Jarvis hopeful for Huxley pair

Michael Jarvis is fully aware of the task facing his two runners in the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Huxley Stakes at Chester tomorrow.

The Newmarket trainer saddles St Andrews, the mount of stable jockey Philip Robinson, with Neil Callan coming in for the ride on Fruhlingssturm in the Group Three contest over an extended 10 furlongs.

Their eight rivals include recent Leopardstown winner Solskjaer from Aidan O’Brien’s powerful Irish stable and last year’s St Leger fourth Maraahel, trained by Sir Michael Stoute.

“St Andrews has been in good form all year but this is a step up in class for him,” said Jarvis.

“He did get beat at odds-on at Ripon last time but it was desperately heavy ground that day.

“He does like the soft but that was too heavy. The ground should be more suitable for him tomorrow.”

Fruhlingssturm will be making his seasonal debut, having not been seen out since finishing last of 14 behind one of tomorrow’s rivals, Grand Passion, on Lingfield’s Polytrack in November.

“He seems to run better in Group company on the continent. This will be his first run of the year and he should be better for the race,” added Jarvis.

Chris Wall is hoping that Counsel’s Opinion will be up to tackling stronger opposition.

The eight-year-old was third under 9st 7lb in the City & Suburban Handicap at Epsom last time having won a conditions race, the Doncaster Shield, at Town Moor before that.

“It’s big step up in class for him, but it is getting difficult for him in handicaps,” said Wall.

“We want to see if he can be competitive at this level. There are several in there rated higher than him, but he deserves a chance.

“I think the course will suit him. He’s run well on the all-weather at Lingfield and it’s quite sharp round there.

“He’s got a low draw (2) but he’s not known as a fast starter. Hopefully, he’ll be staying on and can pick off his rivals one by one.”