Chorley aimed at York pot

Hat-trick scorer Ben Chorley is set to face the biggest test of his career in the John Smith’s Cup at York on Saturday week.

The grey gelding has won all his three starts this season culminating in a solid success at Ripon over nine furlongs two weeks ago.

Now connections are aiming him at the 49th renewal of the £150,000 Heritage Handicap.

Trainer David Lanigan said: “The plan is to head to York with Ben Chorley and just see how much he has progressed. He has done everything that has been asked of him so far.

“Ours will be lining up against some horses with ’black type’ form and he’ll have to improve. But he’ll get into the race off a good weight and has every right to take his chance.

“Depending on what he does there, we can make other plans for him. We’ll know exactly where we are with him after the race.

“But whatever he does, he has been a grand servant to us this season,” he told his official website, www.laniganracing.co.uk.

Ben Chorley incurred a 5lb penalty for his latest victory taking his weight up to 8st 6lb for the prestigious contest over an extended 10 furlongs.