Quick Jack to go one better in Chester Cup Quick Jack, runner-up to subsequent Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris in the Betway Chester Cup last season, is set for the valuable staying handicap again. The seven-year-old, trained in County Meath by Tony Martin, is among 66 for extended two and a quarter mile feature on May 4. Quick Jack went straight on to lift the Galway Hurdle in late July and was third in the Cesarewitch back on the Flat at Newmarket in October. He had his first run since then when unplaced in a 10-furlong handicap at Cork last month. "He is all right, he ran at Cork last month where the ground was heavy. I'm quite happy with him and he'll definitely improve for the run," said Martin. "The intention is to run at Chester, it's only three weeks away. "It's an unusual track, it's tight but it's the same for everybody and it's important to get the run of the race, everything has to go right. Donald McCain has entered three horses and plans to run Sign Manual in a prep race to establish whether he will send him to the Chester Cup. "My other two entries are strong possibilities (Venue and William of Orange)," said the Cholmondeley handler, who has collected this coveted prize twice with Overturn in Ile De Re in 2011 and 2012. "If we decide to run Venue, we'll probably give him a run over hurdles and William of Orange would go straight there after a winter campaign also over hurdles." Richard Fahey is also a dual winner, being responsible for Greenwich Meantime in 2007 and Address Unknown three years ago. The Musley Bank handler hopes to be mob-handed as he goes in search of a third triumph. "I've entered six horses (Angel Gabrial, Duke of Clarence, Gabrial The Hero, English Summer, Gabrial's King (fourth in 2015) and Gabrial's Star (fifth in 2015) and they are all owned by Marwan Koukash," he said. " As you know he likes to have runners at Chester and we will be trying to win the race." There is a possibility of a royal runner as Newmarket-based trainer Michael Bell has entered The Queen's horse Fabricate. "He was a progressive stayer last year and is a stayer with a future," said Bell. "We've had a lot of luck at Chester over the years and it is a lovely track."
