The County Stand and Tatts were sold out months ago, but the clerk of the course Ed Gretton said yesterday that here are still tickets available for the Dee Stand. There is also very good prize money of £196,000 on offer.

Racing comes under starters orders at 1.45 pm with the Bank Of Ireland handicap stakes over a mile and a quarter over a mile and a quarter.

Newmarket trainer John Gosden can land the opener with Escape Route who beat Luberon well at Great Leighs last time out and can go in again.

The feature race on the card is the £65,000 (Group 3) Bank Of America Chester Vase, a noted Epsom Derby trial over a mile and a half. Names that have won this trial and then the blue ribband just roll off the tongue, legends of the turf such as the ill fated Shergar in 1981.

The best ever winner of this trial is Lord Derby's Hyperion in 1933, who won the Epsom Derby and the St Leger very easily, the son of Selene was the greatest racehorse of the first half of the 20th century, he was also a very successful stallion at stud.

John Gosden, whose horses are in tremendous form this season, can complete a double at the Roodee. I was very impressed with his charge Pampas Cat (Nap) when he made a very impressive debut at headquarters beating Daraaham by five lengths.

The extra two furlongs look tailor-made for the Seeking The Gold colt although the principal danger to my selection is the Barry Hills trained Feared In Flight, who unlike my selection does have an entry in the Epsom Derby, and he finished an eyecatching third to Centenial at Sandown last time out.

Another Group 3 race on the card is the Grant Thornton Huxley Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

Sir Michael Stoute's course specialist Maraahel will be trying to win this race for the fourth concecutive year. Stoutey's horses are in good form this season and he must have very strong claims at a course he seems to love.

However I will oppose him with the Cecil trained Multidimensional, who finished fourth to stable mate Pheonix Tower at Newmarket last time out.

The race was not run to suit the the son of Sacred Song, who has to be held up until the last possible moment, he had no cover at
headquarters, the pace should be more to his liking at the Roodee.

Newmarket trainer Barry Hills has had more winners at Chester than any trainer under the turf or above it and his charge Senatorial will take all the beating in the Boodles Diamond EBF Maiden Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

His charge made a very satisfacory debut at Newmarket when a close up fifth to the well regarded Art Connoissuer and looks certain to come on for the race.

However don't rule Musical Bridge who is trained locally at Chester by Lisa Williamson,.

The Night Shift colt was only just touched off by a nose last time out at Bath and Williamson is expecting a good run.

"He was so unlucky at Bath," she said. "I thought he should have won. He really comes into this race without a penalty so to speak.

"I have been very pleased with his work at home. Tolley Dean has been down to ride him in work this week and he was very pleased with him. It would be nice to have another winner at my local course, and we go there with a very good chance."

The Halifax Handicap Stakes over seven furlongs can go to the Michael Jarvis trained Royalist, who ran out a very easy winner at Doncaster last time out beating Alwaabel by three and three quarter lengths, and can in again at the expense of Ed Dunlops unbeaten Wasan.

The last race at 4.35pm is the Cruise Handicap Stakes over 6 furlongs, this can go to the Simon Kirk trained Fathsta. The course and distance winner is off a very handy mark and can go in at a decent price.