With the first two Classics of the year only just wrapped up, there is no chance for a breather as attention quickly switches to Chester's ever-popular May meeting.

A host of trials take place on the Roodee over the course of three days, although it is Wednesday's £120,000 totesport.com Chester Cup that typically steals the show.

Run over an extended two and a quarter miles, there can be fewer races all season guaranteed to generate the excitement provided by a big field jostling for position around the unique circuit.

Double Banded impressed on his reappearance and sits at the head of the ante-post lists, but a fair few gambles are sure to challenge his position come the big day.

For those who prefer to dissect the form ahead of Epsom's mile-and-a-half fillies' Classic, the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks provides able support on day one.

The Grant Thornton Huxley Stakes and Bank Of America Chester Vase are the feature events on Thursday and look sure to unearth a few smart sorts for the season ahead.

However, in recent years the most informative Derby trial has proved to be Friday's Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes, which is supported by the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes.

Oath and Kris Kin have used the former as a stepping stone to glory in the Vodafone Derby in recent years and punters are advised to keep a close eye on this year's proceedings.

Back to tomorrow and the going will be Good to Soft with good in places.

Channel 4 will be covering the first four races live each day, and subscribers to RUK can watch the whole of the six race card live in their armchair. Prize money of £229,500 is a new record for the opening
day at the Roodee.

Racing comes under starters orders at 1.45 with the Joseph Heler Cheese Lily Agnes Stakes over the minimum trip, the race commemorates a truly great horse.

A winner of 24 races, she was even more famous as a broodmare as her son Ormonde the triple classic winner of 1886 is regarded by many pundits as the best flat horse of all time.

She was buried at Eaton Hall Nr Chester, by her owner the Duke Of Westminster.

Alan Bailey, who many local punters followed at Chester due to his
Tarporley links, now trains at Newmarket but he still has local owners in the Wrexham area with businessmen Gordon Mytton, Paul Murphy and Paul Davies.

He was very keen on his charge Aspen Darlin in the opener and said: "She will go very close, she is a lovely filly who won very well on her debut at Warwick."

I would advise a saver on the David Evans filly She's A shaw Thing who has won both her races at Warwick and Nottingham with authority.

The Weatherby's Bank Chester Oaks over a mile and three furlongs is run as a memorial race for the the late Robert Sangster, a former steward at the course and a life long supporter of the Roodee.

This race can to Sugar Mint, who is trained by his old friend Barry Hills, the undisputed king of Chester, no man under or above the turf had had as many winners at Chester as Hills.

His charge showed plenty of ability as a 2yr old, most notably when 4th to Spacious in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.That form looks solid now as Spacious was runner up to Natagora in the 1000gns last Sunday.

The main danger is the John Gosden trained Queen Of Naples who won at Wolverhampton by five lengths very easily last time out.

Hills can land a double at his favourite course with Daraahem in the Boodles Diamond Maiden Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

Alan Bailey is expecting his charge Misterisland to run well in this race.

The feature race on the first day is the £120,000 Totesport Chester Cup over two and a quarter miles.

Richard Fahey won this race last year with Greenwich Meantime, his charge must have solid each way claims with racing only a pound higher than when winning last season.

Michael Jarvis won this race in 2004 & 2005 with Anna Pekan, and he has a very contender in Black Rock, and at odds of 9-1, I would rate him a cracking each way bet.

However the best Chester Cup trial that I have see so far this season is that of the John Dunlop runner Double Banded (Nap), the Mark Of Esteem gelding beat Tilt going away by a length and a quarter last time out at Nottingham, he gave the impression that he needed a longer trip.
The extra half mile should suit tomorrow.

One of the toughest races on the card is the Brietling Watches & Waltons of Chester Handicap over the minimum trip. Horses drawn low have a definate advantage over the tight course. Even off a mark of 100, I feel that the Dandy Nicholls trained Buachall Dona is still on a handy mark.

The last race is the Walker Smith Way Handicap Stakes over a mile and a half.

It is good to see Henry Cecil having such a good start to the season and the great man can land the spoils with Burn The Breeze, who is very progressive filly who beat the well regarded Meehan runner Changing Skies by a length and a quarter last time out at Newbury, the step up in trip should hold no fears for the daughter of Beat Hollow.

Cheser Racecourse will be the setting for a preview evening tonight.

The racecourse and Northern Racing Club have organised the event to be held at the Long Room, from 7.45pm.

The panel of racing experts includes Racing UK TV presenter, Mark Howard and Daily Star racing editor, Tony Lewis.

Admission is £5 with a cash bar available on the night. Further details can be obtained by logging onto: www.chester-races.co.uk or by contacting Phil Evans by email at: info@northernracingclub.com

* Yesterdays' South Shropshire point-to-point meeting at Eyton on Seven produced a very good days racing with Wolverhampton trainer Sue Taylor taking honours with a double, both of whom were ridden by the top lady rider Claire Allen, who was recording her 14th winner of the season.

The first leg came in the Ladies Open on Mad Victor. The other came in the the Open Maiden aboard Frankie Bee.

The Mens Open, which went to the Heidi Brookshaw trained Home Made.

Another horse to benefit from making every yard at Eyton was The Randy Bishop, who was given a very enterprising ride by Adam Wadlow.

Gordie Edwards horses are in good form this season and he has a very useful sort in Magnetic Pole who won in the Confined race.

The two and a half mile Maiden was a thrilling affair, with Alexander Zone winning while Patricks Double won the Restricted.