Nick’s Picks: Will City hit a winning Streak?

Thursday, Chester

NIGHT ON EARTH is given a chance at 8/1 on his second start for a new yard in the opener at Chester on Thursday (1.30pm). A horse with one very rapid gear, he needs everything to drop right, particularly at the gates, but the price dictates that a chance must be taken. Because if he does break quickly, he’ll take some catching from stall one; he ran two terrific races here last year from higher marks and can act with cut in the ground.

THEORYOFEVERYTHING gets a narrow vote in the next (2.05pm) at 9/2. Striking in very deep ground on his debut, he ran pretty well in the Greenham behind two good horses, and wasn’t unduly pushed when his chance had gone. His mark doesn’t flatter him, and I’m not as worried about the draw at this distance with the cutaway in play, particularly as he has loads of pace to aim at.

LOCAL DYNASTY is the percentage play in a tricky looking Dee Stakes (2.40pm) at 4/1. We’re used to Ballydoyle horses taking big steps forward in this, but this horse sets a nice bar on what he achieved last year and showed an ability to travel well in soft ground. There look no issues with his stamina for this and he’s bred to be very smart as a close relative of Yibir and Wild Illusion.

LONE EAGLE is worth a small investment at a huge price of 16/1 in the Ormonde Stakes (3.15pm). There are others with more compelling credentials, but they are either making seasonal debuts in testing ground, or aren’t yet proven at this level. The selection – right up there with the best of his class two years ago – is very effective on soft ground and ran quite an eye-catching race for his new yard at Newbury, staying on again when it looked as though he might completely fall away. If that has brought him forward, he has the ability to run well.

CITY STREAK has loads going for him in the 10 furlong handicap (3.45pm) at 5/1. The stable does really well here, he’s bred to keep getting better (half-brother to Quickthorn), is in good form, and has shown an aptitude for the track. He can continue to progress.