Charlie Appleby will be hoping the highly promising Hidden Law can book his ticket to Epsom on the Roodee this afternoon.
Fresh off the back of Notable Speech's stunning display in the 2000 Guineas last weekend, Charlie Appleby's intentions now turn to Chester where Hidden Law steps up in class to tackle the prestigious Chester Vase Stakes.
Hidden Law showed bundles of promise when going down narrowly to the reopposing Cadogan Place on debut at Southwell before getting off the mark with a striking turn of foot at Newbury second time out.
Appleby, who already houses the current Epsom Derby favourite Arabian Crown, said of the 16/1 Epsom contender Hidden Law on www.godolphin.com: "We were delighted with Hidden Law at Newbury, when he showed a big improvement from his first start,"
"We know this is a fair step up in class, but he looked to run to a decent level when winning his maiden. This will hopefully give us a clearer picture of his summer programme."
Aidan O'Brien will saddle two contenders in his bid for a record-extending eleventh Chester Vase, with joint-favourite Grosvenor Square the pick of Ryan Moore.
The Galileo colt made every yard of the running to land the Group 3 Eyresfield Stakes at Leopardstown last October and although Moore certainly believes his mount holds the best form in the book, he's by far from discounting stablemate Agenda, who will be partnered by Dylan Browne Mcmonagle for the first time on the back of his impressive Dundalk success.
Moore told Betfair: "He looks the clear form choice on his form at two. I didn't ride him in any of his three starts last year, but he followed up a good third in the Beresford when an impressive winner of a Group Three at Leopardstown on deep ground.
"He promises to be well suited to this trip and there is no reason to think he won't be as least as effective on a decent surface. In fact, he will probably improve for it.
"He's a good prospect, but our other Galileo colt, Agenda, is far from out of this, either."
The market clearly echoes Moore's thoughts that stablemate Agenda has been overlooked in the betting, with Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield reporting significant market support.
He said: "Aidan O'Brien has won 10 of the last 16 Chester Vases with Ryan Moore on seven of the most recent eight, but his mount and joint favourite Grosvenor Square is easy in the market, whilst, in contrast, stable companion Agenda is being well supported having already had an outing this season when scoring in a Dundalk maiden in March."
