Galileo Dame can be Cup Queen at Chester

The Ladbrokes Chester Cup can often go to a good dual-purpose horse and Joseph O’Brien’s Galileo Dame may fit the bill this year.

The mare was last seen finishing second in a competitive Navan handicap over a 2800m in March and has proven stamina from her efforts over hurdles, including a 0.5-length second over 4000m in December.

O’Brien has a strong hand in the £170,000 feature on Friday, also saddling A Piece Of Heaven and Irish Cesarewitch winner Puturhandstogether, who has been struggling in competitive handicap hurdles of late but merits plenty of respect back on the level.

The Ewan Whillans-trained hat-trick seeker Team Player is another worth a mention, but with Ryan Moore booked for the ride Galileo Dame gets the vote.

The Group Two Deepbridge Huxley Stakes is headlined by last year’s Derby winner, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Lambourn.

The son of Australia emulated his sire by winning not only at Epsom but also landing the Irish Derby at the Curragh last summer and although he came up short in the final two races of his Classic year, he was only beaten 3 lengths in the St Leger and has less on his plate dropping back to Group Two level.

The 2000m trip might be on the short side for him, but it will still be a surprise if a return to the site of his impressive Chester Vase victory 12 months ago does not see Lambourn get back to winning ways, with cheekpieces fitted for the first time.

Charlie Johnston has his string in excellent form and can add to his tally with Clouds Hill in the CAA Stellar Great Cheshire Handicap.

The Cracksman colt won with plenty in hand on his first start over 2000m at Yarmouth last week and it is no surprise connections have opted to turn him out quickly under a 5lb penalty. If he can get to the front from a slightly wider draw than ideal, he will take some pegging back.

Ascot’s Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap for three-year-olds looks a good opportunity for Albaydaa to secure her first handicap success.

William Haggas’ charge ran creditably enough when third in a competitive Newmarket handicap last month and the way she was keeping on in the closing stages, coupled with her pedigree, suggests the Pinatubo filly is likely to benefit from the return to 1400m.

One of the newcomers will have to be pretty smart to deny Bint Archange a first win in the Juddmonte EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes.

The Richard Hughes-trained filly shaped with plenty of promise when third on her Newmarket debut last month and the form looks solid enough, with the fourth home Beauty Box winning at Windsor earlier this week.

With William Buick aboard, Bint Archange can go a couple of places better in Berkshire.

Lord Of The Glance has been in good enough form of late to take the Lucas Machinery Novices’ Limited Handicap Hurdle at Market Rasen. The 10-length Stratford winner looked to have every chance of following up before unseating his rider after the last at Plumpton last time out. – Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

CHESTER: Race 1: 14.30 Clouds Hill, Race 2: 15.05 Joulany, Race 3: 15.35 LAMBOURN (NAP), Race 4: 16.05 Galileo Dame, Race 5: 16.40 The Good Biscuit, Race 6: 17.10 Kate O’Riley, Race 7: 17.45 Champonie, Race 8: 18.20 Patagonia Girl.

ASCOT: Race 1: 14.50 Albaydaa, Race 2: 15.20 Bint Archange, Race 3: 15.55 Gone By, Race 4: 16.25 Hucklesbrook, Race 5: 17.00 Moscow Power, Race 6: 17.35 King’s Trust, Race 7: 18.10 Expressionless.

MARKET RASEN: Race 1: 15.10 Calibos, Race 2: 15.45 Lord Of The Glance, Race 3: 16.15 Jasmin De Cotte, Race 4: 16.50 Classic King, Race 5: 17.20 Porter In The Park, Race 6: 17.52 De Deli Counter.

RIPON: Race 1: 18.45 Red Spells Danger, Race 2: 19.15 Dalamara, Race 3: 19.45 Betweenthesticks, Race 4: 20.15 U Sure Do, Race 5: 20.45 No Knee Never, Race 6: 21.15 Port Darwin.

WOLVERHAMPTON: Race 1: 19.00 Rubellite, Race 2: 19.30 Leucothea, Race 3: 20.00 Forever Perfect, Race 4: 20.30 Silver Lake, Race 5: 21.00 Autumn Affair, Race 6: 21.30 Faster Bee, Race 7: 22.00 Enter Sandman.

DOUBLE: Lambourn and Galileo Dame (Chester, Races 3 and 4).