Ivy Creek, who has created a favourable impression when winning both his starts this year, is the fancy to keep his unbeaten record intact,

despite stepping up in grade in the Cheshire Regement Dee Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Chester this afternoon.

Geoff Wragg's imposing colt was relatively easy to back but showed he possessed bundles of ability when beating subsequent handicap winner Airbuss in very fluent fashion around the sharp left handed turns of Warwick on his debut.

And he stepped up a fair way on that form when held up off a muddling gallop at Sandown last time when also displaying admirable battling qualities to beat Tell in a conditions event over a mile.

Given his style of racing and that he is a half-brother to Sir Michael Stoute's useful middle distance stayer Distinction, he should relish the step up to this trip and he is open to improvement.

Similar comments apply to Ed Dunlop's Easy Air, also unbeaten in two starts and fancied to score on his turf debut in the Edward Homes Handicap over the extended seven furlongs.

Despite missing the break on both outings on Lingfield's Polytrack, the three-year-old, a half brother to the smart Court Masterpiece, has won in the manner of a potentially useful sort on both occasions and could be well in from only 86 on this handicap debut.

Dettori, who rides the latter, has prospects aboard Gerard Butler's Compton Bolter in the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes over a mile and five but preference is for Marcus Tregoning's Mubtaker.

Malcheek, a triple seven furlong winner on fast ground at Thirsk, should have no problems with Chester and is the fancy under a penalty for last Saturday's win in the Warwick International Handicap over the extended seven furlongs.

Although a touch keen on that occasion, Tim Easterby's four-year-old also showed a good attitude to repel all raiders and, given his physique, is the type to progress again this term. He is fancied to reverse recent placings with Dabbers Ridge.

River Alhaarth has improved with every outing and is sure to give a good account after a promising reappearance run in a race that is working out well in the Owen Promotions Handicap over a mile and a half.

At Hamilton's evening meeting, Howard Johnson fields an interesting newcomer with a pedigree to handle quick ground and he is taken to beat Nufoudh in the opening juvenile event over five furlongs.

Johnson has a useful sort in Pacific Pride who was a bit disappointing on his last few runs of last term but he is the sort to do better this year and is taken to beat Obe Brave in the MITIE Conditions stakes over six furlongs.

* Papal Bull won the Group Three MBNA Europe Bank Chester Vase for Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon. The 6-4 favourite seemed to be the first of the five runners under pressure as Frankie Dettori set a generous pace in front aboard Primary. However, Fallon was not unduly worried and when the gap appeared he guided his mount through to charge down the straight and win by a comfortable three-quarters of a length from Dragon Dancer (7-2).

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