Who knows best in Chester Cup
WHO DARES WINS can make a rousing return to Flat racing by winning the 188Bet Chester Cup.
Alan King’s stayer has been kept busy over hurdles during the winter, and even ended up finishing third in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.
But connections now go chasing the big bucks in the flagship race of the May meeting on the Roodee - and it looks a ploy that could have been executed to perfection.
Who Dares Wins should be pretty fit from the jumps and races at Chester off a nice weight.
He also has the assistance of Tom Marquand, who rarely lets anyone down.
The son of Jeremy was shrewdly campaigned by King last season, so much so that he only had three outings on the level - the most compelling of which came at this track in July.
Sent off a 6-1 chance for a strong handicap over a mile and a half, the five-year-old gelding had the time of his life on the Roodee, skilfully handling the track’s capricious streak to account for Against The Odds by five lengths.
There is a strong suspicion this has been the plan ever since that day last July, while the prospect of fast ground will hold terrors as he has twice won when the going has been good to firm.
Nicely drawn in stall seven, a big run is expected.
It seems folly to even contemplate opposing Aidan O’Brien at the moment, such was his overwhelming domination on Guineas weekend at Newmarket.
To that end, Alluringly ought to get the job done in the Group Three Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks.
One of five initial entries made by O’Brien, this Fastnet Rock filly did not show a great deal as a juvenile, but she certainly looked the part upon her return to the fray in a nine-furlong maiden at Tipperary in April.
Alluringly smashed up a fair field by nearly five lengths and upwards and finished off her race so sweetly that it is hard not to see her getting this longer trip.
O’Brien has also won this race for the last two years.
11-4fav Close up, effort over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Tallinski at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr. 7-2 Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Tallinski at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr. 14-1 Driven forward, tracked leaders, soon outpaced, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Endeavour at Brighton 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr. 100-1 Led until 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 7, 16l behind Mostahel at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) in Apr. (9) G Deacon 6 9-7 (CD2) ...Josephine Gordon (14) P Evans 4 9-5 ................... David Egan (7) (39) C Wallis 4 9-2 ......................... W Carson (9) R Hodges 4 9-0 ........................ D O’Neill (16) P G Murphy 9 8-11 (C3, D4) .... S Drowne (9) J Bradley 8 8-11 (C, D5) ...... R Winston (9) J Bradley 5 8-10 (CD) ....................... H Crouch (3) (9) R Ingram 4 8-7 (D3) .. Rhiain Ingram (7) (20) J G O’Shea 9 8-7 (D4) ........... Ben Robinson (7) (9)JGask48-7 ......................................... KO’Neill BETTING: 9-4 Compton Prince, 4 Captain Ryan, 5 Catalinas Diamond, 8 Burauq, 10 Zophilly, 12 Silver Springs, 14 Silver Wings, Jeanie’s Place, 16 Others. 7-1 Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Kingstreet Lady at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fm. 10-1 In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Kingstreet Lady at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fm. 40-1 Held up well off the pace towards rear, ridden towards outside 2f out, plugging on in 6th and held when eased towards finish, 6th of 14, 6l behind Go Amber Go at Windsor 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr. 8-1 In touch, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 7l behind Kingstreet Lady at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fm. 50-1 Towards rear, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kingstreet Lady at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fm. 16-1 Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kingstreet Lady at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
5-2 Tracked leaders, driven and effort on outside over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to press winner when carried right towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Historic Event at Chelmsford City 6f mdn stks (4) pol in Apr. 13-8fav Taken to post early, soon led from wide draw, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Many A Tale at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) in Aug. 5-1 Keen overall leader until ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Ocean Air at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr. 1-1fav Dwelt raced wide in touch, headway halfway to track leaders, wide into straight 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Roundabout Magic at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov. 200-1 Raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway on outside to lead over 4f out, ridden and headed when not much room 1f out, no extra, 5th of 11, 5l behind Ejaaby at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) in Apr.
13-8fav In touch, headway to press leaders over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, won at Salisbury 7f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Apr beating Living Leader by 6l, 9 ran. 5-1 Raced keenly, made most, clear over 1f out, ridden and ran on well, won at Brighton 1m stks 0-55 (6) gf in Apr beating Ettie Hart by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
6-1 Keen in touch, headway entering final furlong, ridden and soon led, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) in Apr beating Miss Goldsmith by 3/4l, 9 ran. 11-1 Tracked leader, ridden to lead and edged left approaching final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Bridge Of Sighs at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep. 13-2 Mid-division, headway over 3f out, outpaced by leaders from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 14l behind Zlatan at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct. BIG TIME MAYBE (19) T Dascombe 9-2 (BF) ........ R Kingscote BLACK ORANGE (11) Miss G Kelleway 9-2 (D) .......... M Dwyer CENTRAL CITY (11) H Palmer 9-2 ....................... James Doyle REQUINTO DAWN (25) R Fahey 9-2 (BF, D) ........... T Hamilton SIR WALTER E Alston 9-2 ............................................. J Hart THE GOLDEN CUE Steph Hollinshead 9-2 ............... R Ffrench EMILIA JAMES (13) M Johnston 8-11 (D) ................. F Norton FELISA (7) P Evans 8-11 .......................................... C Beasley FLOSS THE HOSS (8) P Evans 8-11 ........................ S De Sousa STORM DORIS (8) J Unett 8-11 ................................ R Powell YOGI’S GIRL (16) P Evans 8-11 (D) .............................. J F Egan BETTING: 11-4 Requinto Dawn, 7-2 Emilia James, 4 Yogi’s Girl, 6 Central City, 7 Big Time Maybe, 12 Black Orange, 20 Felisa, Floss The Hoss, 25 Others.
