Chester confident Cup will survive threat from Ebor and Cesarewitch

Chester has warned of the danger for racing of the massively increased purses for the Ebor and Cesarewitch, but the course is confident the Chester Cup, which attracts a similar type of horse and was worth £154,000 last May, will survive the challenge presented by races thatwill both offer £1 million in prize-money by 2020.

The races come in the second half of the season and are likely to be targeted by stayers who could thus bypass the Roodee in the spring.

Reflecting on the newly enhanced Ebor and Cesarewitch, Chester general manager Andrew Morris said: "We're going to have to see how those type of races work over the years. I don't think we have any particular concerns. It's a long season and I'm sure most horses have the ability to peak in May and then come back again.