Katie Midwinter's Friday tips: 40-1 chance among five picks

Four-year-old colt Great David is rated 26lb higher than his last win on his return to handicap company. Whilst he faces a stiffer task at the weights, he has been running well at Stakes level since then, finishing third to Mount Kilimanjaro over this course-and-distance in the Dee Stakes last year, as well as achieving a creditable fifth in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

The James Tate-trained contender won on reappearance last year, proving he goes well fresh, and he remains capable of showing further improvement, still on an upward trajectory and yet to be fully exposed in his tenth start. At the early 14-1, the son of Ribchester is a horse to note under James Doyle, holding an each-way chance.

Talented colt Bay City Roller was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile, landing a hat-trick in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster during his debut campaign. He was able to add only one win to his record as a three-year-old last term, claiming Group One honours in Munich when beating Tiffany by seven-lengths, in a race which also featured recent Group Three winner Convergent.

Last term, the George Scott-trained runner placed three times at Group Two level and also chased home Opera Ballo on reappearance at Sandown, the form of which has been significantly franked by the hugely exciting winner. There's substance to his form and the yard is going well currently, including with horses making their seasonal reappearances, which bodes well for Bay City Roller's chances.

Bidding to make it third time lucky in the Chester Cup, Spirit Mixer could be a horse to keep onside having won four times at the course previously and with a recent run in his favour. He was an eyecatcher in third to Align The Stars at Kempton on his return to action, with Blindedbythelights in second, staying on well late on to place on that occasion.

Whilst he's higher in the weights than in previous appearances in this race, he's only 3lb higher than his last win here and is a solid performer on his day. Things didn’t pan out favourably for him in last year's renewal, but he’s capable of better and could put in a bold bid under Rob Hornby, holding each-way claims at the early 14-1.

Zanndabad is an interesting contender under Clifford Lee, making his return to the Flat having featured in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree when last seen. He finished third to Zoffee in the race two years ago, rallying late on to power home, emerging from the race as an eyecatcher in defeat.

Now 1lb lower rated, the seven-year-old holds solid each-way claims at the weights and has put in multiple good efforts since, including when fourth to Asgard's Captain in a competitive York handicap at the Ebor Festival last summer.

One to note at the early 16-1 available, the son of Iffraaj could gain Chester redemption and, with proven stamina as well as course form in his favour, he stands out as one of the most noteworthy runners.

Who's Glen has been plying his trade over hurdles recently, appearing five times over obstacles for Donald McCain since December. Previously residing at the Andrew Balding yard, the son of Gleneagles showed promise as a staying prospect and finished third in last year's Chester Cup from a 7lb higher mark of 93. 

He was unable to make an impression in subsequent runs on the Flat last year, but has returned to some form over hurdles recently and could be well treated back in this discipline in familiar surroundings.

The course winner is on a workable mark if returning to the best of his ability and makes each-way appeal at odds of 40-1.