Doonaree, the fast-emerging star from Mark Johnston's Middleham yard, puts his reputation on the line at Chester tomorrow.

The talented three-year-old takes a big step up in class in the £60,000 Victor Chandler Chester Vase, but is fancied to prove equal to the task.

Unraced last year, Doonaree, who started his juvenile days with Mick Easterby, has quickly made his mark this season.

An easy win on his debut at Newcastle on Easter Monday was followed by a similarly effortless success at Catterick a fortnight ago.

On both occasions, it was not what Doonaree, beat that was impressive, but the stylish manner of his victories.

Johnston seldom over-races his horses without good reason, and Doonaree, despite facing a serious test in this traditional Derby trail, can come out on top. He is, however, not in the Derby, so even he emerges successful other major targets will be sought in the future. Darryll Holland takes the mount.

Captain's Log, who ran a cracking race on his reappearance at Kempton, can show the benefit of that outing by lifting the Walker Smith & Way Handicap.

Trained by the in-form Michael Bell, Captain's Log finished fourth to Carry The Flag in Kempton's competitive Rosebery Handicap four weeks ago, beaten just over two lengths by the winner.

He would not need to improve much to make this race his own with Michael Fenton in the saddle.

Kieren Fallon, winner of yesterday's Sagitta 1,000 Guineas on Wince, can continue his excellent form by landing the Stanley Leisure Showcase Handicap on Kaamen.

Ben Hanbury's charge was beaten less than two lengths into third by Mutaakkid on his reappearance at Leicester, where he did not help his chances by pulling hard for his head early on in a slowly-run race.

Up in distance tomorrow, and switched to handicap company, he has a strong chance, despite top weight, provided he consents to settle better than he did at Leicester.

The Prince of Wales Handicap over five furlongs will be fast and furious around this saucer-like circuit, and Bevelena has a second-to-none chance of obliging under John Egan.

Egan, and Bevelena's trainer David Evans, took last year's race with Classy Cleo, and they have excellent prospects of completing an encore tomorrow.

Bevelena followed up a good first effort at Windsor by running out a convincing winner at Catterick recently. She has more on her plate here, but is napped to follow-up.

The opening Joseph Heler Cheshire Cheese Lily Anges Stakes - the first of four races to be televised live on Channel 4 - looks set to fall to Barringer, the most experienced runner in the field.

Mick Channon's precocious juvenile has already run four times, winning twice and finishing second twice. His superior racing knowledge will be worth lengths around this unique circuit. Richard Quinn has the mount.

Tomorrow's Tips

CHESTER

2.10.............................Barringer

2.40................................Kaamen

3.10.............................Doonaree

3.40......................Captain's Log

4.10............................Storm Hill

4.40...................Bevelena (Nap)

BRIGHTON

2.20........................Smart Ridge

2.50............................Foxes Tail

3.20.................Myttons Mistake

3.50............................Retaliator

4.20........................Milady Lillie

4.50..................Imperial Prince

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.