Raucous misses Cup cut
Leading totesport Chester Cup candidate Raucous has missed the cut for the big handicap on Wednesday.
Tom Tate’s lightly-raced gelding was an impressive winner at Ripon last time, for which he was given a 3lb penalty, and was trading at a general 7-1 third favourite behind Galient.
But this was not enough to see him into the final field of 18, and he is only second reserve, behind first reserve Stoop To Conquer.
Others not sufficiently high enough in the weights to make the line-up were Alrida, Establishment, Trance and Mind How You Go.
However, there were no such problems for the Michael Jarvis-trained Galient, third in the Queen’s Prize on his reappearance and set to carry 9st 1lb.
There is plenty of form from last year’s renewal, with Tim Pitt declaring the winner Admiral, while the third, fourth and fifth, Greenwich Meantime, Dancing Bay and Winged D’Argent also head to the Roodee.
Dancing Bay, a fairly rare Flat runner for trainer Nicky Henderson, will be carrying top weight of 9st 10lb.
Tate was not too downcast after Raucous found himself too low in the weights and will rely instead on Dr Sharp.
“It’s a shame, but there’s not much you can do about it really. You never know, he might get in yet. Otherwise, he might go to York next week instead,” Tate said.
Dr Sharp has finished 10th and 11th in the last two renewals of the Chester Cup and was ninth on his seasonal reappearance in the Ripon race won by Raucous.
Also a winner at the track, Tate added: “It might be third time lucky. If there was a bit of rain he should run well, as he found it a bit fast last time.”
Sponsors totesport have cut Aidan O’Brien’s Grafton Street to 9-2 joint-favourite (from 13-2) after he was handed a good draw.
The four-year-old, who opened his account in a mile-and-a-half handicap at the Curragh last month, will race from stall seven.
However, the draw has not been that kind to the heavily-backed Galient. He is out to 9-2 from 4-1 after being drawn 17.
Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: “The totesport Chester Cup draw has been kind to Grafton Street’s supporters, but those who have lumped on Galient will not be happy to see him drawn out wide in stall 17.
“Grafton Street was a 9-1 shot on Saturday but has been heavily backed and is now our 9-2 joint favourite. If he stays the trip he will be the one they all have to beat.
“Last year’s winner Admiral has another excellent draw in stall four and connections will be hoping he can make all again. He is 9-1 from 10-1 but may not have such an easy time of it out in front this year.”
Totesport Chester Cup, sponsors bet:
9-2 Galient, Grafton Street, 9-1 Admiral, 12-1 Greenwich Meantime, 14-1 Afrad, Fair Along, Som Tala, Under The Rainbow, Whispering Death, 16-1 Flare Star, Odiham, Winged D’Argent, 20-1 bar.
