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.
Zoffee gave trainer Hugo Palmer and connections a day to remember when plundering Chester’s May Festival feature 12 months ago and he will spearhead the Manor House trainer’s swelling team for the three-day meeting.
Palmer said: “We don’t have runners unfortunately for the Classic trials, but I would expect that we will be represented in pretty much every other race over the three days, with Zoffee obviously being the highlight.
“He is training really well and will go for a racecourse gallop at Southwell later this week in the same way that he did last year.”
Zoffee is a 14-1 shot with the sponsors to retain the trophy, with Palmer intending to take advantage of apprentice Joe Leavy’s claim to assist his charge’s cause.
“I’d say it is likely Joe Leavy will ride him this year, as long as Joe doesn’t lose his 3lb claim,” continued Palmer.
“He is a year older and 1lb higher than he was last year, but he is still rated lower than when he was beaten a short head in the race in 2023 and I am really pleased with how the prep is going.”
Chester Cup Heritage Handicap
£170,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 2f 140y, Class 2
44 remaining entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 05930- Tashkhan 7 9-12 Brian Ellison
2 /1120- Chemistry 4 9-10 Ivan Furtado
3 3561-6 Dawn Rising 8 9-9 Joseph O'Brien
4 31-211 Wonder Legend 5 9-9 3ex James Ferguson Daniel Muscutt
5 580-23 Divine Comedy 7 9-7 Harry Eustace Kaiya Fraser
6 8070-3 Taipan 7 9-4 Mrs John Harrington
7 311-43 Duke Of Oxford 5 9-2 Michael Bell Tom Marquand
8 21440- Riviera Queen 4 9-0 Mrs John Harrington
9 4215-2 Who's Glen 4 8-12 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy
10 31-125 Charging Thunder 7 8-12 James Owen
11 7233-1 Hot Fuss 4 8-12 Tom Dascombe Pierre-Louis Jamin
12 00940- Zoffee 9 8-11 Hugo Palmer Joe Leavy
13 5250-3 Vaguely Royal 5 8-10 Anthony Charlton
14 8110-5 Spirit Mixer 7 8-10 Andrew Balding
15 2360-6 Emiyn 8 8-10 Declan Carroll Zak Wheatley
16 8/13-1 Leinster 4 8-10 Joseph O'Brien Ryan Moore
17 03180/ Good Show 6 8-8 Andrew Balding
18 04314- East India Dock 4 8-8 James Owen Harry Davies
19 1/100/ Zinc White 7 8-7 Ian Williams
20 11-111 Caballo De Mar 4 8-7 3ex George Scott Callum Shepherd
21 4361-9 Wahraan 7 8-6 Jamie Osborne
22 71212- Contacto 4 8-5 Andrew Balding
23 1/442- Morning Air 4 8-3 Venetia Williams
24 228/8- It's Good To Laugh 8 8-3 Jennie Candlish
25 54/59- Bashful Boy 9 8-2 David Pipe
26 52-136 Liam Swagger 4 8-2 James Owen
27 056-21 Artisan Dancer 5 8-2 3ex Charlie Johnston
28 7036-7 Zealandia 8 8-0 Ian Williams
29 321-28 Gibside 6 7-13 Tim Easterby
30 50/85- State Legend 6 7-13 Ian Williams
31 6/342/ Hydroplane 9 7-12 Ian Williams
32 1845-4 Zimmerman 6 7-12 Tim Easterby
33 575-54 Fleurman 7 7-11 Patrick Morris
34 07006- Law Of The Sea 7 7-10 Ian Williams
35 1717-2 Surrey Belle 5 7-10 Adrian Paul Keatley
36 629754 Dreams Adozen 5 7-9 Charlie Johnston
37 5-2134 Comte De Loir 4 7-8 James Ferguson
38 3364-1 Trojan Storm 4 7-7 Ian Williams
39 4379/ Luttrell Lad 9 7-7 Tom Lacey
40 1560-8 Simiyann 5 7-6 Ian Williams
41 08-388 Gallant Lion 5 7-5 Ian Williams
42 1-3210 Dance Time 5 7-4 David Loughnane
43 2154-3 Tailorman 5 7-3 Ian Williams
44 2/6-62 Royal Deeside 5 7-2 Patrick Morris
