James Owen claims the Chester Cup

James Owen once again proved he is one of the best dual purpose trainers in the business with his high-class hurdler East India Dock winning the Chester Cup on the final day of their May meeting. Rated 147 over timber following a couple of Grade 2 victories before being placed in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Golden Horn gelding took advantage of a lenient looking rating of 87 on the level. Despite pushed along before the home turn, Harry Davies' mount responded generously before hitting the front inside the final furlong. A length winner, Owen suggested it was his biggest win to date even though Wimbledon Hawkeye gained a Group 2 win last Autumn. The 0-100 Ascot Stakes over two and a half miles at the Royal meeting (17th June) is likely to be the four year old's next target. The head of Green Ridge Stables is already responsible for 42 winners on the Flat in 2025 and very much on course to better last season's personal best 63 winners.

Value Racing Club continue to churm out winners like it is going out of fashion with Howth (100/30) supplying the syndicate with their third victory of the week. The six year old, who is rated 81 on the Flat, was having his first start for Tom Lacey and his initial outing over hurdles in the two miles maiden hurdle at Market Rasen on Friday. The gelded son of Churchill was handy from the offset and wasn't hard pressed to fend off the challenge of the warm favourite All Well And Good to score readily by a length and three quarters.