Huxley Stakes: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Andrew Balding holds a strong hand with Highland Knight and Bonfire, and it's the former who gets the vote after his good second in a Group 2 at Sandown recently...

Timeform analyse each runner in a competitive renewal of the Huxley Stakes at Chester...

Bonfire landed the Dante on return last year but rather let down by his flighty temperament thereafter. Just a respectable third in Group 3 at Newmarket on reappearance and needs to build on that.

Danadana made giant strides last year, scoring at Newmarket, Redcar and York. Looks ready for a step up in grade on return for in-form yard.

Dick Doughtywylie won a maiden over C&D in 2011, and belatedly back to that form to land a minor event at Doncaster last September. Good fifth in Group 3 at Sandown on return but another step up required.

Gabrial progressed well at 3 yrs, landing Silver Bowl at Haydock, and looked better than ever when winning listed race at Doncaster on return, albeit hanging badly right. Worth another try at this trip.

Highland Knight was better than ever last year, winning listed race at Pontefract and Group 2 event at Baden-Baden. Better for return when second in Group 2 at Sandown last time and strong contender if seeing out trip.

Miblish posted some creditable efforts in defeat in 2012 and has improved again both starts this year, making all in listed event at Kempton last time. More needed but that entirely possible.

Rewarded walked over on return last year before following up in 1m handicap at Newmarket in May. Not disgraced in better company since but likely to prove vulnerable again.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Highland Knight
2. Danadana 
3. Bonfire

Timeform View: Andrew Balding holds a strong hand with Highland Knight and Bonfire, and it's the former who gets the vote after his good second in a Group 2 at Sandown recently. Gabrial and Danadana also need considering.

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Timeform Daily: Huxley Stakes, Chester, Thursday 14:20

Race of the Day / Timeform / 05 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Aidan O'Biren win the Huxley with Await The Dawn?

"It was hard not to be impressed with Await The Dawn's runaway success at Leopardstown last autumn and he looks the type to develop into a Group 1 performer in the coming months."

There are two Group 3s at Chester on Thursday, but this one gets the nod over the Vase as the Timeform Race of the Day....

Await The Dawn has been successful on 3 of his 4 starts, not extended when improving a chunk to land 1¼m Group 3 at Leopardstown in September. Likely to develop into a top-class performer this year and the one to beat.

Critical Moment improved when winning twice last July, making most in 1m Goodwood listed event for second win. Looked ready for a step back up to this trip when third in Ascot listed event on last week's return.

Distant Memories is a smart and consistent gelding, only once out of first 3 since debut. Gained biggest win in Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor in August but yet to be risked on ground faster than good.

Dream Eater ran well several times in good company last season, just denied in 1m Group 2 in Turkey in September. Respectable effort on seasonal reappearance (Group 2) but stamina for this trip a concern.

Forte Dei Marmi was a typical improver for the yard in handicaps last year, winning 4 of 6 starts, best effort when winning valuable event at Newbury in September. Disappointing on reappearance but should do better.

Light From Mars hasn't taken long to get on the up for new yard, smart effort when landing 1m Spring Cup at Newbury last time. Capable of mixing it at this level, but stamina to prove up in trip.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Await The Dawn
2. Forte Dei Marmi
3. Distant Memories

Timeform's View: It was hard not to be impressed with Await The Dawn's runaway success at Leopardstown last autumn and he looks the type to develop into a Group 1 performer in the coming months. He can overcome his penalty here at the main expense of Forte Dei Marmi, who is better than he showed on his Newmarket reappearance.

It's the first day of the Chester May meeting and the highlight is the Chester Cup, a handicap over two miles and two furlongs. Timeform take you through the field runner by runner.......

The best of today's racing action comes over in Ireland, with the opening day of the Punchestown Festival, but this 7f handicap from Newcastle should prove one of the more competitive races of the day on these shores......

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