'We've gone a bit Willie Mullins but all three have a chance' - Hugo Palmer admits following the Irish maestro's playbook

The effect of the draw at Chester is less pronounced in the 7½f races than the sprints, although it remains a pertinent factor, and you won’t hear any complaints from connections of early favourite El Burhan about stall one. 

El Burhan signed off a productive juvenile campaign with a gallant third off top weight in a Glorious Goodwood nursery and has been gelded since. 

A big season in top handicaps and potentially more may be forthcoming, although a first-time tongue-tie hints at a potential breathing issue. Perhaps this test on a speed track is sharper than he requires as well.

El Burhan’s dam won over two miles and he is a son of strong soft-ground influence New Bay. We can expect more from El Burhan for middle distances down the line. 

Miami Matrix is another to have been drawn well in stall two for Hugo Palmer, who targets this meeting and also saddles Sweet Fantastic (four) Soldiers Star (nine). Miami Matrix’s draw and lightly raced profile makes him the most interesting of those three, having shown ability in three all-weather novices. 

Sex On Fire (stall three) responded well to a first-time visor when accounting for High On Hope (seven) at Haydock over a mile last month, but he benefited from a pace collapse there and may be vulnerable to something less exposed after eight starts.

God Of War (five) catches the eye on that score for Tom Clover. This handicap debutant was campaigned like a good horse at two, running in the Flying Scotsman and Horris Hill, and is bred to improve with age.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Tom Clover, trainer of God Of War
His form from the Scotsman is strong-ish and I don’t feel that was his true form that day either. He’s done well through the winter and he’s been training nicely, so we’re hoping for a good run.

Richard Spencer, trainer of Sex On Fire
He won well at Haydock, but the handicapper hasn’t been lenient with him. He’s got fitness on his side and the visor has helped him. He’s not got a bad draw in three and he’s run well off marks around this level in the past.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Miami Matrix, Sweet Fantastic and Soldiers Star
We've gone a bit Willie Mullins about it but all three have light weights and go there with a chance.

Read more of Thursday's previews:

1.30 Chester: 'He loves Chester and has a very obvious chance' - who really likes their prospects in the sprint? 

2.35 Chester: Aidan O'Brien has won six of the last seven Dee Stakes - will his dominance continue with favourite Mount Kilimanjaro? 

3.05 Chester: St Leger second Illinois bids to land race record for Aidan O'Brien with a Willie Mullins-trained raider lurking in the field  

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