It's Chester Cup day on Channel 4 and Sam Turner guides you through the TV action.
2.10 Chester
The in-form Tom Dascombe has bagged this race twice in the last six renewals with Julius Geezer and Quatuor so FIERY CHARACTER (Best price 11-8) should make a bold bid to make all like he did on debut at Newmarket when surprising at 33-1.
That race has thrown up one or two winners since and there should be further progression to come from a horse drawn nicely for a front runner. Copper Knight hung his chance away at Windsor (Awesome Allan 3rd and awkwardly drawn today) but that shouldn’t be an issue here given the contours of the track, while Letmestopyouthere ducked left at Nottingham but bolted up once straightened up and should be on the scene.
That race has thrown up one or two winners since and there should be further progression to come from a horse drawn nicely for a front runner. Copper Knight hung his chance away at Windsor (Awesome Allan 3rd and awkwardly drawn today) but that shouldn’t be an issue here given the contours of the track, while Letmestopyouthere ducked left at Nottingham but bolted up once straightened up and should be on the scene.
Fiery Character - 2pts @ 11/8
2.40 Chester
Aidan O’Brien enjoyed a magnificent Sunday at Newmarket with his fillies and SOMEHOW (Best price 8/11) looks the obvious play in the Cheshire Oaks. The selection made short work of a subsequent winner at Leopardstown and she should take some beating for a yard who have their fillies in scintillating form at present. The selection moved sweetly throughout her comeback start and didn’t have to fully exert herself to score tidily.
John Gosden seems happy to waste a fair handicap mark for Pursuitofthestars, a tactic which has paid dividends in the past. She made all to score at Chelmsford in style and could be the one with the target on her back late on.
John Gosden seems happy to waste a fair handicap mark for Pursuitofthestars, a tactic which has paid dividends in the past. She made all to score at Chelmsford in style and could be the one with the target on her back late on.
Somehow - 2pts @ 8/11
3.10 Chester
With the exception of one or two Irish runners, today’s Betway Chester Cup could easily pass for a prestigious all-weather handicap with multiple Polytrack winner Steve Rogers topping the market ahead of prolific sand campaigner Gang Warfare. Throw in the likes of Gabrial The Hero and JOHN REEL (Best price 16-1) and the valuable feature might be staged at Wolverhampton or Lingfield instead of on the Roodee.
Steve Rogers, a course winner over two miles, has been handed an attractive draw and deserves his pitch at the head of the market given his profile and manner of his comeback win on a synthetic surface at Kempton. He is a difficult horse to knock given he evidently likes a tight track, stays well, is nicely berthed and appears to be one of few runners in the race capable of leaving his handicap mark behind. The trouble is, the layers know it too and the value was eroded from his price once the draw was made.
Instead, an each-way wager on John Reel at around four times the price could prove fruitful given he was only beaten five lengths by subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris in the race 12 months ago. David Evans’ charge was poorly drawn that day in stall 15 with rider Adam Kirby forced to use up a lot of his mount’s energy to gain a decent pitch from that wide berth. It was to his credit the selection was only headed a furlong from home and Kirby should be able to ride more of a patient race from stall five today.
Although now rated 104, GANG WARFARE (Best price 12-1) is worth a chance to display that he is far from a one-trick pony and a prestigious turf handicap is within his capabilities. The Northumberland Plate on Newcastle’s new Polytrack course looks tailor-made for him but he can make a mark on this event first.
Steve Rogers, a course winner over two miles, has been handed an attractive draw and deserves his pitch at the head of the market given his profile and manner of his comeback win on a synthetic surface at Kempton. He is a difficult horse to knock given he evidently likes a tight track, stays well, is nicely berthed and appears to be one of few runners in the race capable of leaving his handicap mark behind. The trouble is, the layers know it too and the value was eroded from his price once the draw was made.
Instead, an each-way wager on John Reel at around four times the price could prove fruitful given he was only beaten five lengths by subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris in the race 12 months ago. David Evans’ charge was poorly drawn that day in stall 15 with rider Adam Kirby forced to use up a lot of his mount’s energy to gain a decent pitch from that wide berth. It was to his credit the selection was only headed a furlong from home and Kirby should be able to ride more of a patient race from stall five today.
Although now rated 104, GANG WARFARE (Best price 12-1) is worth a chance to display that he is far from a one-trick pony and a prestigious turf handicap is within his capabilities. The Northumberland Plate on Newcastle’s new Polytrack course looks tailor-made for him but he can make a mark on this event first.
John Reel - 0.5pts e/w @ 16/1
Gang Warfare - 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1
3.45 Chester
Roudee will be popular given his name and draw but he was slowly away and a little laboured at Epsom so maybe worth taking on with
Although now rated 104, MUKAYNIS (Best price 7-1). The selection has a good record with Shane Gray on board (1814172312) and his two wins over the minimum trip have both come at Wolverhampton which is also a tight, left-handed track. He was slowly away before making the ground up quickly at Kempton and there was no disgrace in a narrow defeat at the hands of Dougan who was a fine third in a hot Newmarket handicap on Sunday. Growl, whose yard won this last year, and Kimberella, who showed bright speed when racing alone at Ripon in the race won by Avon Breeze (Growl 4th), are others to consider.
Although now rated 104, MUKAYNIS (Best price 7-1). The selection has a good record with Shane Gray on board (1814172312) and his two wins over the minimum trip have both come at Wolverhampton which is also a tight, left-handed track. He was slowly away before making the ground up quickly at Kempton and there was no disgrace in a narrow defeat at the hands of Dougan who was a fine third in a hot Newmarket handicap on Sunday. Growl, whose yard won this last year, and Kimberella, who showed bright speed when racing alone at Ripon in the race won by Avon Breeze (Growl 4th), are others to consider.
Mukaynis - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1
