Classic hopefuls and a course-and-distance winner to note - Matt Rennie answers the big questions on the opening day of Chester

What's the big story on Wednesday at the Chester May meeting?

What's the big story?

Following the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas last weekend, attention turns to the Betfred Derby and Oaks with trials at Chester's popular May meeting.

The highlight on the first of three days from the Roodee is the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase (3.05), in which a potential Derby winner could be lurking.

Not since Ruler Of The World in 2013 has a horse completed the Chester and Epsom double, although Wings Of Eagles was second in the 2017 running before going one place better in the Classic.

Half of this year's eight runners have Derby entries, including the Aidan O'Brien-trained Lambourn. He was runner-up in the Ballysax Stakes on his return and a win could see his 66-1 odds for the Derby shorten. He is joined in the line-up by stablemate Thrice.

His nearest market rivals are Square D'Alboni and the unbeaten Convergent. The former is a gelding, but an impressive win by the latter could leave connections thinking about supplementing him for the Derby.

Who wins the Chester Vase?

Lambourn can give Aidan O'Brien a record-extending win in the race and enhance the trainer's already strong Derby team.

By Derby winner Australia, the three-year-old has 5lb on official ratings to find with Square D'Alboni, but his Ballysax effort was notable. The winner, Delacroix, was a Group 3-winning juvenile and had been beaten by just a nose in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy last year.

Lambourn15:05 Chester

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Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: A P O'Brien

What's the other highlight?

The Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks (2.35) has an illustrious roll of honour including the great Enable, who took this in 2017 before going on to win the Oaks, two Prix de l'Arc de Triomphes and three King Georges.

Diamondsandrubies, Magic Wand and Savethelastdance also went on to Group 1 success after landing this in the last decade and their trainer Aidan O'Brien is represented by Leopardstown maiden winner Minnie Hauk.

She bids to give O'Brien a sixth Cheshire Oaks since 2015 but faces a tough test against That's Amore for last year's winning trainer Ralph Beckett, while John and Thady Gosden are represented by Queen Of Thieves.

What's the best bet of the day?

Bob Mali has course and distance-winning form and that could prove key in Chester's 6f handicap (3.40).

The three-year-old was a star for Ollie Sangster last year when landing a hat-trick, including over this track and trip in September. He was then bought for 50,000gns and switched to Charlie Hills.

He made a fine return when runner-up behind well-handicapped stablemate Double Rush at the Craven meeting and is just 1lb higher. He has a good draw in stall two and the red-hot William Buick is booked to ride.