Chester Cup Tip: La Vecchia Scuola

Regular observers of racing will know that the Chester draw bias is old news. Even over 2m2f the draw plays a part, with low numbers favoured over all trips. Therefore it is a surprise to see La Vecchia Scuola drawn in stall 2 at 22/1.

She ran crackers in both the Northumberland Plate (6th) and the Cesarewitch (2nd) last year, which is top class form for the level. Her run at Newmarket was particularly impressive as she raced down the unfavoured middle of the track. That day she beat everything around her, including Red Cadeaux who was also stationed wide.

These performances should be rated even higher if you consider that her stable were going through a wretched run of form. From September to the end of the season all of Jim Goldie’s horses were running poorly; his strike rate was a lowly 3%. Things have improved this year with three winners in the last 14 days.

As an added bonus we have the talented jockey William Buick on board. Excellent in all types of race, he is particularly distinguished at 13f+ where he has a 19% strike rate and level stakes profits of £54. He also rides Chester well with a 22% strike rate and £20 level stakes profit.

With bookmakers paying ¼ odds four places, an each way bet at 22/1 looks good value.