Ladbrokes Chester Cup |
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| Heritage Handicap 15:40 £170,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f 140y, Class 2  |
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James Owen has thrown his hat into the ring with his star juvenile hurdler East India Dock, who is on course for a switch back to the Flat in next month’s £170,000 Heritage handicap— and the Newmarket handler sounds bullish about his chances on the Roodee.
Third in a thrilling renewal of the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, East India Dock brings top-class jumping credentials and no shortage of stamina to the historic tight-turning track, and Owen believes he’s very much one to note.
“We’re keen to go to Chester with him,” he said. “If he gets in, I’m sure we’ll be coming.”
Off a mark of 89, East India Dock would have made the cut in each of the past three editions, and connections are hopeful that the mark underplays what he’s shown over timber.
“He’s well handicapped on his hurdles form — no question,” Owen added. “He’s not fussy about ground, he’ll stay every yard, and he races economically, which will be key around there. We skipped Aintree just to give him a little freshen up and come here sharp.”
But Owen could have more than one string to his bow. Liam Swagger, third in the Fred Winter, is also in the frame — though connections are hoping a trip to Chelmsford can earn him a penalty and secure a spot in the big one.
“He’s rated 83 at the moment, which puts him on the cusp. He’ll go to Chelmsford in the hope of picking up a few pounds,” Owen said.
Much the best!@HectorCrouch strikes aboard the well-supported Charging Thunder, with the pair pulling clear to win at @Southwell_Races for @JPOwenRacing! pic.twitter.com/pHkUSDBNps
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 28, 2025
Charging Thunder, a four-time winner from five since joining Owen, looks a lively candidate off 90, especially given his preference for going left-handed. Meanwhile, Cavern Club, a Doncaster scorer over hurdles last month, is being aimed at the consolation race off 81.
Elsewhere, the 201st running of the Chester Cup has attracted a strong field of 73 entries. Last year’s winner Zoffee returns for local trainer Hugo Palmer, while Metier, victorious in 2023, is also entered. Irish eyes are watching too, with six contenders across the water including Aidan O’Brien’s London City and Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf — a Flat winner at Newmarket and runner-up in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
With talent stacked across the card and Chester’s unique demands sure to test every runner’s mettle, this year’s renewal is already shaping up to be another vintage chapter in the Cup’s storied history.
Chester Cup Heritage Handicap
£170,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f 140y, Class 2
73 entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY (form as of Apr 09)
1 24332- Aimeric 6 - K R Burke
2 11188- Align The Stars 4 - Charlie Johnston
3 3056-2 Artisan Dancer 5 - Charlie Johnston
4 4/47-7 Artistic Star 5 - Ralph Beckett
5 54/59- Bashful Boy 9 - David Pipe
6 211-11 Caballo De Mar 4 - George Scott
7 03166- Cavern Club 5 - James Owen
8 4431-1 Charging Thunder 7 - James Owen
9 /1120- Chemistry 4 - Ivan Furtado
10 85-213 Comte De Loir 4 - James Ferguson
11 71212- Contacto 4 - Andrew Balding
12 4-4531 Cool Party 5 - Charlie Johnston
13 31-321 Dance Time 5 - David Loughnane
14 3561-6 Dawn Rising 8 - Joseph O'Brien
15 37-981 Destinado 7 - James Owen
16 12580- Divine Comedy 7 - Harry Eustace
17 4-1629 Dreams Adozen 5 - Charlie Johnston
18 38311- Duke Of Oxford 5 - Michael Bell
19 04314- East India Dock 4 - James Owen
20 02360- Emiyn 8 - Declan Carroll
21 575-54 Fleurman 7 - Patrick Morris
22 308-38 Gallant Lion 5 - Ian Williams
23 3321-2 Gibside 6 - Tim Easterby
24 03180/ Good Show 6 - Andrew Balding
25 27943- Havaila 6 - Gary & Josh Moore
26 7233-1 Hot Fuss 4 - Tom Dascombe
27 6/342/ Hydroplane 9 - Ian Williams
8 228/8- It's Good To Laugh 8 - Jennie Candlish
29 07006- Law Of The Sea 7 - Ian Williams
30 8125-5 Legacy Power 5 - Andrew Balding
31 8/13-1 Leinster 4 - Joseph O'Brien
32 3252-1 Liam Swagger 4 - James Owen
33 6/115- London City 4 - A P O'Brien
34 4379/ Luttrell Lad 9 - Tom Lacey
35 23312- Manxman 5 - Simon & Ed Crisford
36 36P24- Maxident 5 - Raphael E Freire
37 /758-8 Metier 9 - Harry Fry
38 11-546 Moon Over Miami 4 - Ralph Beckett
39 1/442- Morning Air 4 - Venetia Williams
40 43003- Mr Hampstead 4 - Raphael E Freire
41 22-212 Plage De Havre 4 - Andrew Balding
42 /257-3 Real Dream 6 - Ian Williams
43 21440- Riviera Queen 4 - Mrs John Harrington
44 2/6-62 Royal Deeside 5 - Patrick Morris
45 70932- Sheradann 5 - Ian Williams
46 21560- Simiyann 5 - Ian Williams
47 23613- Sixandahalf 5 - Gavin Cromwell
48 12363- Sixpack 5 - James Owen
49 21122- Small Fry 4 - Gary & Josh Moore
50 48110- Spirit Mixer 7 - Andrew Balding
51 50/85- State Legend 6 - Ian Williams
52 3D1717- Surrey Belle 5 - Adrian Paul Keatley
53 12166- Tactician 4 - Andrew Balding
54 32154- Tailorman 5 - Ian Williams
55 8070-3 Taipan 7 - Mrs John Harrington
56 05930- Tashkhan 7 - Brian Ellison
57 /1467- Tokyo Bay 4 - K R Burke
58 6320-5 Tritonic 8 - Alan King
59 3364-1 Trojan Storm 4 - Ian Williams
60 25392- True Legend 5 - Ian Williams
61 5250-3 Vaguely Royal 5 - Anthony Charlton
62 24361- Wahraan 7 - Jamie Osborne
63 4215-2 Who's Glen 4 - Andrew Balding
64 11046- Wild Waves 4 - Andrew Balding
65 845-70 Wind Your Neck In 6 - Sam England
66 0620-2 Wise Eagle 8 - Adam Nicol
67 231-21 Wonder Legend 5 - James Ferguson
68 33006- Yashin 6 - Michael Bell
69 42154/ Zain Nights 6 - Lucy Wadham
70 7036-7 Zealandia 8 - Ian Williams
71 91845- Zimmerman 6 - Tim Easterby
72 1/100/ Zinc White 7 - Ian Williams
73 00940- Zoffee 9 - Hugo Palmer
