May Festival: Somehow set to sizzle in Cheshire Oaks

David Metcalf | May 4, 2016

Somehow a solid bet in Cheshire Oaks

Somehow looks a worthy red-hot favourite to provide leading flat Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with another success in the Cheshire Oaks on the opening day of Chester’s May Festival (14:40).

The Ballydoyle handler has won the Listed contest four times in the past eight years, and in Somehow has a lightly raced filly who looks to have a bright future.

After shaping with bags of promise when third on her sole start as a juvenile, the daughter of Fastnet Rock created a good impression when making a winning return to action in a 1m 2f contest at Leopardstown last month.

Pleasing performance full of promise

Somehow travelled well on the heels of the leaders and, after being produced to take up the running 1 1/2 furlongs from home, kept on strongly to beat Shamreen by 1 3/4 lengths without being unduly knocked about.

The runner-up has since come out and scored, and the front two pulled 4 1/2 lengths clear of the field to give the form a strong look.

It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested Somehow needed keeping firmly onside.

The three-year-old, who is currently a 16/1 shot with Coral for the Oaks at Epsom, will also appreciate the step up to 1m 3f and with Ryan Moore in the saddle can take this en route to better things.