*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Falcon Eight faces a maximum of 16 rivals in his bid to regain the Chester Cup.
Ryan Moore has been booked to ride by trainer Dermot Weld and the 2021 winner is joined at the top of the weights by Rajinsky, who finished third in last year’s renewal and beat Trueshan on season reappearance last month.
A number of classy dual-purpose horses including Tritonic and Metier also take their chance in Friday’s 15:15 at Chester.
The latest Chester Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Chester Cup tips
Timeform: The Dominic Ffrench Davis stable has been knocking in the winners on a regular basis this spring so the vote goes to CALL MY BLUFF, who has a good course record, ran well on his recent Newbury reappearance and won’t be inconvenienced if the ground goes soft. Calling The Wind and Euchen Glen are the sorts who will need things to drop right but are more than capable of going close off their current marks if they do. Zoffee and 2021 winner Falcon Eight are others likely to be in the shake-up.
Chester Cup runners
Rajinsky
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Harry Davies Age: 7 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 5
Third in this last year and better than ever when proving too strong for Trueshan in a Nottingham listed race on his reappearance in April. Faded in uncharacteristically tame fashion when last of 6 in Sagaro at Ascot last week but he’s not the type to stay down for long.
***
Falcon Eight
Trainer: D. K. Weld Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 8 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 4
Won this off a 4lb lower mark on his 2021 reappearance and creditable fifth off 1 lb higher last year. Hard to argue he has much in hand of his mark but clearly suited to the demands of this race and likely to be in the shake-up again.
****
Reshoun
Trainer: Patrick Morris Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 9 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 9
Smart staying handicapper for Ian Williams but his Chester record isn’t great and he can only be watched on his reappearance for a new yard.
**
Tritonic
Trainer: Alan King Jockey: Hollie Doyle Age: 6 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 8
Won on the Flat at Goodwood (1½m) last autumn. Not at very best over hurdles subsequently but last month’s fourth in a 2½m handicap at Aintree’s Grand National meeting was a step back in the right direction and he’s unexposed as a stayer on the Flat.
***
Euchen Glen
Trainer: Jim Goldie Jockey: Paul Mulrennan Age: 10 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 13
Last win in 2021 but he was placed at Glorious Goodwood and shaped well in the Ebor at York last summer. Showed there’s still plenty of life in his 10-y-o legs when fourth on Musselburgh return over Easter and could go close if things fall right.
****
Calling The Wind
Trainer: Richard Hughes Jockey: Jamie Spencer Age: 7 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 6
Won a Glorious Goodwood handicap and placed in the Cesarewitch and November Handicap in an excellent 2021 campaign. Didn’t quite reach the same heights last year but shaped as if back in form when close fourth in 2m Wolverhampton conditions race on reappearance. Interesting contender.
****
The Grand Visir
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 9 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 16
No win since landing the Ascot Stakes at the 2019 Royal meeting. Good second to Falcon Eight in the 2021 running of this but not seen since finishing mid-field in last year’s renewal. Draw could make life awkward. Others are preferred.
**
Metier
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Saffie Osborne Age: 7 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 14
Smart hurdler who revelled in very testing ground when making winning return to Flat in November Handicap at Doncaster. Bit disappointing over hurdles/on AW Flat over the winter but better signs when second of 14 to Wise Eagle in Musselburgh handicap over Easter. The more rain the better for him.
***
Vino Victrix
Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Benoit de la Sayette Age: 5 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 10
Enjoyed a productive 2022 campaign, winner of 2m Goodwood handicap and runner-up on 3 occasions, most notably in Cesarewitch at Newmarket. Likely still on a workable mark but he ran poorly when faced with heavy ground on his Newbury reappearance so conditions a worry if the forecast rain arrives.
***
Zoffee
Trainer: Hugo Palmer Jockey: Ben Curtis Age: 7 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 3
Had a very good spell back on the Flat for this yard last year, winning twice at up to 2m and fourth in the Cesarewitch on final start. Locally trained and reasonable to assume he’ll be well primed for this reappearance. Each-way claims.
****
Bascule
Trainer: Richard Hughes Jockey: Billy Loughnane Age: 5 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 15
Useful stayer but his best efforts have been reserved for AW and Calling The Wind looks a more obvious contender for the stable.
**
Almuhit
Trainer: Denis Hogan Jockey: J. M. Sheridan Age: 4 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 17
Quite useful on the Flat for the Gosden stable in 2022. Achieved only fair form in juvenile hurdles for current connections over the winter but he may fare better back on the level.
***
Law Of The Sea
Trainer: Ian Williams Jockey: Franny Norton Age: 5 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 7
Useful at up to 1¾m for the Gosden stable. Disappointing in 2 outings for Bhupat Seemar in Dubai at the start of 2023 but joined a shrewd stable and Franny Norton booked so he’s worth a second look in the betting.
**
Aztec Empire
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 12
Pair of AW wins at up to 2m at Kempton this year but having only his second outing on turf when a remote sixth on very testing ground at Newbury last month. Represents leading connections but others have less to prove.
**
Emiyn
Trainer: Declan Carroll Jockey: Harrison Shaw Age: 6 Weight: 8st 7lbs Draw: 1
Front-runner with a good track record, including a win over this trip last September (also fourth in last year’s Plate). Needs to shrug off a disappointing effort at Thirsk 3 weeks ago but his course form affords him respect.
***
Call My Bluff
Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis Jockey: John Egan Age: 6 Weight: 8st 6lbs Draw: 2
Has a win and 2 good placed efforts to show for his 3 visits to Chester. Couldn’t live with a big improver on his Newbury reappearance 3 weeks ago but pulled well clear of the rest. Much respected for a stable which has made a tremendous start to the season.
*****
Al Zaraqaan
Trainer: Sam England Jockey: L. F. Roche Age: 6 Weight: 8st 5lbs Draw: 11
Useful on AW Flat. Also won 4 times over hurdles hurdles in the second half of 2022. Respectable second in Fakenham claiming hurdle last month (final start for Archie Watson). Lower mark on turf compared to AW but others have less to prove.
**
Friday’s Horse Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Friday at Chester and Ascot
- Rory Delargy’s horse racing tips for Chester & Ascot on Friday
- Ruby Walsh’s horse racing tips for Friday’s ITV action
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips for Friday at Chester and Ascot
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