South Africans squaring up at Chester Thursday

Yes, hib. Together with a what really happened to Amelia Erhardt, Jimmy Hoffa, and Shergar.

Another Rocket Man :S

O'Brien's Rocket Man chases star status in Vase


HE trains four of the first seven horses in the Investec Derby betting, but it is with a 50-1 Epsom outsider, the hitherto unheralded Rocket Man, that Aidan O'Brien on Thursday seeks to land his third MBNA Chester Vase in the last four years.

Last season it was Golden Sword and in 2007 it was Soldier Of Fortune who bagged the Group 3 trial for Ballydoyle, but today the limelight at the Chester May meeting falls on Montjeu's son Rocket Man, a half-length winner of a Curragh maiden last month.

On this occasion, the opposition to Rocket Man will be tougher, with three of his six rivals - Chink Of Light, Morana and Ted Spread - also engaged in the premier Classic.

O'Brien said: "He did well to win his maiden on bad ground at the Curragh last month and we've been happy with him since. Hopefully, he will have come on for the run. He is stepping up in class and distance and is in good form, so we're hoping for a good run."

On recent form, Rocket Man's biggest threat could be a horse not entered in the Derby - Craven Stakes third Critical Moment, whose trainer Barry Hills said: "He's a very well-balanced colt and rana good race when third in the Craven. I've been pleased with his progress."

South Easter, successful in Chester's second Derby trial, the Dee Stakes, returns to the Roodee in Thursday's chief supporting feature, the Group 3 Betfair Huxley Stakes.

Following a truncated three-year-old campaign, South Easter made a winning return against Listed opposition at Kempton, but more is requiredwith Gordon Richards Stakes second Redwood and Arlington Million third Stotsfold also Huxley hopefuls.

South Easter's trainer William Haggas said: "I was pleased with his win at Kempton, although the race was poor and the form not strong.

"He has won at Chester and I also think he is better left-handed than right-handed. I believe he has a bit more to offer - this race should tell us how much."

Chester
R1- Almiqdaad
R4- Yaa Wayl

Goodwood
R4- Total Command

7/2 South Easter, 10/1 Kings Gambit

Favourite Kings Gambit only fifth in Sweden
Report: Sweden, Tuesday

Taby: Stockholms Stora Pris (Group 3) 1m1¾f, 4yo+

BRITAIN'S raider Kings Gambit was sent off favourite for the Stockholms Stora Pris but could finish only fifthbehind shock Norwegian-trained winner Tertullus (Rune Haugen/Espen Ski).

The seven-year-old winner, a French-bred son of Monsun, was sent off at more than 35-1 before scoring by a couple of lengths over last year's Stockholm Cup winner Touch Of Hawk.

The Tom Tate-trained Kings Gambit, winner of the 2008 South African Derby, was a well-supported 23-10 chance.

Ridden handily by Jamie Spencer, he was tapped for toe whenasked to quicken on entering the straight before staying on again and just missing the frame. Spencer reported the ground was just too fast for him.

South Easter won at Kranji lastnight for Jooste

We seen it on the tv here Bob won well.