The Chester Cup, one of the richest flat handicaps of the season, will take place on Wednesday 10th May (Chester Racecourse). Our ante-post market is already live, so let’s take a look at some of the leading contenders…
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Age: 4 (Foaled April 3rd, 2013)
Sex: Bay Gelding
Breeding: New Approach (IRE) – Tanzania (USA) (Darshaan)
Trainer: S bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin
He’s won 3 of his 8 races and was too good for First Mohican, at Newcastle in December. Last seen at Lingfield, where he earned connections a bumper payday, landing the All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes at the expense of Watersmeet.
Sea Of Heaven (IRE)
Age: 5 (Foaled April 26th, 2012)
Sex: Bay Gelding
Breeding: Sea The Stars (IRE) – Maid Of Killeen (IRE) (Darshaan)
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott
Owner: Lady Bamford
No wins for over 9 months and failed to impress, when 5th in Listed company at Chester. Gave a much better account of himself, in the Cesarewitch, finishing 3rd despite taking a keen hold at the start.
Natural Scenery
Age: 4 (Foaled February 10th, 2013)
Sex: Bay Filly
Breeding: Dubawi (IRE) – Argentina (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells (USA))
Trainer: S bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin
The 4-year-old began the year with a brace of victories, under the brilliant Josephine Gordon, both of which came at Newcastle. 6th in the All-Weather Marathon Championships Conditions Stakes and connections and was given every chance by David Probert so better is needed from Saeed bin Suroor’s charge if he is going to win this race.
Many other horses are quietly-fancied, including Golden Spear, Galapiat, Endless Acres, Silver Concorde and Red Galileo.
Racing At Chester
While Great Britain is home to many historic racecourses, none are as old as Chester (affectionately known as the Roodee). This course is so ancient that racing can be traced back to Tudor times, in the early part of the 16th-Century. Chester is a very small course and the length of the entire track is just one mile.
It is also extremely compact, nestling on just 65 acres of land. Many British racecourses occupy 4 times as much real estate. Chester Racecourse is situated on the banks of the River Dee, on a site that was formerly a Roman harbour. The Romans abandoned it when the river became too full of silt, which made navigation by boat impossible.
Watch For Free!
One side of Chester Racecourse (the east) abuts the ancient city walls. These walls were formerly used for mooring. Nowadays, spectators can sit on these walls and watch the racing for free if they do not wish to enter the racecourse and pay. This is just one of several free vantage points that you can take advantage of, but most choose to spend the day at the racecourse.
The north of Chester Racecourse is bordered by a very long railway bridge which carries North Wales Coast Line trains over the river. The racecourse is overlooked from the other side of the river by the Curzon Park Mansions. These dominate the skyline when you look from any of the three grandstands.
The Goteddsday Match
There used to be a famous and very violent football game held at Chester Racecourse. It was called the Goteddsday football match. The game was very dangerous and, in the early 1500s, banned by the city lawmakers and replaced with horse racing.
The first official race took place on 9th February 1539. Races originally were held on Goteddsday (which we know today as Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Day) until the early Seventeenth Century. Later, the date was moved to St George’s Day. In 1766 the famous May Festival was created. Around 60 years later, the Tradesmen’s Cup Race was run for the first time. It was this race that went on to become the Chester Cup.
Reconstruction
Back then, there was no grandstand or any real facilities for spectators. This did not stop the races at Chester being very popular. A main stand was built in the early 1800s. It lasted for about 80 years, before it got destroyed by a huge fire. Nowadays, Chester is regarded as a superb racing venue, which combines a real sense of history with modern facilities.
Good luck, if you are having a bet on the Chester Cup!
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