Ansar on course for Chester bid

Ansar, an unlucky loser when going down by the minimum margin to Bangalore in last year`s Tote Chester Cup, has been set 8st 2lb to carry in his bid to go one place better in this year`s running of the stg£100,000 contest.

The Barry Hills-trained Rainbow High - who finished fifth last year when carrying 9st 13lb - has been allotted exactly the same weight for this year`s race, run over two miles and two furlongs at the Roodeye.

Other interesting entries in the race are Martin Pipe`s Guard Duty (7st 3lb), the winner of the Queen`s Prize at Kempton earlier this month, and Charlie Egerton`s useful hurdlers Seixo Branco (7st 5lb) and Dance Director (7st 12lb).

Roy David, racing manager to Ansar`s owner Michael Watt, said this afternoon: 'Chester is his initial target. He had a run at the Curragh on Sunday when fifth over 10 furlongs and the ground was much too heavy for him. He`s a good-ground horse.

'He`s wintered very well and aiming to go one better. That short head defeat last year was a bit of a blow as Michael loves to win staying races.'

Ansar is trained in Ireland by Dermot Weld and under present restrictions caused by the foot and mouth epidemic, would not be allowed to return home.

'If that`s the case he`ll have to stay over here. We`ll sort that out. I`m sure we`ll have no problem finding one of our trainers in England to take the horse,' David said.

Watt`s two trainers in this country are John Dunlop and Amanda Perrett, who ironically sent out Bangalore to foil Ansar last year.

Ansar would then try to earn his corn by running in other staying races.

'I`m sure he would find his own races if he stays over here like the Ascot Stakes or something at Royal Ascot or the Pitman`s Derby again,' David added.

'He disappointed in that last year, but he was a little bit over the top by then.

'I think he`s improved over the winter. Dermot is very pleased with him. He`s strengthened up nicely.'

David also revealed that Watt`s San Sebastian, trained by John Dunlop, was set to reappear in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot next Wednesday.

'He`s in great order apparently and runs in the Sagaro,' he said.

'He`s done really well over the winter and he`s been a great old servant for us.'

San Sebastian won the Prix du Cadran last year and was second in the Prix Royal Oak.

'He goes for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot again. I think he might have been third last year if hadn`t have been knocked sideways by Kayf Tara. We wouldn`t have won it but it would have been nice to see him third.'