Galient can make light of poor draw

ANYONE who bets horses would admit the ability to accentuate the positive is always a handy weapon to have in one's armoury, so let's look on the bright side as far as this afternoon's Chester Cup is concerned.

Given that a low draw is much sought after in the marathon event, the news that Galient had been handed stall 17 of the 18 available may not have filled those of us who fancy him with unbridled optimism, but hey, it could be worse. He could be drawn 18.

That's not the only piece of good news, though, because if anyone knows the best way to try and negate the effect of the draw round the Roodee, it's trainer Michael Jarvis and jockey Philip Robinson, who combined to land today's big event with Anak Pekan from a similarly unpromising position two years ago.

The selection's early career offered much promise but his form then deteriorated and when he finished tailed off in the St Leger, an irreversible forfeit awaited and having ended last term as a colt, he began this one as a gelding.

Galient's seasonal debut at Kempton saw him finish third to one of today's rivals Odiham but the latter seems much more at home on an artificial surface.

Even over two-and-a-quarter-miles, they tend not to dawdle round Chester's tight turns and with a few potential front runners in the field, the pace could be hot so Galient's stamina will hopefully come into play.

His supposedly poor draw also means we'll get a bigger price about him than might have been the case, which is never a bad thing. Also in his favour is the fact that Aidan O'Brien's Grafton Street, which might have been expected to provide stiff competition, was withdrawn at the eleventh hour after scoping poorly.

For those searching for an each-way wager at decent odds, Enjoy The Moment, Som Tala and Dzesmin appeal.

The opening event of the three-day Chester meeting jad looked tailor-made for Vhujon, until trainer David Evans last night stated his speedy youngster is a doubtful runner. Instead it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Tim Pitt's Not My Choice could improve sufficiently to land the spoils.

Henry Cecil's luck has taken a huge turn for the better lately and Light Shift can collect the Cheshire Oaks en route to an appearance in the real thing at Epsom on 1 June while John Gosden's Bergonzi is rated the bet of the day when he contests the mile-and-a-half handicap.

The opening day of the Kelso carnival, meanwhile, provided further proof that the fortunes of Rangers FC were indeed on the up when King Barry took advantage of the injury suffered by long odds-on favourite Mumbles Head to score for his East Lothian-based owner Ray Green.

Despite his surname, Green is an avid follower of the Light Blues and named the winner after Ibrox skipper Barry Ferguson.

Mumbles Head looked to have the race in the bag when he broke down but hopefully, Peter Bowen's runner lives to fight another day unlike Len Lungo's Rasharrow, who was sadly killed in a fall in the Charles Church Chase. As if to reinforce how much of a swings and roundabouts game racing can be, the 20,000 contest went to Bowen's Ballycassidy.

Peter Monteith's Locksmith didn't see a rival as he ran out a well-backed winner of the last while David Pipe's My Immortal was another winning jolly in the novices' chase.

Pipe contents himself with just the one runner at this evening's meeting courtesy of Prince Ary, who looks the best bet on the card.

Despite not being the most straightforward of individuals, Prince Ary has still run well since being switched to hurdles and should see off River Logic, the only conceivable danger.

ALL EYES ON GOSDEN PAIR

VENERABLE just held stablemate Shavansky to lead home a 1-2 for trainer John Gosden in a controversial finish to the maiden at Chepstow yesterday.

The winner was sent off a very well-supported 2-1 chance under Richard Hughes in the 10-furlong contest and the pair hit the front around four furlongs from home.

Hughes was seen to good effect aboard Venerable as the gelding dug deep to hold the 20-1 shot Shavansky by a length, but Robert Havlin did not appear to be riding too hard on the runner-up.

However, the stewards decided not to hold an inquiry into Havlin's efforts aboard the Rock Of Gibraltar colt.

Stipendiary steward Simon Cowley explained: "The betting patterns on the race and the fact that they are stablemates is interesting but we mustn't let it impinge on what we saw on video.

"We are satisfied what he asked his mount for was enough. Presumably he felt his whip wasn't needed, and the fact that he didn't use it is irrelevant as he is not obliged to."

Hughes later completed a 10-1 double when the Richard Hannon-trained Lazy Darren (11-4 favourite) ran out a three-and-a-half-length winner of the totesport.com Handicap.