Benvenuto Cellini 2/7 Leads the Charge for O’Brien and Moore at Chester
When you see **Aidan O’Brien** and **Ryan Moore** teamed up at Chester, it’s safe to assume a formidable performance is on the cards. Today’s 15:05, a 1m 4f 63y Handicap on good going, looks like a cakewalk for the highly-touted **Benvenuto Cellini** at prohibitive odds of **2/7**. The AI confidence level for this selection is an imposing 95%, and it’s easy to see why. The Galileo colt stormed home to win by 4 lengths at Leopardstown last time out, and this sharp, turning track is tailor-made for his cruising speed and tactical versatility.
O’Brien’s record at Chester during the May meeting is staggering, with a 32% strike rate over the last five years. Moore, as patient and tactically astute as ever, has ridden plenty of key winners here and thrives in precisely this kind of scenario — small fields where his ability to control the race from the front can shine through. This may not be a betting proposition for many at the skinny odds, but it’s an ideal banker for **accumulators**, and you won’t want to miss checking out all of today’s accumulator tips over on our Accumulator Tips page.
Arabian Desert 1/1: Fahey and Ryan Bring the Heat in Chester’s 16:10
Later on Chester’s card, the **16:10**, a 1m 2f 70y Handicap, brings **Arabian Desert**, backed into **1/1**, into sharp focus. **Rossa Ryan**, who has become a go-to jockey in northern racing circles, takes the ride for trainer **Richard Fahey**. This four-year-old has been knocking on the door, finishing second in two consecutive starts at York and Haydock, but returns to slightly calmer waters here.
The Chester draw bias is always worth factoring into any bet — low draws dominate here — and Arabian Desert has landed a plum berth in stall 2. Fahey’s runners traditionally thrive on tight, turning tracks like this one, and he boasts a 25% win rate with Ryan aboard in handicaps over the past 18 months. Good going poses no concerns, given his solid efforts in similar conditions, and the field of seven should give Ryan every chance to settle him mid-division before pouncing in the final furlong.
If the even money doesn’t entice a straight win bet, this could be a shrewd inclusion for **double or treble-building** strategies with **Benvenuto Cellini**. Use our Bet Calculator to see how your multiples could pay today.
Belle Le Grand 9/10: Dan and Harry Skelton Set to Dominate Newton Abbot’s 15:50
Over at Newton Abbot, the Skelton brothers look poised to strike with **Belle Le Grand**, a 9/10 market leader in the 15:50 over 2m 167y. The ground comes up officially good, with good-to-soft patches reported, which plays right into her strong travelling style. The mare already has wins to her name on similar ground at Ludlow and Stratford, and this drop back in trip looks ideal after fading slightly late on when third at Warwick in March.
It’s hard to argue with the Skelton duo’s synergy — they strike at an impressive 28% together over the last two years, with a particularly strong record in lower-grade hurdles. Facing just five rivals today, this one should have minimal trouble asserting superiority, and a win here could springboard Belle Le Grand into bigger contests later this summer.
Find her alongside other standout selections on our Today’s Tips page.
Value Bets: Big Prices Worth a Second Look
If short-priced favourites don’t stir the blood, several runners trading at eye-catching odds spark serious intrigue. Let’s start with **Dream Of Ithaca** in Kempton’s 19:00, knocking around at a huge **150/1**. While the AI confidence level is just 45%, punters will note that Rhys Clutterbuck rides, and this lightly raced three-year-old managed a decent third here over 7f on his all-weather debut back in January. He clearly enjoys Kempton’s Polytrack, so perhaps dismissing him outright might be unwise for speculative **each-way backers** — and at those odds, the place return alone could be stellar. Use our Each-Way Tips section for more insight on similar bets.
Another lively outsider appears in Chester’s 15:40. **Do Bronxs** is available at an enticing **28/1**, and while lacking the star power of some rivals, David Egan in the saddle is no small upgrade. Drawn reasonably well in stall 5 and competing in a wide-open field, Egan’s smart race-riding might just elevate this one into the placings. Paired with the open going conditions, there’s definitely a whisper of value here.
Browse all head-to-head matchups for these longshots to see where advantages might lie.
Competitive Handicaps: Where the Betting Will Likely Surge
Three major handicaps dominate the betting interest today, all featuring 14 runners. Firstly, Chester’s **16:45**, a 7f 1y affair on good ground, promises tactical intrigue, while Kempton’s **19:30** and **20:00** on the Polytrack should keep all-weather aficionados busy. These larger fields are ripe for **each-way punting opportunities**, and finding a runner prominent in the betting but available at **4/1 or longer** can often yield the best returns.
Keep an eye on late market movers in these tightly contested races. Our Fast Results page will be updated instantly as the action unfolds.
Best Bets Summary: Wednesday 6th May
- Benvenuto Cellini (Chester 15:05) – 2/7: O’Brien and Moore near-certainty. Best for accumulators.
- Arabian Desert (Chester 16:10) – 1/1: Stall 2 and Fahey-Ryan combo look perfectly pitched to deliver.
- Belle Le Grand (Newton Abbot 15:50) – 9/10: Skelton dominance should play out again.
- Dream Of Ithaca (Kempton 19:00) – 150/1: Huge price, yet could sneak into the places on a track he relishes.
- Do Bronxs (Chester 15:40) – 28/1: David Egan’s booking signals quiet optimism.
For today’s full breakdown of races, don’t miss our Racecards page. And if you’re already planning ahead, swing by our Tomorrow’s Tips for early insights on Thursday’s action.
