Contributor to pay his way for punters in Chester’s Dee Stakes

Two big Group Three contests are the highlights of the third and final day of the Chester Cup meeting, with Aidan O’Brien out to emulate the double he achieved with Astrology and Memphis Tennessee last year.

The latter returns to try to defend his title in the Ormonde Stakes, while Magician has the task of upsetting the well-fancied Contributor in the Dee Stakes.

13:45 Chester – Captain Bertie @ 9/2

The draw has certainly made this 7f handicap interesting, with the three big front-running fancies all positioned in the inside five stalls.

Whoever gets the running rail first could have a major advantage and although it is Chosen Character that has the plum position in stall one, Captain Bertie may be the one to side with from one place wider.

His drop to a mark of 91 is a tick in his column, alongside the rain in the last 24 hours. The other front runner Gandalak is the big danger, but he is up 9lb for a victory at Musselburgh last time.

14:15 Chester – Contributor @ 15/8

This doesn’t appear to be the toughest of Group Three contests and Contributor should be winning this if harbouring serious hopes of mixing it in the top races.

He has done nothing but improve on his three starts to date and looks the one to beat.

Willie The Whipper may be his biggest threat given that all of his winning has been on heavy ground so he should certainly appreciate any more late rain.

14:45 Chester – Mount Athos @ 6/5

This has to be regarded as a straight shoot-out between last year’s winner Memphis Tennessee and Mount Athos.

The former’s chances are fairly similar to 12 months ago, with conditions looking like they may be slightly testing and he arrives on the back of a fairly lengthy layoff.

Mount Athos seemingly needed further in the Japan Cup last time and was unlucky in running before that in the Melbourne Cup.

He should have no such problems here and can triumph.

15:15 Chester – Lyric Ace @ 14/1

Lyric Ace clearly went off the boil after a bright start to last season, but is down in class here and has dropped to an interesting official rating of 88. First-time blinkers could additionally be of assistance.

Storm Moon rates as the big danger from the inside stall, while Jillnextdoor has each-way claims if running close to the level that saw her finish fifth in the Cheveley Park Stakes last season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.