Our Jonathan, one of the top sprinting juveniles of last season, bids to resurrect his career at Chester tomorrow.

Trained by Kevin Ryan at Hambleton, the North Yorkshire speedster returns to action in the £37,000 Queensferry Stakes with Neil Callan in the saddle.

Our Jonathan, who failed to make the frame on his only previous outing this season at Ascot in April, had gone from strength to strength last term, winning the Cornwallis Stakes at Ascot and a Group 2 race in France on his final two starts.

If he can return to anything like that level of form, Our Jonathan should be more than capable of lifting tomorrow’s Listed prize, in which Ryan also saddles recent winner Masamah and the battle-hardened Wi Dud.

Paul Hanagan and Ryan Moore, two of the three main players in the race for the jockeys’ championship – Richard Hughes is the other – have good prospects of figuring among the winners at Chester.

Hanagan teams up with his Malton boss Richard Fahey aboard Brae Hill and Layla’s Dancer and both horses have bright chances.

Brae Hill, far from disgraced when finishing fifth at Newmarket last time out on ground too lively for him, was a winner on this course in May.

He is now set to race off a mark only one pound higher and, despite being set to carry top weight, is expected to be involved in the finish.

Layla’s Dancer is an interesting runner in the M&S Money 25th Anniversary Handicap.

A good third at Ayr last time out, on his first run after a break, Layla’s Dancer should relish tomorrow’s step up to a mile and a half for the first time.

Any additional rain will help his chances further and he is awarded the nap vote.

Moore can take the opening honours aboard Profondo Rosso in the M&S Money Maiden Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute’s juvenile shaped well on his debut at Newbury to finish fourth and looks capable of stepping up with that race under his belt.

The consistent Mother Jones (2.55) and Lord Raglan (4.40), who looked as though he was returning to top form when chasing home Don’t Call Me at Ayr last time out, are two others to consider on a competitive card on the Roodee.

At Newbury, the £37,000 EBF Chalice Stakes takes pride of place and Shimmering Surf gets my vote in a tight-looking contest.

Peter Winkworth’s filly finished third to Eleonora Duse in a similar Listed race here on her latest start.

Tomorrow’s extra two furlongs may bring about further improvement in her.

Malice Or Mischief, who ran well in defeat despite being hampered in maiden company at Warwick on her latest start, makes her handicap debut in the Grundon Recycle Nursery.

She does not look badly rated off a mark of 76 and should make a bold bid under Jim Crowley.

Windsor winner Desert Poppy (5.00) and the consistent Centime (5.00) are two others to note at the Berkshire course.


Racing selections

Chester
2.25 Profondo Rosso, 2.55 Mother Jones, 3.30 Our Jonathan, 4.05 Brae Hill, 4.40 Lord Raglan, 5.10 Layla’s Dancer (NAP).

Newbury
2.10 Gallego, 2.45 Dashing Doc, 3.20 Cai Shen, 3.50 Malice Or Mischief, 4.30 Shimmering Surf, 5.00 Desert Poppy, 5.30 Centime.

Tomorrow’s other meeting:
Market Rasen.

Today’s meetings:
Doncaster, Goodwood, Hamilton, Lingfield, Newmarket and Thirsk.