led, headed 4f out, weakened rapidly and virtually pulled up 3f out, tailed off
tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when beaten inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed laong opver 2f out, weakened entering final 2f
always towards rear, never on terms, eased when no chance final furlong
tracked leaders in good position on inside, went 2nd 3f out, chased winner 2f out until ridden 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, closer order into mid-division 8f out, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
in touch in 7th, not clear run and switched right over 3f out, chased leading pair inside final 2f, ridden and went 2nd 1f out, closing and challenging when carried badly right inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
reluctant to go in stalls, slowly into stride, always towards rear, never dangerous
held up in mid-division, headway on wide outside and driven well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, no impression on leading duo
held up towards rear, short-lived effort on wide outside over 2f out, never involved
always towards rear and never a factor
mid-division, pushed along and one pace over 2f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, rapid headway on wide outside 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, ridden 2 lengths clear over 1f out, strongly pressed when hung badly right under pressure inside final furlong, headed close home
close 5th, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Arguably not the best Chester Cup in terms quality but still traditionally competitive. History reveals those drawn wide are generally disadvantaged despite the staying trip which makes life potentially tough for the likes of White Nile, Shwaiman and Clowance Estate. MUBARAZA failed to score last term but remained very competitive in high-class staying handicaps such as the Ascot Stakes and Northumberland Plate, placing in both. He looks a major player here from stall five and should give his supporters a good run with the in-form Paul Hanagan aboard. Suegioo is another consistent gelding who failed to win last term whilst running well and he could be a danger to all if staying the trip, having yet to travel further than 1m6f. Angel Gabrial is very closely handicapped with Mubaraza on latest Ripon running and should stay the extra 2f whilst not being too badly drawn in 11. He certainly makes the shortlist for an owner that just loves to have winners here. Montaser and Glenard, who bookend the handicap, are others of note although the latter is not well drawn.
Montaser (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon tracking ledaers, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Tac De Boistron (9-1) at Chester 1m 4f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Sep.
Clowance Estate (IRE) 9-2 (9-10) In touch towards rear, switched to wide outside over 6f out, headway to press leader over 4f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Seaside Sizzler (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Duke Of Clarence (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway over 4f out to chase leaders, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Sizzler (8-13) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in Oct.
Golden Bowl (FR) 11-1 (8-11) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3f out, lost place 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 18l behind Battalion (9-0) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-112 (2) gd in Apr.
Open Eagle (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Chased leader, led 9f out, ridden and headed approaching final 2f, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 23l behind I'm Fraam Govan (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Body Language (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden and no impression over 2f out until ran on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Caucus (9-6) at Newmarket 2m Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Sep.
Mubaraza (IRE) 17-2 (9-9) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and hard pressed inside final furlong, headed narrowly near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Angel Gabrial (9-3) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Shwaiman (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Very slowly away in rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Seaside Sizzler (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Suegioo (FR) 9-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, switched outside 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, never reached front pair, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Battalion (9-0) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-112 (2) gd in Apr.
Mawaqeet (USA) 10-1 (9-11) Reluctant and soon pushed along in rear, moderate progress final furlong, 7th of 9, 8l behind Aquilonius (8-9) at Goodwood 2m hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Communicator 8-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Litigant (9-5) at Lingfield 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
White Nile (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Seaside Sizzler (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Waterclock (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 33, 3l behind Scatter Dice (8-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Gabrial's King (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, effort between horses over 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 9l behind Flying Officer (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Apr.
Angel Gabrial (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, kept on, led narrowly near finish, won at Ripon 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr beating Mubaraza (9-9) by nk, 13 ran.
Brockwell 9-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 6l behind White Nile (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Glenard 3-1 (8-11) In rear, switched left over 2f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 10, 2l behind Castilo Del Diablo (9-2) at Kempton 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Mar.
