Andrew Balding's Investec Derby fancy Bonfire will put his Classic credentials on the line in the Stobart Barristers Dee Stakes at Chester on Friday.

Kris Kin was the last horse to take the trial on the way to Epsom glory in 2003 and a small but select field of six has been declared.

Bonfire's claims rest on a close third in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in October as the winner, French Fifteen, franked the form in the Guineas.

The Marco Botti-trained Kingsdesire is defending an unbeaten record in the Group Three. Victorious in a Kempton maiden in December, he won a Doncaster handicap at the Lincoln meeting in good style.

Aidan O'Brien likes runners at Chester, and sends over Astrology, who brings Group form to the table. He was third in the Futurity Stakes on just his second start and then filled the same spot in the Autumn Stakes.

Oxford Charley was fourth behind Stipulate in the Feilden Stakes on his reappearance, while Gerard Butler's Prince Alzain was runner-up in a Listed race on the all-weather last time out.

The field is completed by Sir Michael Stoute's maiden Uriah Heep, who is owned by Sir Robert Ogden, Michael Tabor, John Magnier and Derrick Smith.



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