Austrian School has ?a “favourite’s chance”

Even though the Middleham trainer has specialised in longer-distance races, this historic two mile three furlong race past Chester’s city walls has always eluded him.

However, Austrian School, narrowly denied in last year’s Doncaster Cup, could not have been more impressive when winning the Queen’s Cup at Musselburgh by seven lengths just a week after Tiger Roll, trained in Ireland by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Davy Russell, had become the first horse since Red Rum 45 years previously to win successive Nationals.

But the start could be decisive. “He was so impressive at Musselburgh, but conditions will be a long way away from what they were there, so that’s an added doubt,” said Charlie Johnston, assistant to his father. “In terms of has the horse got the ability to win the Chester Cup off his mark? 110 per cent yes.

“He’s the only one of ours who has a decent draw (five), but miss it half a beat and then 12 come in on top of you and all of a sudden stall five becomes a horrendous draw, so you need a lot of things to go right. I do think he can win it. He’ll need things to pan out favourably, but he goes there with a favourite’s chance.”

Austrian School is joined by recent winners Watersmeet, Making Miracles and Lucky Deal who all take their chance.

“The other three are all in very good form,” said Johnston. “Joe (Fanning) has won good races on three of them in the last month. He had the choice and went with Austrian School, it wasn’t easy and it would have been hard to get off Watersmeet and even Making Miracles

“We’ve got four good bullets at it, but the draw is very influential, even over that trip. Franny (Norton) will have to be at his best to get a good slot on Making Miracles from 16. If he can do so I think he’ll run a big race, but Lucky Deal is quite frustrating as he gives his races away in the first half.”