Dr Sharp can provide the solution to a tricky-looking Chester Cup tomorrow as he bids to provide North Yorkshire trainer Thomas Tate with his biggest Flat success.

Tate, who is based at Hazelwood near Tadcaster, has had this £120,000 race, sponsored by totesport, in mind for Dr Sharp since he won at Doncaster at the end of March.

A tough, progressive stayer, who relishes an ease in the ground, Dr Sharp will have conditions in his favour tomorrow. He has also gained the number-one draw. On the sharpest course in Britain this berth nearest the inside rail is a sizeable advantage even in a two and a quarter mile race, because the runners are on the turn most of the time.

Dr Sharp, who likes to race up with the pace, need have no fears of the saucer-like circuit as he won on the course last season. Eddie Ahern takes the mount tomorrow and can surely look forward to a fine ride from this useful handicapper.

David Nicholls has his horses in fine form and the Sessay trainer, who sent out Gift Horse to gain an 18-1 success in the last race at Doncaster yesterday, can land the opening honours at Chester with Strike Up The Band in the Joseph Heler Lily Agnes Stakes.

A well-related colt, Strike Up The Band made a sensational debut at Pontefract last week, running out an impressive winner and being hailed by Nicholls as "the best two-year-old I've ever trained and a horse with a big future."

It would be foolish to ignore that appraisal and Strike Up The Band, despite having much more on his plate tomorrow, is awarded my Nap vote.

Malton jockey Paul Hanagan rode the winners of the last three races at Newcastle yesterday. Two of them were for Malton trainer Richard Fahey - Bramantino (8-1) and Passionately Royal (8-1). His other win was on Ed Dunlop's Namathej (9-4).

Wednesday's tips:

Chester

1.30 Strike Up The Band (Nap), 2.00 Faint Heart, 2.30 Dr Sharp, 3.00 Day To Remember, 3.35 Red Racketeer, 4.10 River Kintyre.

Chepstow

2.10 Penang Sapphire, 2.40 Burhaan, 3.10 Nimello, 3.45 Golden Dynasty, 4.20 Band, 4.50 Out For A Stroll.

Tomorrow's other meeting is at Fakenham.

Updated: 10:29 Tuesday, May 03, 2005