Bonfire to light up Chester

Andrew Balding's exciting prospect Bonfire will reappear in the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes at Chester on May 11.

Owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, the Manduro colt won a Salisbury maiden in good style on his debut and stepped up markedly on that to finish a close third in the Group One Criterium International at Saint Cloud. He held entries at Newmarket and Newbury this week but a dirty scope has delayed his return.

A statement on www.highclere.co.uk read: "Bonfire is likely to have his first start as a three-year-old in the Dee Stakes (Group Three) at Chester on Friday 11th May."

It went on: "Bonfire has progressed well over the winter and was due to take part in the Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy this week, but has been ruled out following a cloudy scope.

"Andrew Balding is confident that the horse will be spot on for the Derby trial at Chester."