Two and a half circuits around the tight Roodee circuit forms the thrilling spectacle that is the totesport Chester Cup tomorrow, and Anak Pekan, trained by the in-form Michael Jarvis, is my fancy to win the bumper prize.

This historic race, run over two and a quarter miles, and with £120,000 prize money, has attracted 18 runners, so getting a clear passage will be paramount.

Wily tactician Philip Robinson has the mount of Anak Pekan, who is likely to be ridden close to the pace.

The four-year-old made all the running at Kempton last month when a decisive five-lengths winner of the Queen's Prize Handicap.

Raised 10lb for that success, Anak Pekan faces a tougher task tomorrow, but he is a progressive stayer and I think will have the measure of Big Moment, an unlucky loser in this race last year, and Rayshan, who is fit from hurdling.

The three-day Chester meeting starts with the Joseph Heler Cheshire Cheese Lily Agnes Stakes, which is the target for Tara Tara, trained near Malton by John Quinn.

A speedy and precocious juvenile, Tara Tara produced a fine performance to gain a debut victory at Newcastle, where she was boxed-in behind other horses until bursting through in the final 75 yards to gain a remarkable success.

Quite how far she would have won with a clear run is anyone's guess, but we'll find out much more about her burgeoning talent in this strongly-contested event.

Another win could see Tara Tara bound for next month's Royal Ascot meeting and a tilt at the Queen Mary Stakes. Robert Winston again has the mount.

Foursquare is napped to take the honours in the David M. Robinson Diamond Design Handicap over five furlongs.

John Mackie's speedster gained an impressive success at Haydock last month on his seasonal debut, when looking as though the outing would do him nothing but good.

He has more on his plate here, but this progressive sprinter is fancied to remain one step ahead of the handicapper.

In the Letheby & Christopher Cheshire Oaks, my vote goes to Proud Tradition, the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Winner of her only race last seaso and highly regarded in the John Gosden stable, Proud Tradition is fancied to pick up where she left off.

Richard Fahey, who was forced to close down his Malton yard for almost a month after an outbreak of a herpes virus among his horses, resumes operations with Bo McGinty in the Tess Graham Memorial Handicap.

A promising sprinter, who won at Carlisle last season, Bo McGinty is capable of running a good race, but, without a previous outing this term, he is passed over on this occasion in favour of recent winner Presto Shinko.

Wednesday's tips:

Chester

1.55 Tara Tara, 2.25 Proud Tradition, 2.55 Anak Pekan, 3.30 Presto Shinko, 4.05 Catwalk Cleric, 4.40 Foursquare (Nap), 5.15 Alpaga Le Jomage.

Kelso

2.15 Bay Kenny, 2.45 Gone Too Far, 3.20 Steppes Of Gold, 3.55 Benrajah, 4.30 Fairy Skin Maker, 5.05 Master Wood.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Chepstow, Fakenham and Wolverhampton.

Updated: 12:57 Tuesday, May 04, 2004