CHESTER 15:35

All 17 ran.

Time: 4m 3.37s Closing Sectional: (2f): 25s (104.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 126%, Betfair SP 102.8%

One of the big staying handicaps of the season and, given the prestige and prize money, it's no surprise that year-in-year-out the Chester Cup fills up to a maximum field of 17; so many runners at this track inevitably means that it's a race that will be heavily influenced by the draw and race position, however, and this year was no different, the majority of those down the field having an excuse of sorts, with a modest pace making it very hard to get involved from towards the rear, the principals always in the first half of the field, whilst first and second could take the short route from stalls 2 and 3.

MONTALY has threatened a big handicap win for some time and landed this valuable prize with a career-best effort after 6 months off, helped by the draw and a good ride, Murphy's positivity ensuring that he got the gaps without losing momentum; in touch, pushed along over 2f out, had to pick way through over 1f out and stayed on to lead close home; he should remain competitive in similar events from slightly higher marks.

YORKIDDING has started the year well, 2 good placed efforts, particularly this, better than ever in form terms and confirming her stamina for a marathon trip (seemed to stay in the Cesarewitch last year but was ridden to do so); led 3f, remained prominent, led again inside final 1f, kept on, headed close home; she's very tough.

FUN MAC (GER) never really fired last season, certainly not like the year before, but was back to something like his best after 7 months off, faring best of those from double-figure draws; broke well and soon chased leaders without being trapped too wide, outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, edged left, kept on.

WHO DARES WINS (IRE) is fit from hurdling, an excellent third in the Coral Cup when last seen, and shaped well back in this sphere, unlucky not to go very close; mid-division, ridden 3f out, keeping on when not clear run inside final 1f, switched and stayed on, nearest at the finish; he's unexposed as a stayer on the Flat and has a big handicap at 2m+ in him.

MAGIC CIRCLE (IRE) caught the eye, looking ahead of his mark, doing very well under the circumstances; poorly drawn, held up, headway when came wide home turn, stayed on well but had a hopeless task from position, deserving plenty of credit for getting so close; he's one to look out for.

WATERSMEET remains in good form, not far below his best, but had the ideal trip and was stretched by the 3f longer trip; prominent, travelled strongly, led over 2f out, headed inside final 1f, faltered, outstayed; best up to 2m.

SIR CHAUVELIN shaped as if still in good form, catching the eye in fact with how fast he finished; raced well off the pace, effort when denied a run home turn, ran on late, making up a lot of ground but had a hopeless task from position.

ANGEL GABRIAL (IRE) ran respectably, the effort of working hard to get across from the worst of the draw perhaps taking its toll in the end, but was allowed to dictate once there; broke well, led after 3f, headed over 2f out, no extra final 1f.

SUEGIOO (FR) ended up running creditably but, like so often these days, he took little interest in last place after missing the break and merely passed beaten horses in the straight; he's best treated with caution.

NAKEETA should strip fitter for the run after 6 months off and wasn't seen to best effect, anyway; held up, raced freely, effort over 2f out, never on terms but wasn't given anything like a hard time.

FIRST MOHICAN is better judged on previous form; poorly drawn, slowly into stride, raced wide, settled mid-field before halfway, outpaced over 2f out, dropped away.

BLAKENEY POINT possibly didn't get home over this 3f longer trip for all that the distance beaten was exagerated by him being hampered/eased; tracked pace, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, held when hampered entering final 1f, eased off.

DUKE OF CLARENCE (IRE) shaped as if retaining all ability on first outing since leaving Richard Fahey after 12 months off; poorly drawn and raced very wide, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out as his covering extra ground told.

GOLDEN SPEAR fit from jumps, can have a line put through this run, mid-division early but shuffled back around halfway and never on terms, not given anything like a hard time.

GOOD TRADITION (IRE) fit from jumps, was well held on his first Flat start for current connections; mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, weakened.

THE CASHEL MAN (IRE) after 7 months off, seemed unsuited by the track, on the back foot straight away with a slow start, forced wide on the home turn and making no impression.

SEA OF HEAVEN (IRE) after 7 months off, had little go right in the race and is best excused the run; poorly drawn, raced off the pace, effort 3f out, ran very wide home turn, soon beaten and heavily eased off, saving him for another day.