Chester Huxley Stakes – Charlie Appleby is hoping Folkswood can land his first Group race win at Chester
Folkswood has been kept busy this year out in Dubai and he was only narrowly defeated in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket on his last start
CHARLIE APPLEBY is hoping Folkswood can land his first Group prize in the Huxley Stakes at Chester on Thursday.
The Godolphin-owned four-year-old has been busy out in Dubai already this season and was last seen finishing second in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket last month.
Appleby said: "We've been very happy with him since the Earl of Sefton and we're looking forward to it.
"I think the track will suit him. He showed in Meydan he can be very effective on the turn when he gets on the rail and although it's only a small field, it's nice he's got a good draw in stall two.
"It's a trappy little race, but he's in good order and hopefully he'll run very well."
Folkswood features in a field of six runners.
Tim Easterby's Snoano is a big outsider, but just 3lb separates the other five participants on official ratings.
Sir Michael Stoute has landed this Group 3 prize a record six times and has another major contender in Poet's Word, who made a smart start to his campaign in a valuable handicap at Chelmsford last month.
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Bruce Raymond, racing manager for owner Saeed Suhail, said: "He's working nicely and we feel he will improve for his run at Chelmsford, where he won quite tidily.
"Everyone has been very happy with him since then and I think he's a typical Sir Michael Stoute improving four-year-old.
"It does look a tough race, so he'll have to be useful if he's going to win it."
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore team up with the classy Deauville. He won a Grade 1 in America last summer and can be expected to strip fitter for his recent comeback run in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, when he finished second to Ulysses.
Richard Fahey's Gabrial and the John Gosden-trained Royal Artillery complete the line-up.