Who Dares Wins put up a tough and brave performance to finish second in the Chester Cup on Friday 10th May, which he was contesting for the third year running, having finished fourth and third in the two previous years. This year’s renewal was full of top class performers and following an extreme downpour before the race the ground changed to heavy. The winner had the advantage of making all and getting away from his rivals, but Tom Marquand had our fabulous dual-purpose horse in a great position throughout and he battled on bravely to take second place close home. He had to survive a Stewards’ Inquiry between himself and Whiskey Sour, who coincidentally both share the same father, namely Jeremy. It was only after 15 or so minutes that the result was confirmed, which was a great relief for those Owners attending.
Who Dares Wins has come out of the race, despite the conditions, in good form and all being well is likely to miss Royal Ascot and be aimed at the Northumberland Plate on Saturday June 30th at Newcastle on the All-Weather track, which is ideal as we would not want to encounter firm ground that would be a risk on the turf in midsummer. He could well join his stable companion Scarlet Dragon as an Ebor entry at York in August, worth this year a staggering £1 million.
Alan King’s horses remain in fantastic form and Who Dares Wins‘ sparring partner Couer De Lyon, who had finished a head in front of him on seasonal debut at Newbury, won the Chester Plate, the consolation race worth £50,000 for those horses eliminated by ballot from the Chester Cup. Who Dares Wins had given that horse 12lb at Newbury and also beaten him in to second place in the Cesarewitch Trial in 2017, so his current form has a very solid look.
