Cup glory for Koukash as Address wins at Chester

Report: Chester, Wednesday

StanJames.com Chester Cup 2m2½f, 4yo+

ADDRESS UNKNOWN made the perfect start to his career for Richard Fahey as he led home a 1-2 for the trainer from stablemate Ingleby Spirit.

The winner was a second in the race for owner Marwan Koukash, perhaps Chester's number one fan, and took jockey Jamie Spencer's record for Fahey this year to an incredible six wins from seven rides.

Sent off a 12-1 chance, Address Unknown finished half a length in front of Ingleby Sprirt with a head back to Tominator.

Top weight Simenon was putting in his best work at the finish but was unable to get to the first three, all of whom raced much more prominently than the dual Royal Ascot winner.

Although perhaps better known for bringing his mounts from the rear, Spencer showed he is equally adept at racing up with the pace as Address Unknown bowled along in company with Good Morning Star, another of Koukash's four runners in the race, on the heels of the front-running Countrywide Flame.

Those tactics delighted Koukash, whose interest in racing was greatly ignited when his Bulwark won this race in 2008.

"Jamie gave him a fantastic ride," said the winning owner. "I am absolutely delighted, over the moon. I have been in racing for five or six years and the only thing I wanted to do was win the Cup again."

A modest Spencer played down his part in the victory. "He was very brave," he said. "The horse normally has blinkers on and the trainer didn't put them on today. The race went very smooth for me and it is the race of the meeting so I am very happy to win it."

Fahey, who sent out Greenwich Meantime to win the Chester Cup in 2007 said: "To finish first and second in a race like this is fantastic. It is great for everybody and a fantastic performance.

"I thought it looked a good Chester Cup - I should think it would be the Northumberland Plate for them both now."