Chester Cup

Today sees the latest running of one of the oldest and most popular races in the British Calendar- theChester Cup, a handicap over 2 1/4 miles at 15.45 CET. There has been racing at the historic Roodee track inside Chester´s Roman walls since the 16th century and this race has a long and distinguished history since first being staged in 1824. It is the main event of a 3 day meeting which also includes several important classic trials.

Today´s running sees 17 runners line up and is so open that leading bookmakers Ladbrokes currently quote six horses as joint-favourites at 9-1! Chster is a very tight track, and the field passes the stands three times. It is therefore a huge advantage to have previous experience of the course and also an inside draw. For this reason we discard horses drawn 12 or above -including top-weight Tastahil, whose trainer Barry Hills and jockey, son Richard, won this last year, as well as long-time ante-post favourite Bernie the Bolt (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), and also Ajaan (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally, drawn 13), runner-up in 2009.

The third and fourth from last year also run again- Halla San (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Desert Sea (David Arbuthnot/ Martin Dwyer), and they are definitely on the short list, as well as bottom-weight Som Tala (Mick Channon/ Luke Morris), who was well beaten but ran second here in 2008. Irish challenger Majestic Concorde (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) must also be considered, as well as Swingkeel (John Dunlop/ Jimmy Fortune), while Red Cadeaux´ latest form reads well, but the Ed Dunlop/ Kieren Fallon candidate is moving up in trip.We also like Mamlook (David Pipe/ Richard Hughes), better known as a hurdler, but also a smart staying handicapper on the flat; on his only flat start last year he finished runner-up in the Cesarewitch.

This is as always a very tricky race in which luck in running is bound to play a major role; however our two against the field are Halla San and Mamlook, whose stables are in great form.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bathwick Bear - Dingle View - Primo Lady
2. Race: Gertrude Bell - Myplacelater - Champagnelifestyle
3. Race: Bernie The Bolt - Halla San - Mamlook
4. Race: Look Busy - Buachaill Dona - Fol Hollow
5. Race: Alrasm - Maxim Gorky - Averroes
6. Race: Longliner - Youm Jamil - Pekan Three