Orcadian´s Chester Run Hinges On Ground

Orcadian is unlikely to take his chance in Friday´s Blue Square Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

The six-year-old finished a half-length second behind The Whistling Teal in last year´s renewal of the Group Three contest, despite virtually pulling himself up half a mile from home.

Orcadian then went on to finish third in the Emirates Yorkshire Cup just seven days later and trainer James Eustace has his eyes set on the York prize this time.

'Chester wouldn´t be Plan A for him at this stage,' he said.

'We wanted to run him in the Jockey Club Stakes (at Newmarket) but the ground was wrong and we´re now aiming for the Yorkshire Cup with him.

'We have put him in at Chester just in the case the ground looks like being right for him there and wrong at York but the Huxley would be Plan B.'

Orcadian has a reputation as something of a quirky performer but has still managed to win five of his 31 starts, including the Group Three St Simon Stakes in 2004.

Eustace has kept the Kirkwall gelding busy over hurdles during the winter and he believes the switch of codes has improved Orcadian´s outlook.

'I have never seen a horse pull himself up, start again and then come so close to winning like he did at Chester last year,' he said.

'He is a bit of a character rather than an out-and-out rogue and he´s not ungenuine.

'I think jumping over the winter has really helped him and I was delighted with his run at Aintree (sixth) last time.

'He had a lot of weight and the ground wasn´t ideal but he ran so well.'

(C) PA Sport