No Heretic each-way value in Chester Cup at May Festival
David Metcalf | May 3, 2016
No Heretic up for the Chester Cup
No Heretic looks nicely treated and decent each-way value in a wide-open renewal of the Chester Cup on the opening day of the May Festival at the historic Roodee racecourse (15.10).
The gelding had some smart form to his name back in 2013 when trained by David Simcock, winning in good style at Newmarket off a mark of 89 and finishing a solid three length sixth of 19 to Chiberta King off an official rating of 96 in the Queen Alexander Stakes at Royal Ascot.
No Heretic also ran a blinder when fifth of 14 to Brown Panther in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup, where he attempted to make virtually all of the running before getting headed a furlong from home and weakening to be beaten just 5 3/4 lengths.
The well-bred son of Galileo then moved to join Seven Barrows handler Nicky Henderson for a career over hurdles, but suffered an injury and was subsequently on the sidelines for 940 days.
Lots to like about comeback run
However, No Heretic showed that he still retained plenty of ability when finishing a fine third at Newbury last month on his belated debut over the obstacles.
That run should have blown away the cobwebs and put the eight-year-old spot on for this, and a mark of 93 looks exploitable on the pick of his back form.
Henderson also has a decent record in staying handicaps on the level, and from a good draw in stall four No Heretic looks capable of running a big race in the hands of Jamie Spencer.
Steve Rogers holds leading claims
Steve Rogers is favourite for the race and looks a major player following an impressive success on reappearance at Kempton last month.
The Roger Varian trained five-year-old cruised clear to score easily by 3 1/4 lengths, and it was a peformance which suggested he needed keeping firmly onside.
A 6lb rise for that victory looks more than fair, and Steve Rogers has a progressive profile having won six of his nine starts in handicap company.
The son of Montjeu also looks the type who should have even more to offer, has a handy draw in stall three, and hails from a yard which is in fine form and has a 25 per cent strike rate with its runners at the track in the past 12 months.
Coral’s top tip: No Heretic looks worth an each-way wager in a typically wide-open and competitive renewal of the Chester Cup. Steve Rogers is progressing at a rate of knots and holds solid claims.
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