Hans Up

Ballydoyle have already stamped their considerable presence on Chester's May meeting and Thursday's G3 MBNA Chester Vase has been a happy hunting ground of late, with Aidan O'Brien capturing five of the last eight renewals. With the chief candidate Giovanni Canaletto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) ruled out of the equation earlier this week, it is up to Michael Tabor's Hans Holbein (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) to fly the flag and he is a typical improver based on his latest maiden win over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown Apr. 15. Godolphin rely on Future Empire (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), who tackles this trip for the first time having finished runner-up to Christophermarlowe (Tapit) in the 10-furlong Epsom Derby Trial last time Apr. 22. “Future Empire stayed on well at Epsom Downs and has been working nicely since then,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented. “He is ready for the step up to a mile and a half and I am hopeful that he can run a good race.” William Haggas has opted to send Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's Storm the Stars (Sea the Stars {Ire}) back into action just 12 days after his authoritative 10-furlong Leicester maiden success and that is significant. “He won with a bit in hand at Leicester and this mile and a half will suit him,” the owner's racing manager Bruce Raymond told PA Sport. “We were disappointed with his first run of the season at Newmarket, but William made the horse's mind up for him by making the running at Leicester and it worked out great.”