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Established in 1824, the Chester Cup has attracted a maximum field of seventeen including the 2021 winner Falcon Eight. The race is run over 2M 2F 140 yards on the turning track of Chester racecourse with this valuable handicap is open to four year olds and upwards. Below, you will find my expert tote Chester Cup tips, trends and analysis to give you the edge over the bookies.
tote Chester Cup Tips, Trends & Analysis
Rajinsky (Draw 5)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: Harry Davies (3)
Trained locally, ran third in this event last year under the same jockey Harry Davies as today. Took the scalp of Trueshan at Nottingham on his re-appearance over 1m 6F on soft ground but flopped against the same horse and Coltrane over 2M at Ascot races since. Ground will suit but is now 11lb higher than last year’s third.
Falcon Eight (Draw 4)
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Irish raider who won this in 2021 under Frankie Dettori off of a 4lb lower mark and 5th last year under the same jockey when 5lb higher. His form’s been a bit patchy since over hurdles as well as the flat but the booking of Ryan Moore for the in-form trainer is a big positive.
Reshoun (Draw 9)
Trainer: Patrick Morris
Jockey: Jim Crowley
Back after a 230-day lay off and has left Ian Williams to join Patrick Morris. Yet to feature in four starts at the track including when 11th in the 2021 contest. Handles soft ground but will need a career best to feature here.
Tritionic (Draw 8)
Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Hollie Doyle
Last seen running 4th in the handicap hurdle at Aintree racecourse last month. Yet to race beyond 1m 4F on the flat and handles slow ground well. 4lb higher than when winning at Goodwood last October over 1m 4F and yet to race at Chester.
Euchen Glen (Draw 13)
Trainer: Jim Goldie
Jockey: Paul Mulrennan
Soundly beaten in three starts here. Fair effort last time out at Musselburgh when 4th in 1M 6F Queens Cup. An infrequent winner nowadays however and appears to be in the handicappers grip.
Calling The Wind (Draw 6)
Trainer: Richard Hughes
Jockey: Jamie Spencer
One of two Richard Hughes runners in race. Handles mud well and stays this trip. 6lb higher than his last victory which came at Goodwood in July of 2021. Gone ten outings since without troubling the judge and has yet to race at this track. Each way claims at best from favourable draw.
The Grand Visir (Draw 16)
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Not been seen since running 9th ( beaten 8 1/2L) in last year’s race from stall 14. Not fared any better this year and races from stall 16. Been a long time since he was in the winners enclosure and although 4lb lower than last year is very hard to fancy.
Metier (Draw 14)
Trainer: Harry Fry
Jockey: Saffie Osborne
More rain the better for this soft ground specialist. Ran very well at Musselburgh in the Queens Cup over 1M 6F last month when a half length runner up to Wise Eagle who’s franked the form since by running Coltrane to 4 3/4L in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot. Upped in trip today but stays 2M well over hurdles. Was pulled out on the morning of this race last year with a vets certificate. Could run well.
Vino Victrix (Draw 10)
Trainer: Hughie Morrison
Jockey: Benoit De La Sayette (3)
A winner over 2M at Goodwood last August on good to soft ground. Well beaten on re-appearance at Newbury on soft ground and not certain to be suited by very soft ground here. 6lb higher than last victory and best watched.
Zoffee (Draw 3)
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Last seen when 4th in Cesarewitch at Newmarket last October. Trained locally and has each way claims although has to race off of highest ever flat handicap mark and has an 216 day absence to overcome.
Bascule (Draw 15)
Trainer: Richard Hughes
Jockey: Billy Loughnane (3)
Racked up a four timer on the all-weather back in 2021 but has been paying for it ever since and has been mixing all weather with jumping recently. Had no form on soft ground and hard to fancy from a wide draw.
Almuhit (Draw 17)
Trainer: Denis Gerard Hogan
Jockey: J M Sheridan (3)
Lightly raced four year old having only his eleventh ever career start and sixth on the flat. First run on the level for Irish trainer and hard to fancy from the widest draw of all.
Law of the Sea (Draw 7)
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Franny Norton
Has been in training with B Seemar in UAE and now in the care of Ian Williams who has won this race twice before with Bulwark in 2008 and Magic Circle in 2018. Yet to race beyond 1M 6F and has stamina to prove here.
Aztec Empire (Draw 12)
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
Only his eighth career run and only third on the turf. Had looked progressive this winter plying his trade on the all-weather winning twice at Kempton at 1m 4F and 2M but was soundly beaten back on the turf on soft ground at Newbury in April (22 1/2L behind Call My Bluff). Soft ground could be a major issue here.
Emiyn (Draw 1)
Trainer: Declan Carroll
Jockey: Harrison Shaw
Ran 4th in the consolation race last year from a 3lb lower mark and won over course and distance from rival Call My Bluff by a head last September when making all having started out wide from stall 16. Track and ground suit well and nice draw. A player here for sure.
Call My Bluff (Draw 2)
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench-Davis
Jockey: J F Egan
Six year old gelding who has plenty going for him. 3rd in the consolation race last year before running Emiyn to a head (2lb better off) over course and distance last September. His form figures here read 132 whilst his form figures on soft or heavy read 511202. Bumped into one last time when 6L runner up to Novel Legend (hot favourite for the consolation race today) pulling 9L clear of the remainder (including Aztec Empire) and is 2lb well in today. A major player.
tote Chester Cup Tips
Not as classy a renewal as usual with the draw and ground the two major factors here. Call My Bluff ticks many of the boxes as loving the soft ground, has good form at the track and is well drawn. He’s the main bet although if we back him we must have a small each way saver on Emiyn who’s form ties in with his.
Falcon Eight has won this race before and has been lucky with the draw and is another one for the shortlist from the in form Dermot Weld yard with Ryan Moore booked. Another with claims is Harry Fry’s Metier who took last season’s November Handicap at Doncaster on heavy ground and will relish the soft conditions.
Call My Bluff 2 points each way @ 10/1 1/5th 12345 bet365
Emiyn 1 point each way @ 11/1 1/5th 12345 William Hill
Metier 1/2 point each way @ 10/1 1/5th 12345 Boylesports
All odds are accurate at the time of writing.
