Channon hoping Chester stays dry

Mick Channon is praying the rain stays away to boost the prospects of Misternando in tomorrow’s totesport Chester Cup.

The West Ilsley trainer is happy with the ground description of good to firm and does not want it to turn soft for the extended two-and-a-quarter-mile contest.

“That ground’s brilliant at the moment, but if it goes really soft then I don’t know if there’s any point running Misternando. He will go on soft ground, but I don’t know about it if it goes really soft.

“And he’s drawn off the track as well. I know people say it doesn’t mean a thing over two and a quarter miles, but it does round there.”

The young stayer was a revelation last season, winning 10 races, during which time he rose in the ratings from 48 to 94.

Channon has also declared Almazin and added: “He won’t mind whatever it is.”

A maximum 18 runners were declared at yesterday’s final 48-hour stage.

Of the 22 five-day entries, Savannah Bay and Zibeline were taken out, while the bottom two in the handicap, High Point and Sailor A’hoy, failed to make the cut.