Ballochroy can keep Hills on top

The bookmakers usually price up Barry Hills-trained runners defensively at the Chester May meeting, but that is not the case with Ballochroy (4.35), who looks decent each-way value at the 11-1 offered by William Hill.

He was found wanting for pace in the closing stages when fifth to Bronze Cannon at Newmarket 20 days ago, but that was a red-hot handicap in which he was trying to concede weight to the four that beat him.  The sixth home there, Irish Mayhem, has already boosted the form, while Ballochroy looks certain to improve for this step up in trip as his dam won over as far as three miles over hurdles.  He should give a good account.

At Beverley, Snowed Under (3.05) looks an each-way steal at 11-2 with William Hill.  A course and distance winner, he is now 1lb lower in the weights than when winning at Leicester last August and shaped most encouragingly on his reappearance at Warwick, travelling strongly but just finding an extra furlong and softer ground too much of a stamina test.  Sure to be sharper for that reappearance effort, he can take a weak race - combine him in an each-way double with Ballochroy.