.00 8 Perfect Madge (Self cert, bruised foot)
4.05 4 Last Page (Vets cert, injured in box)
4.05 7 Porchy Party (Vets cert, lame)
4.05 10 Felisa (Self cert, not eaten up)
4.05 12 Kat O'Strophic (Self cert, cast in box)
4.35 3 Esprit De Corps (Self cert, temperature)
4.35 4 Vona (Vets cert)
4.35 8 Evergate (Vets cert, stiff)
4.35 14 Brogan (Self cert, going)

Catterick
2.05 1 Capla Dancer (Self cert, stiff)
2.05 4 Mistress Of Venice (Self cert, coughing)
3.45 5 Lucky Violet (Going)
4.15 6 Tonto's Spirit (Self cert, pricked foot)
4.15 8 Dizoard (Going)
4.15 9 Monzino (Self cert, lame)
4.45 6 Pushkin Museum (Self cert, coughing)
5.15 1 Lexi's Hero (Self cert, coughing)

Market movers

1.50 Chester Khairaat 11-10 (from 11-8)
3.00 Chester Sharp Defence 9-1 (from 12-1)
3.35 Chester Tamleek 3-1 (from 4-1)
4.35 Chester Zamjar 3-1 (from 6-1)
4.35 Chester Sayesse 13-2 (from 8-1)
5.05 Chester Al Destoor 13-2 (from 10-1)