Fantasy takes Chester Cup

Traffic problems stopped Pat Eddery getting to the course in time for the first race but the veteran jockey had no trouble getting a clear passage on rejuvenated Fantasy Hill who cruised home in the Tote Chester Cup today.

His mount had been out of luck round the tight turns in the Stg#100,000 handicap two years ago, beaten little over a length into third place from a wide draw.

But there was no such trouble in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest this time for the six-year-old, who had been nursed back to health by trainer John Dunlop after missing all of last season due to leg trouble.

Always travelling strongly behind pace-setting Alberich and Darasim, the 8-1 shot found a wide gap open for him rounding the home turn and bounded into the lead.

Valiantly though 1999 and 2001 winner Rainbow High rallied, the 6-1 joint favourite could not make it a record third triumph and had to settle for second, two lengths adrift.

Last year`s second High And Mighty (12-1) was third, with Riyadh fourth in a race run in course-record time. But the gamble of running Gold Cup-winning Royal Rebel failed to pay off as he trailed in 15th.

Eddery, who was second in the Chester Cup back in 1971 and won it on Grey Salute in 1989, was delighted that everything had gone so smoothly.

'He travelled really great all the way,' said the jockey. 'He was unlucky two years ago as he had a bad draw and never got a run.

'But it was very smooth today and he quickened up well - it was never in any doubt!'

The 11-time former champion jockey, now just 15 winners behind second-placed Lester Piggott in the all-time list of British riders, turned 50 last March but has no thoughts of quitting.

He said: 'I am not thinking of retiring - I just bought a new pair of boots!

'I have got two good stables to ride for in John Dunlop and Brian Meehan and they have got a lot of good horses. Mr Dunlop has been very supportive and as long as he keeps putting me up I will keep going.'

Major Dick Hern and Willie Carson, who landed so many memorable successes together over three decades as trainer and jockey, teamed up for another big-race success.

Shadow Dancing, a filly they jointly bred, took the Victor Chandler Cheshire Oaks in impressive style under Martin Dwyer.

Dwyer seized the advantage turning into the home straight on the 9-4 joint-favourite and although Bright And Clear stayed on from off the pace to get within a length and a quarter of the winner, the result was never in much doubt.

Jimmy Fortune executed the copybook front running ride on Charley Bates to win the Bank of Scotland Handicap.

A late replacement for Frankie Dettori, who remains under the weather with a touch of `flu, Fortune kicked clear of his rivals on the home turn and quickly put the result beyond doubt.

Eased down at the line, the John Gosden-trained 6-1 chance still had three and a half lengths to spare over favourite Lingo at the finish with Muhareb a head further back in third.

Grey Pearl also made all the running to spring a 20-1 surprise in the Evelyn Delves Broughton Maiden Fillies` Stakes.