Outbox in good shape as he bids to bag first win of 2019 in valuable Listed race

2.45 ChesterSportpesa Chester Stakes (Listed) | 3yo+ | 1m6½f | ITV4/RTV

Outbox is favourite to register his first win of the year in the feature on the Roodee, which is being run for only the second year as a conditions contest.

The son of Frankel, unbeaten in three starts last year, has run some decent races in defeat this summer, notably his second to the prolific King's Advice in a £100,000 1m6f handicap at Glorious Goodwood.

The Simon Crisford-trained gelding was then fitted with first-time cheekpieces, which he retains, when third to Kelly's Dino over 1m4f at Newmarket.

That form received a boost when runner-up Corelli went on to finish second in a big handicap at York's Ebor meeting, and Outbox has since pleased in his work on Newmarket's watered gallop.

Crisford said: "This looks the right race for Outbox and he goes there in good shape. We'll see how he enjoys going round Chester for the first time but he should be okay as long as the ground isn't too quick for him."

Andrew Balding won this a year ago with the useful Duretto and this time he fields Tribal Craft, who is one of four three-year-olds in the six-runner line-up.

The daughter of Mastercraftsman looked as if this longer trip would suit when chasing home the classy Sea Of Faith in a 1m4f handicap at Salisbury last time.

Before that, Tribal Craft had won novice contests at Salisbury and Pontefract before finishing a honourable seventh in a big handicap at Goodwood won by Sir Ron Priestley.

Balding said: "Tribal Craft won her novices well and has run two good races in handicaps. She's stepping up in class, the step up in trip should suit and the chance to get black type is attractive."

Weld happy with new recruit

Jockey Chris Hayes will be having his first ride at the track on the Irish raider Stivers who will be bidding to give Dermot Weld a first winner at the unique venue.

The six-year-old Stivers is a rarity in that he is Argentinian-bred and joined Weld only this summer after winning six of his 23 races in his homeland, usually with some cut in the ground.

Stivers last ran in January at the San Isidro track near Buenos Aries when he finished third in a Group 3 contest so is entitled to come on for his first run in the northern hemisphere and his first for over six months.

Weld said: "He showed good form in Argentina and was recommended to us. He's been with us since late spring.

"He's been acclimatising nicely and is ready to start. He's in the Melbourne Cup but we'll see how things go tomorrow and maybe in the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown on Irish Champions weekend which might be his next race."

Johnston double-handed

Mark Johnston, who won this nine years ago with Lady Eclair, is two-handed with the busy pair Vivid Diamond and Persian Moon, the latter reappearing just eight days after finishing seventh in a valuable 1m4f handicap at York.

Johnston's son and assistant Charlie said: "It doesn't look that strong for the grade. With Vivid Diamond we're looking to pick up some more black type in a small field, and with Persian Moon we're looking to find out a bit more trip-wise, stepping up to 1m6f to see if it brings a bit of improvement. I expect Outbox will be favourite, though, and rightfully so."

Roger Varian is hoping first-time blinkers help outsider Mackaar register a first success on turf after a slightly below-par effort in the Listed Glasgow Stakes last time.

The three-year-old was some way adrift of Saturday's rival Persian Moon, who finished runner-up at Hamilton, but showed he enjoyed tight tracks when scoring twice on the all-weather last winter.

Varian said: "Mackaar should be suited by stepping up in trip and if he puts his best foot forward he should have place chances in a competitive race."

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