Chester Vase Preview: Orchestra can hit the high notes

Aidan O’Brien has farmed this race in recent years and looks to have two leading contenders in this year’s renewal (2.45, Thursday, May 8th) with Carlo Bugatti and Orchestra.

The Ballydoyle handler has saddled four of the last seven winners, including subsequent Derby winner Ruler of The World 12 months ago.

Carlo Bugatti is the choice of stable jockey Joseph O’Brien, and looked a decent prospect when winning at Galway on on his juvenile debut.

The son of Montjeu was picthed into Group 3 company on the back of that effort on his seasonal reappearance at Navan, and was far from disgraced in finishing fourth of eight to Fascinating Rock.

Like may O’Brien runners, Carlo Bugatti shaped as if he would come on for the run and now sports blinkers for the first time.

For me, the headgear will need to bring about plenty of improvement for Carlo to land the spoils and I prefer the chances of stable companion Orchestra.

The colt made a promising debut as a juvenile when chasing home the highly regarded Free eagle at Leopardstown, before scoring a comfortable two length success over Lugarno Palace over 7f at Tipperary.
The son of Galileo has bags of scope and is bred to excel over middle distances, and with Ryan Moore in the saddle rates the one they all have to beat.
The most interesting of the “home team” could well be Seagull Star.

Trained by William Haggas, the son of Sea The Stars put in a very taking performance when landing a 13-runner Newmarket maiden on his debut last October.

Seagull Star was the upped in class for his seasonal reappearance when contesting the valuable Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket, and ran a blinder to finish a not knocked about third to Sudden Wonder.

The colt, who looked in need of the run that day, should now be spot on to do himself justice and looks a major player if progressing as expected.