Horse Racing Betting Tips: Fox looks fantastic bet against O’Brien pair in the Dee Stakes
WHEN Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the billionaire Leicester City chairman and racehorse owner, was tragically killed in a helicopter crash last October, his son Aiyawatt pledged to continue with his father’s visions.
Away from football, one of those dreams was to expand his passionate horseracing ownership interests under the King Power umbrella and to nurture an exciting crop of racehorses.
The signing of champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa as retained rider for the season was an early show of intent and the partnership has begun the season in red-hot form.
A Group-race double with Beat The Bank and Bangkok at Sandown last month has been the highlight so far, but another high profile success could come their way in this afternoon’s Homeserve Dee Stakes (2.25pm) at Chester.
The aptly-named FOX CHAIRMAN made his belated racecourse debut at Newbury last month and rewarded the patience of connections with a breathtaking performance.
The son of Kingman swept into the lead at the two-furlong pole, powering away to record a facile four-length victory.
It wasn’t what he beat, it was the manner in which he travelled and then put the race to bed that really caught the eye.
The form of that race is beginning to measure up well too, with the runnerup only just being touched off in the Esher Cup, while the fourth has been out and turned-over a Godolphin-owned hotpot.
Any softening of the ground shouldn’t inconvenience while the step up in trip is also likely to play to his strengths.
The 3/1 available looks worth taking, although it would be no surprise to see him drift a little considering the quality of the opposition.
Speaking of which, he obviously has most to fear from the Ballydoyle team who saddle red-hot favourite CIRCUS MAXIMUS.
Aidan O’Brien is looking to land this Listed contest for an eighth time and register a remarkable fifth Dee Stakes in seven years.
Circus Maximus hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since being beaten a length when fourth in last season’s Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.
That form looks pretty strong now with the winner Magna Grecia landing last Saturday’s 2000 Guineas and he will certainly be a tough nut to crack.
Ryan Moore has partnered both of the stable’s last two winners of the race and will fancy his chances of landing the hat-trick with the step up in trip also likely to suit his mount.
It is also worth noting that he broke his maiden on heavy ground at Gowran Park last September, so he won’t be inconvenienced if the ground deteriorates any further.
The same cannot be said for last season’s Royal Lodge winner MOHAWK who looks another leading contender if the ground dries out.
He is the most experienced of these with six runs as a juvenile and this son of Galileo looks to be crying out for the step up in trip.
However, he has done all of his racing on a decent surface and his ability to handle the ground would have to be taken on trust.
Looking at the other four runners, if there is to be a turn-up, it is likely to be the Mark Johnston-trained Living Legend.
He has won his last two and is definitely respected despite the fact he takes a big step up in class here.
Franny Norton will make a bold bid from the front from stall one, but he may just be found wanting in this grade.
Allmankind got better with every start last season, but is another who may be in a little too deep here.
This son of Sea The Stars finished second to Line Of Duty at Goodwood last September before bolting up in his maiden at Chelmsford last October.
There has to be a doubt over whether Dark Jedi will actually stay, while this is a monster step up in class for Mohtarrif.
BILL ESDAILE’S DEE STAKES1-2-3
1 FOX CHAIRMAN
2 CIRCUS MAXIMUS
3 MOHAWK