CHESTER 15:40

Non Runners: THE SHUNTER (IRE).

Time: 3m 59.16s Closing Sectional: (2f): 24.35s (105.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 129%, Betfair SP 101.9%

A lower quality Chester Cup than usual, The Shunter's ground-related withdrawal leaving just 2 runners with a BHA mark of more than 95 - there were 8 in 2023 - and a couple of veterans filled the first 2 places, Zoffee going one better than 12 months earlier, though it was Zanndabad in third who shaped best at the weights, coming home strongly from just too far back in a race run at no more than a fair gallop.

ZOFFEE has been finishing weakly but saw things out much better than he has been doing on first outing for 10 weeks/since rejoining his former stable, going one better (from a 3 lb lower mark) than in the race 12 months earlier; mid-field, steady headway over 2f out, got gap approaching final 1f, edged ahead final 100 yds; a rise back up to a mark in the mid 90s will probably be enough to make life hard for him.

EMIYN (FR) ran a stormer in a first-time visor (twice blinkered earlier in career) considering he blew the start and couldn't dominate in his usual fashion, acknowledging he still ended up in an advantegeously prominent position; dwelt, chased leader after 4f, challenged inside final 1f, stayed on.

ZANNDABAD (IRE) shaped well, left with a lot to do the way the race developed and going like the best horse at the weights; held up, forced to switch over 1f out, came wide, good headway final 1f, nearest at the finish; it could be touch and go whether he gets in the Ascot Stakes but, if he does, he threatens to be one of the more interesting runners.

AZTEC EMPIRE (IRE) after 8 months off, had been gelded since last season and ran up to his best without being able to capitalise on managing to lead at just a fair gallop, arguably a touch keener than ideal first time back over the longest trip he's tackled; made running, took keen hold, shaken up under 2f out, worn down final 100 yds.

GRAND PROVIDENCE ran up to her best, though she's not overly blessed with finishing speed and proved vulnerable at the end of a race where it was required; close up, shaken up 3f out, kept on; she's yet to be ridden from the front but is the sort of strong-galloping type that'll probably benefit from such tactics, especially when the emphasis is firmly on stamina.

AQWAAM continues in good heart back on turf, doing all he could under a ground-saving ride from Franny Norton and proving himself effective over this far, at least when the emphasis is on speed; held up, took strong hold, headway over 1f out, never nearer; he's been a model of consistency over the last year, though did finish lame here.

FALCON EIGHT (IRE) was running in this for the fourth consecutive year (successful in 2021) and, having been below par in a listed event at Saint-Cloud 5 weeks earlier, ended up running creditably, though as 12 months earlier he didn't necessarily seem up for it early, ending up too far back as a result; raced well off the pace, reminders soon after start, still plenty to do 2f out, never nearer.

FORZA ORTA (IRE) showed benefit of reappearance by running creditably, though there was perhaps an element of him getting away with the extra distance under speed favouring conditions; raced off the pace, pushed along early, headway under pressure from 2f out, no extra final 100 yds.

THE GRAND VISIR is a regular in this race (best effort when runner-up in 2021) but even from a declining mark he's been readily opposable in good handicaps for a while and had no excuses after 5 months off; chased leaders early, shuffled back over circuit out, not quicken from 2f out.

TOO FRIENDLY was gambled on but isn't a thorough stayer and, even under speed favouring conditions, didn't get home; in touch, shaken up over 2f out, faded final 1f.

DUKE OF OXFORD wasn't seen to best effect having just his third start on turf (soundly beaten on other tries); raced well off the pace, still plenty to do 2f out, no room approaching final 1f, never dangerous.

ZEALANDIA (FR) after 3 months off, has yet to prove himself at distances beyond 2m, not that he was beaten by solely by the trip, his mark probably just plenty high enough at present; mid-field, not quicken 2f out.

SPIRIT MIXER in first-time cheekpieces, continues to underachieve, acknowledging he was up against it trying to come from so far back; dropped out, never dangerous.

SOLENT GATEWAY (IRE) in a change of headgear, was ridden with more patience than usual and never threatened to get competitive, seemingly still struggling for form; mid-field, shaken up under 3f out, came wide, no response, beaten when bumped approaching final 1f.

MAGELLAN STRAIT (IRE) was racing on ground firmer than good for the first time and disappointed after 4 months off, conditions maybe not ideal but hardly averse to the odd stinker all the same; chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, dropped away from 2f out.

CITIZEN GENERAL (IRE) was 10 lb higher than when last seen on turf and well held, hardly having an ideal trip but his SP telling of low expectations from this kind of mark over the longest trip he's tackled; raced wide, mid-field, beaten over 2f out.