Silvestre De Sousa: Improving Justice Angel can run well again at Chester

27 May | BY Betway | MIN READ TIME |

She handles the track well, says the champion flat jockey and Betway ambassador when looking ahead to his Saturday rides in his exclusive column

I’ve been very busy this week, riding at eight different tracks in five days and that doesn’t include a visit to Epsom to canter Harlequeen at Breakfast with the Stars.

I’m at Chester on Saturday where you never quite know what your chances are. It’s a very sharp track and you need a well-balanced horse with a lot of speed – especially right from the gates.

Chester Saturday rides

In the opening Betway Novice Stakes (1.45pm) I ride Oceanus for Ed Dunlop. Ed’s been brilliant to me. His yard is in great form and with a bit of luck you never know.

He ran well to finish third behind Cunco, the Frankel colt, at Newbury and should have come on for the run.

It just depends if he’s going to like Chester and unfortunately he’s been handed a wide draw in six.

I hope the 5lb rise won’t be a problem for Justice Angel in the Betway Fillies’ Handicap (2.15pm). She is very well-balanced and showed she handles the track when winning here last time out.

Although she’s got a penalty for that win, and this is a better race, she’s definitely improving and she can run well again. Mr Elsworth would not be running a horse if he didn’t think it had a chance.

I haven’t had too many rides for William Haggas this season and I’m pleased to be getting on Valley of Fire in the Betway Handicap (2.50pm).

His horses are in good form and this one could go well carrying a light weight. Coming out of stall 10 doesn’t help, though, and we’ll need a bit of luck.

In the 1m5f Betway Handicap (3.25pm) I’m on Winterlude and It’s tricky to know how good he is.

If he’s somewhere near his best, he’s dangerous in this company, but carrying 9st 7lb from stall 12 is going to be very tricky.

I’d follow Franny Norton as he will have the pick of Mark Johnston’s horses. He’s chosen Zand, despite being drawn in 10, who could be one to watch.

Ten Rocks needs to find around 20lbs to get competitive in the maiden (4.00pm) and we might be outclassed. With Franny drawn on the inside on Billy Slater, he looks a big danger and could get away from us at the start.

Mr Beckett is doing very well with his horses and Hereawi looks a nice ride in the 4.35pm.

The horse has been off the track for a month and he’s probably taken a bit of time out to freshen up. He’s the best drawn horse I have all day, coming out of stall four, so has to have a good chance.

A look ahead to Epsom’s Classics

I partnered Mick’s Channon’s Harlequeen at Breakfast with the Stars and it’s fair to say she’s not that easy to ride. It’s not yet been decided if she’ll take her chance in the Investec Oaks but we were happy with the work.

In the Investec Derby, I think Sir Michael Stoute’s Across The Stars is an interesting runner. If he can handle Epsom a little better than he did Linfield, he should have a great chance.

He was a bit inexperienced last time out but he’s a very nice horse.