Treasure Beach can show up likely Derby rival in Chester Vase

Early Derby pointers can be gained at Chester today with two of the horses set to run in the Classic going head-to-head in the Chester Vase.

Nathaniel and Treasure Beach are both entered for Epsom and there is a strong chance that they will be fighting out the Chester Vase between them.

What is noticeable about both of their early careers is that they have defeats by Frankel on their records, although Nathaniel finished far closer to the recent 2000 Guineas winner.

However, this half-length defeat may be a bit flattering to Nathaniel given that both he and Frankel were making their debuts in the Newmarket showdown.

Frankel was far more experienced when he met Treasure Beach in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot in September and Aidan O’Brien’s horse was not disgraced when finishing 11 lengths back in third.

Meanwhile, this result is also enhanced by the fact that the second in this race Klammer has gone on to win since, while the fifth Slim Shadey ran a blinder in the 2000 Guineas to finish fourth.

Nathaniel is the 13/8 favourite in the Chester Vase odds and should improve for the step up in trip to the Derby distance 1m4f.

But Treasure Beach has more racecourse experience and arguably puts forward the better career form to date, which gives him the slight edge at 3/1 and he certainly represents the value.

The third horse that has to be given a chance in the five-runner contest is Slumber, who arrives at Chester having won the Derby Trial at Epsom last month.

Slumber is 2/1 in the Chester Vase betting and repeat of his Epsom run will surely see him go close.

A £30 stake on Nathaniel winning the Derby next month would return £600. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.