Sunday Betting Tips at Chester 02/08/26

Sunday Betting Tips at Chester 02/08/26

2:10pm 1m4½f Radnor Hills Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-85)

Level Look shaped better than the bare result on his handicap and turf debut at Newmarket and now heads to Chester, where the tight turns and shorter straight should play more to his strengths. Returning from a 189 day break, he travelled kindly enough over 1m4f before fading late, understandable given the layoff and the fact he was a touch keen early. He still ran to form behind Counter Intuitive, and that run should have sharpened him up. He progressed nicely last year, leaving his first two runs behind to win a Newcastle novice over 1m2f, showing a neat turn of foot and a professional attitude. That performance suggested he’d stay further, and his pedigree backs that up. He’s effective at 10 to 12f, acts on good to firm and the all weather, and his yard’s runners are always respected around Chester, where positioning and rhythm matter.

Dropping back to 1m2f around the Roodee should help him settle better, and his lightly raced profile suggests there’s more improvement to come. With a kinder trip and sharper fitness, he’s entitled to take a step forward. Patagonia Girl remains a danger after her comfortable C&D win, but Level Look has the scope to get back on track, and Chester looks the right place for him to do it.

Selection: Level Look 4/1 with BetMGM

2:45pm 6f British Stallion Studs EBF "Confined" Maiden Stakes (Three Runs Or Less) (GBB/IRE Incentive Race) (Class 4) (2yo)

Pure Grit has shown plenty of promise on both starts to date and now looks ready to get off the mark. He made a strong debut at Newbury in May, finishing second over 6f on good ground, travelling smoothly and only finding one too good late on. That effort marked him out as a colt with natural pace and professionalism. Two weeks later he returned over this C&D, again finishing second, beaten just 1¼ lengths by Virtuous Star, confirming the debut level and showing he handles the track well. He’s been given nine weeks off since, a break that looks intentional rather than concerning, allowing him to strengthen and sharpen up ahead of this assignment. His pedigree backs up the promise, a son of Pinatubo and half brother to American Sonja, a Group 3 winner who stayed from 6f to 1m2f. Pure Grit has the same blend of speed and scope, and his Mill Reef entry suggests connections think he’s well above average.He’s effective at 6f, acts on good ground, and his experience of the track is a big plus. With two solid seconds already in the book, he sets a clear standard and still has more to offer. Shakwaa should improve plenty from his Newbury debut, while Sovereigns High brings the next best form. But Pure Grit has done little wrong, has the strongest profile, and looks ready to oblige at the third attempt.

Selection: Pure Grit 1/2 with BetMGM

3:20pm 6f Queensferry Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo)

Calico Blue is developing into a seriously progressive sprinter and returns to Chester looking tailor made for this Listed test. He’s a perfect 3 from 3 over C&D, and everything about the Roodee, the tight turns, the short straight, the emphasis on balance and early positioning, plays right into his strengths. He arrives here in top form, having chased home Jazl at Newmarket last month before returning to Chester eight days ago and bolting up, travelling strongly and putting the race to bed with a decisive 1½ length success.

That latest win was the clearest sign yet that he’s still improving. Back at his favourite track, he was strong at the finish, handled the good ground beautifully, and looked well ahead of his mark. He’s effective at 5f and 6f, acts on sound surfaces, and clearly thrives around Chester’s unique layout. Even though he’s up in grade here, he’s earned his place, and his course craft could easily make the difference again.

The race revolves around Lifeplan, last seen winning the Gimcrack, but a long absence and a wide draw make him vulnerable first time back. Jazl has done little wrong this season and should run well again, but Calico Blue’s ability to handle Chester’s demands gives him a strong chance of reversing that Newmarket form despite being 2lb worse off. Others like Jm Jungle and American Affair have the talent to get involved, but Calico Blue’s blend of speed, balance, and proven track affinity makes him the one they all have to beat.Unbeaten at Chester, improving with every run, and perfectly suited to this flying 6f, he looks set to go very close once again.

Selection: Calico Blue 5/2 with BetMGM

3:52pm 7f Disney's High School Musical At Lowry Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-100)

Dance In The Storm has shaped like a well‑handicapped filly all season and now returns to Chester, where her sharp turn of foot is a major asset. She produced that burst to win a C&D handicap in May, defying a wide draw and quickening smartly off the final bend, a performance that marked her out as one firmly on the up. Her two runs since can both be upgraded. At Epsom she looked stretched by the trip on rain softened ground, never travelling with the same fluency, and at Royal Ascot she again had a tough draw but still did best of her group, finishing 17th overall but shaping far better than the bare result. She’s now 1lb lower, returns to a track that suits ideally, and her trainer is in excellent form.

She’s effective at 7f, acts on good to soft and good to firm, and her ability to travel strongly before quickening is tailor made for Chester’s short straight. The widest stall isn’t ideal, she’s drawn there again but she’s already shown she can overcome it, and her mark still looks within reach. Power Fizz is another who appeals as ahead of his mark, while the sole 3yo Monarch’s Gold is a big player. Course specialist Roman Dragon also has to be respected. But Dance In The Storm has the strongest blend of recent promise, track suitability, and finishing speed. If she gets any sort of rhythm from the outside stall, she can record a second C&D win, and she looks the one to side with.

Selection: Dance In The Storm 15/8 with BetMGM

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