Racing betting: Silver Concorde can strike gold at Chester
Much has been made over the years of the importance of a low draw in Wednesday’s Betway Chester Cup (3.10pm).
Only seven times in the last 20 years has the winner been berthed in a double-figure stall, with five of the last seven winners drawn in stall five or below.
It’s certainly not impossible to win from a wide draw, as Trip To Paris proved last year from stall 11, but it’s most definitely a disadvantage around such a tight track.
Last year’s runner-up Quick Jack may well have the assistance of Ryan Moore in the saddle, but will need plenty of luck breaking from one of the worst draws of all in 16.
On the other hand, ante-post favourite Steve Rogers has landed a peach of a gate in three and will be a tough nut to crack.
The five-year-old ran out a facile winner of his prep race for this at Kempton last month and proved this track holds no fears by winning here last August.
The only real negative about Roger Varian’s charge is his price, as the quotes of 8/1 available a few days ago are long gone with Betway’s 7/2 the best out there.
That seems plenty short enough in a fiercely competitive handicap and I’m prepared to take a chance on a couple at bigger prices.
SILVER CONCORDE hasn’t been seen since bombing out over hurdles in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Nothing went right for him there as he lost a shoe, and his action, early on and jockey Davy Russell wasn’t hard on him when his chance had gone.
He is much better judged on his win in the November Handicap at Leopardstown last October, not to mention his win in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham two years ago.
My selection is lightly-raced, most definitely fragile, but he could still be well handicapped and is a threat on a sound surface.
At 9/1, he looks decent each-way material and it would be no surprise to see him follow in the hoofprints of Trip To Paris and be aimed at the Ascot Gold Cup.
At a much bigger price, I’m also prepared to take a chance on last year’s sixth JOHN REEL who lines up this afternoon from a 1lb lower mark.
There won’t be a fitter horse in the marathon contest with four runs under his belt this campaign already and with his stable in rude health he can outrun his 20/1 price tag.
Incidentally, sponsors Betway are offering you money back (up to £25) if you finish second in the race.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien saddled an impressive 1-2-3 in Sunday’s 1000 Guineas and can keep up his good form with three-year-old fillies by landing the Cheshire Oaks (2.40pm) with SOMEHOW.
The daughter of Fastnet Rock, out of Oaks winner Alexandrova, was an impressive winner of her maiden at the beginning of last month and will be hard to beat here.
O’Brien has won four of the last eight renewals of this Listed contest and was beaten a short-head on another occasion.
Diamonds Pour Moi won her maiden at Kempton in November, while Pursuitofthestars will have to step up dramatically on what she has shown on the racecourse to date.
Somehow is available at 11/10 with Betway and can take this on her way to better things.
Pointers
Somehow 2.40pm Chester
Silver Concorde e/w 3.10pm Chester
John Reel e/w 3.10pm Chester