Shubaat, who only got into the StanJames.com Chester Cup as a reserve, is the new favourite for the prestigious handicap at a best price of 11/2.
Sponsors
Stan James have promised to offer the best price about every runner and they have matched the odds being offered by
BetVictor about the bottom weight.
Roger Varian’s gelding was only granted a run in the highlight on day one of the Chester May Meeting when Zuider Zee was withdrawn before the deadline.
Dominic Fox, a 3lb claiming apprentice, takes the ride on the lightly-raced five-year-old who made a winning seasonal debut at Musselburgh last month.
Punters have come for Shubaat because all his runs have been on easy ground and the going at Chester is expected to ride soft.
The other horse among the favourites that has been well supported is Gulf of Naples even though he has the worst of the draw in stall 19.
Mark Johnston’s runner is a progressive sort who scored comfortably at Ripon last time out and has been backed in to 13/2 with
Stan James and
BetVictor.
The original market leaders, last year’s winner Overturn and 2011 Cesarewitch hero Never Can Tell, have drifted on account of them preferring better ground.
Overturn is out to 7/1, while
Sportingbet have matched
Stan James in quoting 10/1 about Frankie Dettori’s mount Never Can Tell.
With 16 runners, the Chester Cup is ideal for each-way betting as four places are paid and of the outsiders, Ile De Re (12/1) and Eternal Heart (18/1) have been the subject of good support.
Latest odds on the StanJames.com Chester Cup
11/2 Shubaat – Dominic Fox
13/2 Gulf of Naples – Franny Norton
7/1 Overturn – Eddie Ahern
8/1 Harrison’s Cave – Ryan Moore
10/1 Never Can Tell – Frankie Dettori
12/1 Ile De Re – Jim Crowley
12/1 Tominator – Paul Pickard
18/1 Eternal Heart – Joe Fanning
20/1 Dazinski – Paul Mulrennan
22/1 Merchant of Dubai – Graeme Lee
28/1 Barbican – Darryll Holland
28/1 Kiama Bay – Tom Eaves
33/1 Ajaan – Tom Queally
50/1 Address Unknown – Steve Donohoe
50/1 Kazbow – Kieren Fallon
50/1 Mystery Star – Paul Hanagan
Zuider Zee – non-runner
Mount Athos – non-runner
