Favourite Mamlook won the Chester Cup for trainer David Pipe after edging out Tastahil in a thrilling photo finish. The high-class hurdler, a 7-1 chance, showed his class on the Flat with victory by a head in the staying handicap for rider Richard Hughes. Earlier, Gertrude Bell landed the Cheshire Oaks under William Buick. The 5-2 favourite, owned and bred by the trainer John Gosden's wife Rachel, won from heavily-backed Acquainted (8-1) with ChampagneLifestyle third. Gertrude Bell's odds for the Investec Oaks at Epsom in June were cut from about 33-1 to 20s. The filly is named after the archaeologist and writer who played a leading role in establishing the modern state of Iraq.  | 606: DEBATE |
Manchester United striker Michael Owen was out of luck in the Chester Cup with Nemo Spirit, the horse he part-owns. But the stable owned by Owen made a winning start to the meeting thanks to 12-1 shot Julius Geezer, ridden by Richard Kingscote for trainer Tom Dascombe. He saw off all-comers in the Manor House Stables Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes, a race sponsored by Owen's yard. The Chester Cup is the feature race on the opening day of a meeting, which traditionally welcomes more than 60,000 racegoers over three days, including a party of Manchester United footballers.  Man Utd players Nani and John O'Shea celebrate a winner |
Barry Hills was denied a fifth victory in Wednesday's feature race, with 22-1 outsider Tastahil, as dual-purpose performer Mamlook swooped for glory on the Roodee. Hughes had recommended the race to trainer Pipe after the pair finished strongly for second in the Cesarewitch last year. Winning owner Peter Deal, whose colours have been carried over jumps by the likes of 1997 Champion Hurdle winner Make A Stand, said: "He's an absolutely wonderful horse to have. "I've always wanted a proper dual-purpose horse and this is the fellow."
Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks 1 Gertrude Bell (John Gosden) William Buick 5-2 fav
2 Acquainted 8-1
3 Champagnelifestyle 11-2
7 ran Dist: ¾, hd Totesport.com Chester Cup 2m 2f 147yds 1 Mamlook (David Pipe) Richard Hughes 7-1 fav
2 Tastahil 22-1
3 Halla San 9-1
4 Majestic Concorde 14-1
17 ran. hd, ¾, shd
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?