racing_news/

Ile De Re Heads McCain One-Two in Chester Cup
09/05/12

1 Ile De Re 10/1
2 Overturn 7/1
3 Gulf Of Naples 11/2
4 Eternal Heart 14/1
16 ran

Overturn failed to gain back-to-back victories in the StanJames.com Chester Cup, foiled by his stablemate Ile de Re (10-1) as trainer Donald McCain claimed a one-two.

Ile De Re
© Grossick Racing Photography

Having his first race since leaving the Ian Williams yard, Ile de Re picked up the game front-running Overturn a furlong out to land the spoils.

Eddie Ahern had the field strung out like washing as Overturn (7-1) made a brave attempt to win again, but he could not quite give 13lb to Ile de Re. The winner made relentless progress on the final circuit for Jim Crowley and ultimately scored in good style by a length and three-quarters.

Gulf Of Naples (11-2 co-favourite) was five lengths away in third with Eternal Heart (14-1) a long way back in fourth. Both were trained by Mark Johnston.

The stalls were not used for this race due to the soft conditions.

Crowley said: "He was being a bit fractious at the start but I managed to get a good position after a furlong and we got a good trip all the way round. He travelled nicely and he was loving the ground so I was pretty confident and I knew he'd keep going."

McCain said: "Ian Williams deserves a lot of the credit as he did a lot of the work and we've only had him a few weeks. It was a brave run from the old horse as well. I don't quite know how to feel as he's beaten everything bar the other one. I thought he'd win two furlongs out but the weight on that ground has taken its toll.

"We all have a huge affection for him in the yard because he's so tough. Overturn is in the Ascot Gold Cup as well as the Queen Alexandra and that race would suit him. I shall speak to Tim (Leslie, owner) but I expect he'll end up running in one of those races at Ascot.

"We'd thought of the Northumberland Plate for Ile De Re but if he doesn't win another race for us, it doesn't matter. Flat racing is not the be-all-and-end-all for us but we are lucky to have some smashing horses that can do a job for us."

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Ile De Re D McCain Jnr	Jim Crowley 8st 11lbs	10 - 1 Winner
2	Overturn D McCain Jnr	E Ahern 9st 10lbs	7 - 1 1 3/4 length
3	Gulf of Naples M Johnston	F Norton 9st 1lbs	11 - 2 5 lengths
4	Eternal Heart M Johnston	J Fanning 9st 3lbs	14 - 1 13 lengths
5	Harrison's Cave A P O'Brien	R L Moore 8st 8lbs	11 - 2 2 1/2 lengths
6	Kiama Bay J J Quinn	T Eaves 9st 1lbs	16 - 1 11 lengths
7	Dazinski M H Tompkins	P Mulrennan 8st 7lbs	16 - 1 1 length
8	Never Can Tell J A Osborne	L Dettori 9st 0lbs	11 - 1 27 lengths
9	Merchant Of Dubai J S Goldie	G Lee 8st 12lbs	20 - 1 10 lengths
10	Barbican A Bailey	D Holland 9st 10lbs	20 - 1 1/2 length
11	Shubaat R Varian	D Fox 8st 7lbs	11 - 2 23 lengths
12	Address Unknown Ian Williams	S Donohoe 9st 1lbs	40 - 1 2 1/2 lengths
13	Tominator R Hollinshead	P Pickard 9st 4lbs	12 - 1 50 lengths
14	Mystery Star M H Tompkins	P Hanagan 8st 12lbs	33 - 1 12 lengths
15	Ajaan Sir H R A Cecil	T P Queally 9st 2lbs	20 - 1 61 lengths
PulledUp	Kazbow C Grant	K Fallon 8st 11lbs	50 - 1
NonRunner	Zuider Zee J H M Gosden	Non Runner 9st 9lbs	-
NonRunner	Mount Athos L M Cumani	Non Runner 9st 7lbs	-