CANNOCK CHASE, winner of all his three races last season, can get his 2015 campaign up and running at Chester this afternoon.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, the talented four-year-old looked in need of the outing when third to Western Hymn on his re-appearance in last month’s Sir Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown.

He should strip fitter this afternoon and is fancied to come good in the Betfair Huxley Stakes.

Ryan Moore has the mount.

Moore can also hit the target in the MBNA Chester Vase aboard Hans Holbein, trained by Aidan O’Brien.

The lightly-raced colt scored in decisive fashion at Leopardstown recently when he also proved his ability to handle soft ground.

He looks open to plenty of further improvement and he can follow in the hoof-prints of Orchestra, who won this Group 3 race last year for O’Brien and Moore.

Moore can strike yet again on the Stoute-trained Pleiades in the Boodles Diamond Handicap.

He was not at his best on his re-appearance at Beverley last month, but he had looked pro gressive as a juvenile last year and is worth a second chance with that race under his belt.

Richard Fahey and owner Dr Marwan Koukash can clinch the opening IG Handicap with Gabrial’s Kaka.

Fully effective on easy ground, the Malton gelding was inconvenienced by the draw in the Lincoln Handicap on his seasonal debut, but he performed more encouragingly when sixth at Haydock on his latest start.

He steps up in trip today and is selected to shine under Jamie Spencer, who won last year’s Newbury Spring Cup on him.

Fahey and Koukash also join forces with Modernism in the concluding Investec Asset Finance Handcap.

Yet another winning chance on the card for Ryan Moore, the gelding makes his seasonal reappearance and will be having his first run for Fahey. But the six-year-old is expected to go well off bottom weight.

Young John, also trained by Fahey, is entitled to go close in the T&L Leasing Maiden Stakes.

The two-year-old found only Burstino too good at Chelmsford on the first day of the season.

The experience of that initial outing will stand him in good stead on this tight circuit.

Norton trainer Brian Ellison could have a strong say in the outcome of the Betway Handicap with Northgate Lad.

Graham Lee’s mount was narrowly beaten by Among Angels on his first run of the campaign at Thirsk.

He has had only three outings in his career and was a winner on heavy ground at Beverley last season. There is more to come from this speedy type.

Prince Of Pirates is worth a second look in the Apollobet Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, which opens Carlisle’s evening jumps fixture.

Middleham trainer Ben Haslam, who handles the ten-year-old for top owner JP McManus, has booked leading conditional Nico De Boinville, rider of last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree, to partner the gelding. It looks a significant booking.

Wolf Sword makes plenty of appeal in the Apollobet Novices’ Hurdle.

Trained by George Moore, this bumper winner finished second three times on the bounce over timber last season. Opportunity may well come knocking for him this evening. Henry Brooke has the mount.

Also worth noting in Cumbria are Plan Again (6.10), trained by Donald McCain, who rarely leaves this course empty-handed, and Snowed In (7.40), who goes well over this course and distance.

Chester today: 2.10 Gabrial’s Kaka, 2.40 Cannock Chase, 3.10 Hans Holbein, 3.45 Pleiades, 4.20 Young John, 4.55 Northgate Lad, 5.25 Modernism (NAP).

Carlisle today: 5.40 Prince Of Pirates, 6.10 Plan Again, 6.40 Wolf Sword, 7.10 Indian Voyage, 7.40 Snowed In, 8.10 Narcissist, 8.40 Beyond Measure.

Today’s other meetings: Newton Abbot, Wincanton and Worcester.