Ladbrokes Chester Cup |
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| Heritage Handicap 15:40 £170,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f 140y, Class 2  |
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James Owen has thrown his hat into the ring with his star juvenile hurdler East India Dock, who is on course for a switch back to the Flat in next month’s £170,000 Heritage handicap— and the Newmarket handler sounds bullish about his chances on the Roodee.
Third in a thrilling renewal of the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, East India Dock brings top-class jumping credentials and no shortage of stamina to the historic tight-turning track, and Owen believes he’s very much one to note.
“We’re keen to go to Chester with him,” he said. “If he gets in, I’m sure we’ll be coming.”
Off a mark of 89, East India Dock would have made the cut in each of the past three editions, and connections are hopeful that the mark underplays what he’s shown over timber.
“He’s well handicapped on his hurdles form — no question,” Owen added. “He’s not fussy about ground, he’ll stay every yard, and he races economically, which will be key around there. We skipped Aintree just to give him a little freshen up and come here sharp.”
But Owen could have more than one string to his bow. Liam Swagger, third in the Fred Winter, is also in the frame — though connections are hoping a trip to Chelmsford can earn him a penalty and secure a spot in the big one.
“He’s rated 83 at the moment, which puts him on the cusp. He’ll go to Chelmsford in the hope of picking up a few pounds,” Owen said.
Much the best!@HectorCrouch strikes aboard the well-supported Charging Thunder, with the pair pulling clear to win at @Southwell_Races for @JPOwenRacing! pic.twitter.com/pHkUSDBNps
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 28, 2025
Charging Thunder, a four-time winner from five since joining Owen, looks a lively candidate off 90, especially given his preference for going left-handed. Meanwhile, Cavern Club, a Doncaster scorer over hurdles last month, is being aimed at the consolation race off 81.
Elsewhere, the 201st running of the Chester Cup has attracted a strong field of 61 remaining entries. Irish eyes are watching too, with contenders across the water including Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf — a Flat winner at Newmarket and runner-up in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Zoffee gave trainer Hugo Palmer and connections a day to remember when plundering Chester’s May Festival feature 12 months ago and he will spearhead the Manor House trainer’s swelling team for the three-day meeting.
Palmer said: “We don’t have runners unfortunately for the Classic trials, but I would expect that we will be represented in pretty much every other race over the three days, with Zoffee obviously being the highlight.
“He is training really well and will go for a racecourse gallop at Southwell later this week in the same way that he did last year.”
Zoffee is a 14-1 shot with the sponsors to retain the trophy, with Palmer intending to take advantage of apprentice Joe Leavy’s claim to assist his charge’s cause.
“I’d say it is likely Joe Leavy will ride him this year, as long as Joe doesn’t lose his 3lb claim,” continued Palmer.
“He is a year older and 1lb higher than he was last year, but he is still rated lower than when he was beaten a short head in the race in 2023 and I am really pleased with how the prep is going.”
Metier, victorious in 2023, is also entered.
Chester Cup Heritage Handicap
£170,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f 140y, Class 2
61 remaining entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Apr 24)
1 4332-2 Aimeric 6 9-12 K R Burke
2 05930- Tashkhan 7 9-11 Brian Ellison
3 /1120- Chemistry 4 9-9 Ivan Furtado
4 33006- Yashin 6 9-8 Michael Bell
5 3561-6 Dawn Rising 8 9-8 Joseph O'Brien
6 31-211 Wonder Legend 5 9-8 3ex James Ferguson
7 2580-2 Divine Comedy 7 9-6 Harry Eustace
8 257-34 Real Dream 6 9-6 Ian Williams
9 8070-3 Taipan 7 9-3 Mrs John Harrington
10 8311-4 Duke Of Oxford 5 9-1 Michael Bell
1 /758-8 Metier 9 9-0 Harry Fry
12 21440- Riviera Queen 4 8-13 Mrs John Harrington
13 23613- Sixandahalf 5 8-13 Gavin Cromwell
14 25392- True Legend 5 8-11 Ian Williams
15 4215-2 Who's Glen 4 8-11 Andrew Balding
16 431-12 Charging Thunder 7 8-11 James Owen
17 7233-1 Hot Fuss 4 8-11 Tom Dascombe
18 00940- Zoffee 9 8-10 Hugo Palmer
19 23312- Manxman 5 8-9 Simon & Ed Crisford
20 5250-3 Vaguely Royal 5 8-9 Anthony Charlton
21 8110-5 Spirit Mixer 7 8-9 Andrew Balding
22 2360-6 Emiyn 8 8-9 Declan Carroll
23 8/13-1 Leinster 4 8-9 Joseph O'Brien
24 42154/ Zain Nights 6 8-8 Lucy Wadham
25 70932- Sheradann 5 8-8 Ian Williams
26 03180/ Good Show 6 8-7 Andrew Balding
27 04314- East India Dock 4 8-7 James Owen
28 1/100/ Zinc White 7 8-6 Ian Williams
29 24361- Wahraan 7 8-5 Jamie Osborne
30 71212- Contacto 4 8-4 Andrew Balding
31 211-11 Caballo De Mar 4 8-3 George Scott
32 1/442- Morning Air 4 8-2 Venetia Williams
33 228/8- It's Good To Laugh 8 8-2 Jennie Candlish
34 54/59- Bashful Boy 9 8-1 David Pipe
35 252-13 Liam Swagger 4 8-1 James Owen
36 43003- Mr Hampstead 4 8-0 Raphael E Freire
37 3166-0 Cavern Club 5 8-0 James Owen
38 7036-7 Zealandia 8 7-13 Ian Williams
39 1122-3 Small Fry 4 7-12 Gary & Josh Moore
40 3321-2 Gibside 6 7-12 Tim Easterby
41 36P24- Maxident 5 7-12 Raphael E Freire
42 50/85- State Legend 6 7-12 Ian Williams
43 3056-2 Artisan Dancer 5 7-12 Charlie Johnston
44 845-70 Wind Your Neck In 6 7-12 Sam England
45 6/342/ Hydroplane 9 7-11 Ian Williams
46 91845- Zimmerman 6 7-11 Tim Easterby
47 575-54 Fleurman 7 7-10 Patrick Morris
48 07006- Law Of The Sea 7 7-9 Ian Williams
49 3D1717- Surrey Belle 5 7-9 Adrian Paul Keatley
50 162975 Dreams Adozen 5 7-8 Charlie Johnston
51 5-2134 Comte De Loir 4 7-7 James Ferguson
52 1467-8 Tokyo Bay 4 7-7 K R Burke
53 3364-1 Trojan Storm 4 7-6 Ian Williams
54 4379/ Luttrell Lad 9 7-6 Tom Lacey
55 1560-8 Simiyann 5 7-5 Ian Williams
56 08-388 Gallant Lion 5 7-4 Ian Williams
57 7-9812 Destinado 7 7-4 James Owen
58 27943- Havaila 6 7-4 Gary & Josh Moore
59 1-3210 Dance Time 5 7-3 David Loughnane
60 32154- Tailorman 5 7-2 Ian Williams
61 2/6-62 Royal Deeside 5 7-1 Patrick Morris
