The Chester Cup is invariably one of the top 10 races in May in terms of betting turnover, which is quite impressive given that it is staged midweek and up against Classics, Derby trials and high-profile weekends at Newbury, Haydock and Ascot. But a renewal like today’s helps to explain its enduring appeal, and the pleasure to be gained by solving a puzzle like this one is (almost) as satisfying as the financial return that comes with it.
There are no real mysteries in today’s 17-strong field: Blakeney Point, with a dozen starts behind him, is the closest thing to a dark horse in the line-up. The element of randomness essential to make it a strong betting event comes instead from the course and the draw, and the fluctuating fortunes as these battle-hardened handicappers all try to find the most effective route around two full circuits of the tightest Flat track in the country.
Four runners were vying for favouritism overnight, but Who Dares Wins (3.35) has emerged as the market leader on Wednesday morning and could prove to be the one with the ideal blend of speed, stamina and a single-figure draw to come out on top. Alan King is more familiar as a leading jumps trainer, but National Hunt yards have won four of the last seven runnings of the Chester Cup and Who Dares Wins was in excellent form when last seen at Cheltenham in March, where he finished third in the Coral Cup. That was his first full race beyond two miles over hurdles, and he had enough speed to join the leaders with three flights to jump before staying on strongly to finish less than five lengths behind the winner. He raced off 146 at Cheltenham which suggests that a mark of 92 could be very fair this afternoon, and Tom Marquand should be able to take a good early position from stall seven.
The Lily Agnes Stakes is, as ever, the traditional first race of the May Festival and Big Time Maybe, one of several horses representing Michael Owen at this week’s meeting, has been attracting support this morning. He is stuck out in stall 10, however, and on the bare form of his debut, Big Time Maybe has a little to find against the principals. Requinto Dawn, the Brocklesby winner, has run two very solid races to date, but Emilia James (1.50) showed plenty of speed last time and could make the most of her 5lb allowance.
El Astronaute (3.00) has an ideal draw against the rail in the sprint handicap and is also better off with Majestic Dawn – a winner since – having beaten him by a short head at the Craven meeting in April. Enable (2.25) is the narrow pick at the prices is an excellent Cheshire Oaks, while That Is The Spirit (7.25) and Celestation (8.05) look best on the evening cards at Chelmsford City and Bath, respectively.
Wednesday’s tips
Chester: 1.50 Emilia James, 2.25 Enable, 3.00 El Astronaute, 3.35 Who Dares Wins (nap), 4.05 Stradivarius, 4.35 Mutarabby, 5.05 Gin In The Inn
Kelso: 2.15 Nelly La Rue, 2.45 Ifandbutwhynot, 3.20 Pikarnia, 3.55 Sgt Bull Berry, 4.25 Sudski Star, 4.55 Flash Garden, 5.25 Golden Jeffrey
Newton Abbot: 2.05 Brillare Momento, 2.35 Master Jake, 3.10 Talent To Amuse, 3.45 Virgilio, 4.15 Ruler Of The Nile, 4.45 Capitaine, 5.15 Phantom Prince
Bath: 5.35 Fabric, 6.05 Captain Ryan, 6.35 Golden Easter, 7.05 Almanack, 7.35 Saint Helena, 8.05 Celestation, 8.35 Classic Pursuit
Chelmsford City: 5.55 Utopian Dream, 6.25 Normal Equilibrium, 6.55 Cheval Blanche, 7.25 That Is The Spirit (nb), 7.55 St Michel, 8.25 Zumurudee, 8.55 Grieg Hall
(all times BST)
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