2021 Chester Cup: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Your guide to the tote+ Chester Cup Handicap (2.45), the highlight of the course's three-day May meeting on Friday.

2.45 Chester Friday: tote+ Chester Cup racecard and betting

1 Falcon Eight

Best effort in 2019; off since last June and has been gelded; needs to be nearer his best

Trainer: Dermot Weld
Jockey: Frankie Dettori
Odds: 7-1

2 Who Dares Wins

4th, 3rd and 2nd (on soft) in last three Chester Cups, so has to be taken very seriously

Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Tom Marquand
Odds: 12-1

3 The Grand Visir

Two big runs at Royal Ascot over 2m4f and 2m5f; peak efforts on good or good to soft

Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Richard Kingscote
Odds: 16-1

4 Themaxwecan

Non-runner

5 Lucky Deal

Below form latest; stamina is probably not a problem but ground softer than good could be

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Andrew Breslin (5)
Odds: 40-1

6 Rare Groove

Missed 2020 but has returned better than ever over 2m on Newcastle AW; drawn wide

Trainer: Jedd O'Keeffe
Jockey: PJ McDonald
Odds: 16-1

7 Not So Sleepy

4th in last two renewals of 2m2f Cesarewitch; in good form over hurdles last season

Trainer: Hughie Morrison
Jockey: Graham Lee
Odds: 7-1

8 Cardano

Ran very well over 1m4f on AW before excellent second to Themaxwecan at Musselburgh (1m6f)

Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Odds: 15-2

9 Reshoun

Career-best form when winning at Newbury (2m) last July before three backward steps

Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Odds: 22-1

10 Hochfeld

Resurgent over 1m5f/1m6f (good and good to firm) this spring; bit more to prove at 2m+

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Connor Beasley
Odds: 11-1

11 Trumpet Man

First run here; very good chance he can resume improvement with this greater stamina test

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Franny Norton
Odds: 8-1

12 Nate The Great

Looked a non-stayer sole attempt beyond 2m; in good form on AW and turf lately; considered

Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: David Probert
Odds: 10-1

13 Future Investment

Won here (good to soft) in August on sole 2m run; significant potential if ground is okay

Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Jockey: Hector Crouch
Odds: 15-2

14 Glencadam Glory

Close, front-running second in the Ebor at York (1m6f, soft); right out of form since

Trainer: Tim Easterby
Jockey: Jason Hart
Odds: 14-1

15 Rochester House

Pick of his 2020 form puts him in the picture, including neck second over 2m4f at Goodwood

Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Joe Fanning
Odds: 18-1

16 Blakeney Point

Mixed messages but his trainer has tasted notable success in this race

Trainer: Donald McCain
Jockey: Ella McCain (5)
Odds: 50-1

17 Coeur De Lion

Won the consolation race for this in 2019 (heavy) and at Royal Ascot (2m4f) last June

Trainer: Alan King
Jockey: Thore Hammer Hansen (5)
Odds: 9-1

The verdict

Who Dares Wins was placed in the last three renewals but Trumpet Man can prove well suited by venturing beyond 2m for the first time.
Richard Austen

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If you want more on the Chester Cup:

Morrison hoping Roodee rain will boost Not So Sleepy's Chester Cup chance

Frankie Dettori called up by Dermot Weld for Chester Cup ride on Falcon Eight

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