TOM READY FOR BIG TIME
TOM Dascombe is lining up another major attack on the Chester May Festival, which starts tomorrow.
The trainer has a team of 18 horses primed to run over the three days.
But the horse who he thought was his banker of the week has been handed a nightmare draw in the Lily Agnes Stakes, which kicks off the meeting.
Dascombe, who trains at former England footballer Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire, has had the race in mind since December for Big Time Maybe.
He has been drawn in stall 10 of 11 with a wide draw at the tight turning “Roodee” track a huge disadvantage.
He said: “I’m gutted with his draw. The Lily Agnes has been the plan for a long time.
“He is so mentally sharp and mentally forward and ran really well on his debut.”
Dascombe said recent Redcar winner Teodoro has a chance tomorrow while he could run as many as five in the juvenile maiden on Thursday to satisfy his growing band of local owners.
Dascombe thinks Full Intention and Arc Royal are “dangerously well handicapped” in their respective handicaps on Thursday.
The former was fourth at Royal Ascot but has tumbled down the ratings.
On Friday Cheerfilly, who has “improved dramatically”, has a “serious chance” in the three-year-old maiden while Hillbilly Boy will attempt his fourth victory at the track.
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Dascombe was top trainer at last year’s meeting when he landed a last-day treble.
“We would like a bit of rain for most of our horses. But this meeting is important for the owners and for Michael. It has been quite a lucky course for us.”
Owen said the yard was bursting at the seams with horses and he has plans to build more boxes.