Draw unkind to Chester Cup fancies but Mamlook handed perfect stall

The six-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic season over obstacles, winning a valuable Grade Two handicap hurdle at Ascot as well as being placed in the Elite Hurdle and totesport Trophy.

He has shown he is equally capable on the level with placed efforts in the past two renewals of the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and his trainer is bullish about his chances in today's marathon contest round the Roodee. "He's been fantastic for us and while he's been on the go a long time, he seems in great form at home," said Pipe. "Richard Hughes thought this track would suit him so we're looking forward to it and his price (9-1] tells you that he has a good chance of being in the first three.

"We've got a good draw (stall five] and the ground is drying out all the time which should suit, so we'll see what happens."

While Mamlook has fared well in the draw, some of his chief rivals have had their chances severely dented by picking up much wider starting berths, forcing Ladbrokes to price up six horses as co-favourites at 9-1 the field.

Bernie The Bolt has been the leading fancy for the race for some time but having been drawn in stall 15, trainer Andrew Balding is downbeat about his chances. "The draw is obviously not a help and it's certainly going to make life very hard for him," said Balding. "He's in good order and stays well, but it's a big ask from out there."

It is a similar story for the Barry Hills-trained top-weight Tastahil, who will break from stall 16 as he bids to follow in the hoofprints of last year's winner and stablemate Daraahem. Hills' son and assistant Charlie said: "He's obviously got plenty of weight and a terrible draw as well. We're very happy with him at home but he has got a very tough task being drawn out where he is."

Evan Williams also believes Fiulin would have held serious claims had he not been handed a grim draw in stall 17. "I'd fancy him like mad if he had a better draw. Hopefully he'll run a nice race," said Williams.

Richard Fahey is hopeful Halla San can make it third-time lucky. The eight-year-old finished tenth in the historic staying handicap in 2008, but put up a fine performance to claim third 12 months ago off a 2lb lower mark than which he runs off this time.

He has shown up well to finish third at Nottingham and Ripon on his last couple of appearances and Fahey, who won the Chester Cup with Greenwich Meantime in 2007, feels those runs have left him spot-on for this latest assignment.

"He ran well off a similar mark last year and while it's over two miles and two furlongs, the draw is vital, so we're happy with stall six," said Fahey. "I'm hoping he'll get the trip well, as a lot of them don't, and we've been very pleased with his last couple of runs."

Meanwhile, David Evans nominated Bathwick Bear as the pick of his three runners in the opening Manor House Stables Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes. "Bathwick Bear has got the form and if he goes around the track he should win," said Evans.

It was hard not to have been impressed with Gertrude Bell's comeback victory at Newbury and John Gosden's filly is fancied to take the step up to Listed company in her stride in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks.

Look Busy is napped to win the Clatterbridge Cancer Research Handicap.