The James Owen-trained four-year-old East India Dock headed the betting for the big handicap highlight of the 2025 Boodles May Festival. Progressive on the flat when with James Fanshawe, the son of Golden Horn shot towards the summit of the juvenile hurdle ranks for his new trainer. With his latest effort seeing him finish a close third in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, he looked to have an excellent chance switching back to the flat.
The booking of Ryan Moore for the Joseph O’Brien representative, Leinster, caught the eye, as did the form of the Camelot gelding. Making only his third start in handicap company, he arrived as one of the least exposed runners in the field and looked like the sort who may improve for this step up in trip. Briefly vying for favouritism, he started as the punters’ second choice.
Next came George Scott’s Caballo De Mar, whose claims advertised themselves. Arriving on the back of five straight wins, and officially five pounds well in under a penalty, he appeared rock solid to go well.
Others to note in a typically competitive lineup included Zoffee and Emiyn, who were separated by less than a length when first and second in the 2024 edition, and Who’s Glen, who scorched home by 13 lengths on his only previous visit to Chester.
Result
- 1st – East India Dock 9/4F, Jockey: Harry Davies, Trainer: James Owen
- 2nd – Caballo De Mar 11/2, Jockey: Callum Shepherd, Trainer: George Scott
- 3rd – Zoffee 14/1, Jockey: Joe Leavy, Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £86,632
- 2nd – £40,613
- 3rd – £20,332
- 4th – £10,149
- 5th – £5,083
- 6th – £2,516
- 7th – £1,275
- 8th – £629
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £3.25
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.40, 2nd – £2.20. 3rd – £3.50
- Exacta – £21.50
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £14.55
- Trifecta – £241.30
- Tricast – £151.74
Recap
Plenty seemed to surge for the lead when the stalls opened for this 2m2½f affair, with the early battle ultimately won by defending champion Zoffee and Irish raider Leinster. Taking advantage of their low draws in stalls in 4 and 5, the pair led the field around the first bend. Caballo De Mar tracked the duo towards the outside, with East India Dock and Morning Air gaining nice early positions just behind the leaders. It was still early days, but the second of the Joseph O’Brien runners, Dawn Rising, didn’t appear to be enjoying the Chester bends at all.
Leinster grabbed the lead for himself in the back straight, with Ryan Moore doing a good job of keeping his noticeably keen mount under restraint. Little change in behind, with Zoffee second against the rail alongside Caballa De Mar, who travelled nicely for Callum Shepherd. East India Dock, Morning Air and Divine Comedy made up the next wave of three. Further back, Spirit Mixer looked full of running, but was trapped behind a wall of horses.
Moving into the back straight for the final time, Moore allowed Leinster to stride on and increase the pace. Zoffee, Caballo De Mar, and East India Dock all travelled comfortably on the heels of the leader, looking ready to launch their challenges. Charging Thunder briefly moved into contention around the outside, whilst Spirit Mixer and Who’s Glen looked the most dangerous of those further back in the pack.
Leinster still led turning into the straight, but only briefly. Moving outside the leader, Caballo De Mar hit the front. With Leinster sticking on but beaten, it was left to Zoffee and East India Dock to try and get to the six-timer seeking leader. Zoffee couldn’t manage it, but East India Dock found the necessary gears to hit the front inside the final furlong and score by a length.
This was the first Chester Cup triumph for the emerging James Owen yard. It was also the second for Harry Davies, who claimed back-to-back editions having partnered Zoffee to victory in 2024.
Runners
- 1. Chemistry – Non-runner
- 2. Dawn Rising – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Ray Dawson
- 3. Divine Comedy – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Harry Eustace, Jockey: Kaiya Fraser
- 4. Duke Of Oxford – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Michael Bell, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 5. Who’s Glen – SP: 9/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 6. Charging Thunder – SP: 33/1, Trainer: James Owen, Jockey: David Probert
- 7. Hot Fuss – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Tom Dascombe, Jockey: Pierre-Louis Jamin
- 8. Zoffee – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Hugo Palmer, Jockey: Joe Leavy
- 9. Vaguely Royal – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Anthony Charlton, Jockey: Connor Beasley
- 10. Spirit Mixer – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Rob Hornby
- 11. Emiyn – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Declan Carroll, Jockey: Zak Wheatley
- 12. Leinster – SP: 100/30, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 13. East India Dock – SP: 9/4F, Trainer: James Owen, Jockey: Harry Davies
- 14. Caballo De Mar – SP: 11/2, Trainer: George Scott, Jockey: Callum Shepherd
- 15. Morning Air – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Venetia Williams, Jockey: Joe Fanning
- 16. Bashful Boy – SP: 80/1, Trainer: David Pipe, Jockey: Aiden Brookes
- 17. Liam Swagger – Non-runner
Non-Runners
Chemistry (self certificate), Liam Swagger (self certificate)