Tote Chester Cup: four key runners who are proven in the mud

Ante-post favourite Novel Legend was the last horse to not make the cut for Friday’s 17-runner Tote Chester Cup.

The frustration of his connections will likely be increased before the race gets under way as a non-runner or two must be a possibility given that the ground has softened considerably since the declarations were made.

Times at Chester on Wednesday were slow after a deluge of rain, with Savethelastdance seemingly the only runner to cope with conditions in the Cheshire Oaks. She won in a time almost 14 seconds outside the standard, yet still crossed the line 22 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. Winning jockey Ryan Moore was most complimentary but observed “the others gave up”.

Arrest won the Derby Trial in a time 16 seconds outside the standard, in a race where the five runners were separated by 116 lengths.

Savethelastdance is now a general 13-8 for the Oaks, with Arrest a best price of 7-1 for the Derby (some firms offer just 4-1). But there is plenty more water to flow under the bridge over the coming days and I'd beware getting stuck in, not least because conditions at Epsom may be entirely different.

Testing ground seems assured for Friday’s highlight, with more rain forecast. That will obviously make it more of a stamina test and take the draw out of things, to an extent, with a low stall perhaps not as essential as perceived.

For example, when the race was on heavy ground, in 2019, the first four home were drawn 16, 12, 7 and 17.

Here are four key contenders, in preferred order. Sky Bet are offering six places six places for each-way purposes with most other firms going five.

Chester form: 132. Best odds: a general 10-1

The Dominic French Davis-trained six-year-old looks to have everything in his favour. He’s got excellent course form, relishes the mud, is drawn low and gets weight from all bar one of his rivals.

Moreover, he should be spot-on for this after chasing home the well-handicapped Novel Legend at Newbury last month when he drew nine lengths clear of the third home.

Call My Bluff is only 3lb higher than when coming from a long way back to be a close third in last year’s Chester Plate on good ground when making his seasonal return, and looked a tad unlucky when beaten a head in another valuable handicap over course and distance in September.

John Egan knows him well and can scoop his second win in the race, having guided Admiral to a surprise win in 2006.

Chester form: --. Best odds: a general 11-1

Richard Hughes and Jamie Spencer have each ridden two Chester Cup winners, and now team up with a challenger who, like Call My Bluff, ticks plenty of boxes.

Calling The Wind stays all day, as you would expect from a horse who has twice been placed in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot. But he’s also no sluggard and also has some smart handicap form to his name over much shorter distances.

That makes him an ideal candidate for Chester, a track that demands a blend of speed and stamina.

He’s perhaps not won the races he might have on turf – two wins from 17 starts – but he’s slipped back to the mark he was third off in the 2021 Cesarewitch and he shaped well on his return at Wolverhampton.

Chester form: --. Best odds: a general 11-1

This mudlark was a leading fancy for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle after routing his rivals in the Tolworth at the start of 2021 but he ran poorly at Cheltenham and has subsequently lost his way over jumps.

There’s been nothing wrong with his past two turf efforts on the Flat, though, as he won last year’s November Handicap (on heavy ground) and made the progressive Wise Eagle dig deep in a valuable contest at Musselburgh last time. He was partnered by Saffie Osborne on both occasions, and she keeps the ride.

Wise Eagle franked the form when runner-up in the Sagaro Stakes and is bound for the Gold Cup, so Metier’s 3lb rise in not unreasonable. There’s little doubt he will cope with underfoot conditions and, while unraced beyond 1m6f on the level, he promises to stay.

Chester form: 15. Best odds: 6-1 with William Hill

Seeks to become the tenth two-time winner of a race first run in 1824 – but only fourth to regain his crown.

Falcon Eight swept through from of the pace when winning two years ago under Frankie Dettori but the combination could not repeat the trick last year; finishing a never-nearer fifth after getting caught too far out of their ground.

With Dettori heading to America, it’s Ryan Moore who will be on board this time and I’d imagine he sit a bit closer to the leaders, not least because otherwise he risks surrendering a decent draw in stall 4.

Falcon Eight seems versatile regards the ground but he’s only 1lb lower than 12 months ago and only one other horse aged older than 7 has won since 1986.

It won’t be a surprise if he again makes his presence felt but he may just be vulnerable to younger rivals with lighter weights.