Horse racing review: Friday's action at Chester

A review of the rest of Friday afternoon's meeting at Chester where Newstead Abbey won the opener.

Newstead Abbey won his first race since March 2013 with a gritty display in the Betfair Earl Grosvenor Handicap at a wet Chester.

Graham Gibbons had the David Barron-trained five-year-old just behind a decent gallop set by Rene Mathis before bringing him with a telling challenge in the straight.

Newstead Abbey (11-2) had to work fairly hard to get on top of the game Rene Mathis, but got the upper hand in the end to score by a length and three-quarters. Brazos was three-quarters of a length away in third.

Alex Gorrie, for owners Let's Be Lucky Partnership, said: "We thought he was a fast-ground horse so we ran him at Haydock after he won at Musselburgh that year and he never ran after Royal Ascot.

"He ran well last season but he was never himself. He had some time off and now he's back to his best, so we're over the moon.

"We expected him to go well today, but because he hadn't won for two years we daren't be too confident."

Gibbons said: "He broke well, travelled round nicely and picked up well in the straight."

Roudee (6-1), third over six furlongs on this course 24 hours earlier, went two places better in the Crabbie's EBF Stallions Handicap over the minimum trip - despite unshipping Hayley Turner on the way to the start and running loose.

Tom Dascombe's charge was unruffled and put the race to bed in style as he bounded clear in the final furlong to beat Rita's Boy by a length and a quarter.

Dascombe said: "He has been in electric form at home. I thought he was a good thing yesterday, but unfortunately he missed the break and never got into it, although he ran on to finish third.

"I was looking for any excuse not to run him today, but the owners are crazy about Chester and wanted to run."

Apprentice Jack Garritty is just one winner away from having his 5lb allowance reduced to 3lb after steering Instant Attraction home in the Love2Shop Handicap.

Garritty showed his skill by delivering Jedd O'Keeffe's charge from the widest draw to defeat Chosen Character by three-quarters of a length.

Vibe Queen (100-30) stepped up on her Newbury debut fourth to open her account in the LDF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The John Gosden-trained filly swept five lengths clear of River Of Babylon under Rab Havlin.

"She was a little bit green when she hit the front and pricked her ears when she heard the roar of the crowd. I wouldn't say she was in love with the ground, but she handled it," said Havlin.

Andrew Balding's Storm Force Ten (100-30 favourite) warded off all potential challengers to land the Betway Apprentice Handicap under 7lb claimer Edward Greatrex by two and a quarter lengths from Two Jabs.

"Edward gave him a great ride. It's great to have him as part of the team. He's only 16 and has got a big future ahead of him," said Balding's wife, Anna Lisa.