Horse Racing Tips: There’s a star pupil at Kempton

Flat racing holds sway on Wednesday afternoon with a Premier Raceday from Chester for day one of Chester’s prestigious May meeting. 

There are also some competitive handicaps from the south at Kempton on Wednesday evening. We’ve picked out a trio of selections to follow from across the card on Wednesday, including an each-way value pick that can outrun his odds.

Today's Horse Races

15:05 Chester - Lambourn @ 13/8

The feature race on Wednesday afternoon is the Chester Vase, which can be a key pointer to the Epsom Derby in a month's time.  

It's a race that has been dominated by Ballydoyle since 2007 with Aidan O'Brien landing a remarkable 10 renewals and it's also worth noting that the Irish maestro's Derby winner, Wings Of Eagles, was also sent for this race, finishing runner-up before going on to score on the Downs. 

O'Brien has only won one of the last four, but he's had the runner-up in the last two renewals, and this time around Lambourn looks high up on his list of Derby contenders for 2025. 

This son of Australia followed up his Killarney maiden win with a Listed success in France last term and while he disappointed in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh, he was probably ready for a step up in trip at that point. 

He then got right back on track with a staying on second to a smart stablemate in a Leopardstown Group 3, again shaping like a step up in trip would be in his favour. 

Quicker ground could also suit Lambourn and he should get a solid pace to aim at given his stablemate Thrice may be there to ensure there's an honest gallop. He looks capable of giving Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore a record 11th and ninth renewal respectively.

16:45 Chester - Boardman @ 9/1

In Chester's finale on day one, Boardman may be worth chancing at a probable double-figure price. 

This Tim Easterby representative has a cracking track record, having won three here previously, all over the extended seven furlongs, but he has the speed for the bare seven furlongs, too, and this is his sort of ground. 

The yard's horses have been running much better first time out this season than in previous years and the course specialist appears to have been forgotten about in the market.

Horse Racing Odds

17:28 Kempton - Top Of The Class @ 11/4

A good apprentice rider can be worth their weight in gold, particularly in races confined to those who are still claiming, and Top Of The Class looks like a fascinating contender for talented young rider Jack Callan. 

This five-year-old mare is a three-time course and distance winner, who hit the crossbar when back to form here last month.  

That was arguably a career-best effort and the assessor has left her on the same mark; this thriving mare should run well again in what looks a slightly weaker race.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.