11-8fav Tacked leader, driven to lead over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Excellently Poised at Musselburgh 5f 2yo stks (3) gf in Apr. 4-9fav Made all, clear entering final furlong, comfortable, won at Beverley 5f Fillies Novice Auction Stakes (2yo) (5) gf in Apr beating Miss Bar Beach by 4l, 10 ran. 10-1 Made all on rail, shaken up inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Windsor 5f Fillies Novice Auction Stakes (2yo) (5) gf in Apr beating Mother of Dragons by 1/2l, 12 ran. 9-2 Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Koditime at Doncaster 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr. 1-1fav Led, driven well over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Mutanaaseq at Bath 5f nov med aut stk (5) fm in Apr. (16)HugoFroud59-10 ........................ KO’Neill (6) Mrs A Perrett 5 9-9 (D) ........ J Mitchell G Baker 5 9-7 (BF) ........................... H Crouch (3) (6) Martin Smith 5 9-7 (D2) .. Milly Naseb (7) (5) J Geake 9 9-6 (C5) ............. Jordan Uys (7) (15) B Meehan 4 9-5 (BF, CD) .................. J Fortune M Gillard 9 8-13 (C2) ............................ J Fahy (6)ArchieWatson88-10(D6) ................ EGreatrex(3) BETTING: 3 Glens Wobbly, 4 Pack It In, 9-2 East India, 6 Attain, 7 Bridge Of Sighs, Russian Reward, 10 Gold Flash, 20 Saint Helena.
12-1 Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Moayadd at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf. 5-2fav Raced keenly, tracked leader, went left 8f out, led 7f out, headed well over 1f out, chased leader until ridden over 1f out, soon hung left and beaten, 5th of 8, 10l behind Roy Rocket at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr. 4-1fav Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never on terms, 6th of 17, 9l behind Hardington at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct. 10-1 Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Bosphorus Prince at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap 0-70 (5) pol. 5-1 Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 8l behind Tom’s Rock at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol. 5-1 Led 1f, led again over 4f out, headed entering final furlong, faded, 5th of 9, 5l behind Tom’s Rock at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
9-2 Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again well inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 5, hd behind Melodic Motion at Pontefract 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
3-1fav Made all, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly, won at Bath 1m 3yo stk 0-70 (5) fm beating Raj Balaraaj by 3l, 7 ran. 16-1 Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind First Nation at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) in Nov. 6-1 Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 4th of 14, 6l behind Katebird at Nottingham 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct. 3-1fav Raced keenly, led over 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Gala Celebration at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
9-4fav Slowly into stride, outpaced in last pair, headway over 1f out, not clear run switched right and strong run well inside final furlong, led post, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Roy’s Legacy by ns, 6 ran. 6-1 Close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven to lead and edged left inside final furlong, headed and hampered and unseated rider towards finish, in a race won by Secretfact at Bath 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm, 5 ran. 66-1 Always behind, last of 13, 19l behind Priceless at Bath 5f fll lst stks (1) fm in Apr. 15-2 Behind, good headway between horses inside final furlong, ran on well towards finish, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Brother Tiger at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol. 6-1 Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Ballesteros at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct. 12-1 Slowly away, rushed up on outside to press leader over 4f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, lost 3rd over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind One Big Surprise at Brighton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr. 15-2 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to press for 2nd well inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 6th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Roy’s Legacy at Chepstow 5f hcap (5) gf. (90) I Williams 8 9-7 (CD2) ...... James Doyle (19) Kristin Stubbs 5 9-2 (CD) ............ T Hamilton (312) T Dascombe 4 9-0 (BF, D) ......... R Kingscote (119) P D’Arcy 5 8-13 ..................... J Haynes (16) J P Shanahan (IRE) 4 8-11 (D) ........... S Hitchcott (14) R Harris 5 8-10 (D5) ............ J P Spencer (200)TEasterby108-10(CD) ............ DAllan (22) J J Quinn 4 8-8 (CD) ..................... J Hart (19) E Alston 6 8-8 (CD5) ................... N Farley (21) R Fahey 4 8-3 (CD2) ............... S De Sousa (23)TEasterby48-3(C) ........................... CHardie (29) R Fahey 8 8-3 (CD2) ................ P Hanagan (4) David Loughnane 10 8-2 (D6) .... Hollie Doyle (3) BETTING: 9-2 El Astronaute, 5 Sir Maximilian, 6 Majestic Hero, 8 Confessional, 10 Reflektor, Soie D’leau, Spring Loaded, Blithe Spirit, 12 Others.