Chester Preview (16.20): Sir Isaac Newton the star act

Sir Isaac Newton, who is currently 10/1 with Coral for the Investec Derby, makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance in the Homeserve Maiden Stakes at Chester today (16.20) and looks a worthy odds-on favourite to make it a winning one.

The Aidan O’Brien trained colt fetched 3.6m as a yearling and, although turned-over at odds-on on his sole start as a juvenile in a 7f contest at Leopardstown, shaped with bags of promise.

Sir Isaac Newton was going best of the 11-runner field two from home, and looked all over the winner when being produced to lead inside the final furlong until getting headed close home and beaten 1/2 a length by Zawraq.

The pair pulled seven lengths clear of the third, and the winner is a very smart sort trained by Dermot Weld who has since gone on to land a Listed contest in terrific style by 3 1/2 lengths and is currently 7/1 second favourite with Coral for the Derby.

That form is head and shoulders above what any of today’s rivals have achieved, and Sir Isaac Newton has reportedly thrived over the winter.

The beautifully bred son of Galileo will also appreciate the step up in trip to 1m 2f, as he is a a full brother to Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture and bred to come into his own over middle distances.

With Ryan Moore in the saddle, it will be a major surprise if Sir Isaac Newton doesn’t take this with the minimum of fuss before going on to much better things.

Newmarket trainer John Gosden has won three of the last four renewals of the race, and his Keble looks the only conceivable danger.

The son of Teofilo ran well on his sole start last year when third at Newcastle, and stepped up on that form on seasonal reappearance over 1m at Newbury when finding only Intilaaq too strong.