Equinties - Chester day 3

Gm Equinauts

What. A. Stat.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUND UP

CHESTER DAY 2 REVIEW

That above stat is a pretty incredible one regarding when Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore turn up at Chester. Coming into this week, the pair had partnered up for 33 winners from 54 runners since 2010, putting them in profit by £44.50 to a £1 level stake. To reiterate, that was BEFORE this week, and they’ve gone and smashed in four winners at the top level since:

Of course, one has to take into account the level of opposition they usually take on at this early-season Chester meeting, but still, it’s worth remembering this stat for the next few years.

Anyway, the pair bagged a quick-fire double yesterday in the big Group races, starting with MOUNT KILIMANJARO in the Group 3 Dee Stakes.

This one really does go out to Ryan Moore, because he was excellent in the saddle. It’s not easy to sit off the pace at Chester when the ground is decent, because one wrong move and you could lose the race there and then.

Moore realised early that the pace was strong, and he was happy to let the prominent horses go before making his move. He left it late, and backers were probably watching from behind the sofa with half a furlong to go, but he got there, and that’s testament to how beautiful Moore is at timing.

Of course, the horse played his part as he had to battle as well, and he showed himself to be a dour stayer when it mattered. Could he be another potential Coolmore Leger type?

On his future, Paul Smith said: “A Derby of some sorts – the Epsom Derby or French Derby – are options for him, and we'll see how the trials go and where they'll all go."
With THE LION IN WINTER and potentially LAMBOURN for Epsom, could they go to France with MOUNT KILIMANJARO?

As for their other winner, ILLINOIS duly obliged in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes.

It was all a bit easy for him in the end, even if he didn’t necessarily power away from the field in the final half a furlong. To do that fto was impressive, and he has a number of options going forward.

Smith said: “That was very pleasing. He's a big, fine, strong animal so he will improve for the run.

“He's very versatile. We've just been talking to Aidan and you could drop him back in trip for the Coronation Cup or you could step him up to Cup races. He'd do whatever you want for you."

It may be fair to say they haven’t got to the bottom of him yet. He is a fine beast, and he could well improve now he is a four-year-old with that extra experience in the belt. Watch this space.

THE GIRLS

Remember ZANZOUN? Ha! She only won the Nell Gwyn last month but with the flat already fulyly into gear, it almost feels like last year! If you can recall, connections mentioned the French 1000 Guineas for her in the aftermath as she wasn’t entered for the English equivalent.

Well, she will miss this weekend’s contest due to a minor setback.

Thady Gosden said: "It's frustrating of course but unfortunately she was off behind this morning, pre-declarations, and so naturally she won't be able to travel over. We'll know more in the coming days but hopefully it's nothing too serious."

This is a shame as she looked rather good in the Nell Gwyn, and one can imagine that she will relish stepping up in trip in time.

Still, the French 1000 Guineas had the likes of BEDTIME STORY, ZARIGANA, DAYLIGHT, HEAVENS GATE, MANDANABA, EXACTLY, and, notably, SHES PERFECT for Charlie Fellowes and social media’s ‘honest punter’ Basher Watts.

With the news regarding Kieran Shoemark and the Gosden’s announced earlier in the week, Watts was able to confirm that he maintains faith in recently axed rider Shoemark who Watts calls ‘King Shoey’ and will keep the ride onboard his SIOUX NATION filly.

The syndicate-owned three-year-old has just a neck to find with ZARIGANA (the ante-post favourite) based on her run in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte.

Best of luck to them! However she runs, what a weekend it will be for that lot.

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