Fortune's track record to pay in Cup

13 April 2012

When punting at Chester you need a horse with tactical speed and agility to negotiate its tight bends. You broadly need that horse to have an inside draw - keep your money pocketed if your selection is drawn wide in a sprint. You also need a jockey who knows how to play this odd little track to their advantage.

Step forward Jimmy Fortune. Now Robert Sangster's retained rider at Manton, he cut his teeth on the northern circuit. A win and two narrow seconds at this meeting last year only suggest how adept he is, horse willing, at being in the right place at the right time at this track. Other jockeys to side with at Chester are Kieren Fallon and Kevin Darley.

But Fortune has the best foil in tomorrow's feature event, the Tote Chester Cup, in Paul Cole's old stager, Yorkshire. Lightly raced in recent years, this smart stayer showed he retains his ability with two good seconds already this term. He made a belated seasonal debut after missing 1999 over this course and distance last August when beaten little more than three lengths by Fantasy Hill.

That horse was previously an unlucky third in last year's Chester Cup on a 6lb lower mark. That run gives Yorkshire the edge on last year's narrow runner-up, Ansar, particularly as he has been dropped 6lb since. A true stayer, he has pace enough to run well in smart company over 12 furlongs and his stall one draw will enable Fortune to make best use of him.

This race last year was dominated by lightly-weighted four-year-olds and a host of likely types in 2001 is headed by the Martin Pipe-trained Guard Duty. He won a shade cosily at Kemp-ton last time following a profitable season over hurdles. He has shown little of the temperament that marked him out as ungenuine last year.

Even from 2lb out of the handicap - counting top apprentice Jamie Mackay's 5lb claim - he looms as a big danger to the selection. His tendency to run in snatches may be his only shortcoming here.

Coco Loco and Distant Prospect both notched up a hat-trick when tried over extended trips in testing ground towards the back end of last term, but may not be so effective on this faster surface. Quedex can also go well on his preferred ground.

In the Shadwell Stud Oaks Trial, four of the seven fillies are entered for next month's Epsom Classic - Gay Heroine, Inchiri, Rockerlong and Zaheemah. Sir Michael Stoute has an excellent record in this event, so once-raced Gay Heroine is respected. But, after disappointing in tacky ground at Newbury, Rocker-long should be given another chance. Ameerat's 1,000 Guineas triumph boosted their Rockfel form.

The opening Tess Graham Memorial Handicap can go to the well-drawn Double Fantasy, who is slipping down the weights for David Nicholls. He ran well over six furlongs last time. Alan Berry's yard is red hot at the moment, but Baron Crocodile's tendency to dwell at the kick is off-putting.

Aguila Loca has both a plum draw and the experience to take advantage of it in the Bank Of Scotland Maiden Stakes and must go close. He has come on for his disappointing Brocklesby run, but Keep The Silver was well ahead and not knocked about that day.

Chester selections: 2.10, Double Fantasy; 2.40, Keep The Silver; 3.10, Yorkshire (nap); 3.40, Rockerlong (nb); 4.15, Maid For Freedom; 4.45, Tomasino.

MORE ABOUT

Apprentices

Fortune's track record to pay in Cup

Read More