188 Bet 2018 Chester Cup Odds and Predictions – Horse Racing Betting May 11

Improving Time To Study could outclass Chester Cup rivals

Horse Racing Betting

Running rings around the Roodee isn’t to everyone’s taste. Jockeys and their mounts could be excused for being a little dizzy at the end of more than 2m2f of Chester’s almost circular course but clear heads are needed throughout in a race in which position is important as pace – it’s fair to say more than one renewal of the Chester Cup has been lost because fancied horses were in the wrong place at the wrong time when push came to shove.

Chester Cup History and Trends

The Chester Cup is a handicap run at Chester over 2m2f and 97 yards and is open to horses aged four years or older.

Established in 1824, it is one of the oldest races in the UK racing calendar. Though a flat race, smart hurdlers have been successful including Overturn and Sea Pigeon and runners from National Hunt or dual purpose yards are always worth a second look. Top Cees won the race in 1995 and 1997 and Anak Pekan won consecutive contests in 2004 and 2005.

  • There has only been one winner aged eight or older in the last 16 sixteen years, which is a mark against Saigon City and Silver Concorde.
  • Whatever the distance at Chester, the draw is a huge factor. Since 2001, 11 of the Chester Cup winners have been drawn seven or lower.
  • Runners officially rated between 93 and 100 have an impressive recent strike-rate.
  • The last six winners have all started at double-figure odds and only two favourites have won since 2002.

There is a huge question mark over whether Dubawi Fifty, last year’s sixth Watersmeet and Cayirli are as effective on Turf as on the all-weather but there is evidence to suggest a switch back to grass won’t inconvenience Stargazer (a general 7/1). Philip Kirby’s was unlucky to get disqualified last time at Newcastle but his stamina will be under scrutiny over today’s distance.

Fun Mac, Who Dares Wins and Magic Circle were third, fourth and fifth respectively last year. The former and the latter are much better drawn this year and both warrant respect at 20/1 and 8/1 with Sportingbet but Alan King’s stayer (a general 8/1) has been allotted stall 15 and may again struggle to grab a decent position in the early stages.

TIME TO STUDY probably has a few more pounds that is ideal but Mark Johnston will not be unhappy with stall seven for his improving four-year-old. No-one rides Chester better than Franny Norton, though he’s never won the Chester Cup. His mount was unlucky not to catch Brandon Castle on his reappearance at Musselburgh and than came up against an in-form Torcedor in the Sagaro Stakes earlier this month. Due to be raised a further 3lb from next week, he looks like a group horse running in a handicap and the 12/1 with Sportingbet is simply too big.

188 Bet Chester Cup Current Best Odd

Stargazer 7/1, Magic Circle and Who Dares Wins 8/1, Dubawi Fifty 10/1, Time To Study 12/1, Nakeeta 14/1, Grandee, Prince Of Arran, Silver Concorde, Watersmeet, Cayirli and My Reward 16/1, Fun Mac, Saigon City and Jukebox Jive 20/1, Vent De Force and Shadow Sadness 40/1