Hugo Palmer does not believe last year’s Chester Cup second Zoffee has been handed a boost after being drawn in stall one for today’s race (3.40).
The eight-year-old is a general 10-1 chance for the £170,000 contest that he came within a neck of winning 12 lengths ago, only to be denied by Metier, who was not declared by Harry Fry on Wednesday morning.
Due to the tight configuration of the track, having a low draw is often been seen as a bigger advantage to those drawn higher, who have to travel wider and further.
However, Palmer does not believe being positioned in stall one will aid last year’s runner-up as he is not one to set the pace for the field.
Palmer said: “Is one a good draw? I don’t think it would be for Zoffee in a 17-runner field.
“Unless you’re going to make the running, you’re in the danger zone of any beaten horses coming back and landing in your lap. Harry Davies is going to have to be aware of that.”
Zoffee is one of two runners for Palmer in today’s feature handicap with Solent Gateway will set to break from stall five under last year’s winning jockey Saffie Osborne.
The four-time winner has raced on the all-weather in two starts this term, but returns to the track for the first time since finishing 11th in this race two years ago.
On his chances, Palmer said: “Solent Gateway has lucked out a bit in five and if I could swap them I would because I think we’ll probably try to make the running on him, having been so keen in the Cup two years ago.
“Stall one would have been perfect for him and five for Zoffee, but you can’t have everything that you want.”
Ante-post favourite Grand Providence will emerge from stall 12 and bids to go two better than when third behind Prince Alex at Newbury on her reappearance last month.
The market leader is one of three Andrew Balding-trained runners with Aztec Empire and 2022 course winner Spirit Mixer also declared.
The Michael Bell-trained Duke Of Oxford and The Shunter, who is trained by Emmet Mullins, have also been declared and are prominent in the market.
As well as The Shunter, 2021 winner Falcon Eight will be joined by fellow Irish raiders Magellan Straight and Zanndabad will also line up on the Roodee.
Ian Williams won this race in 2018 with Magic Circle and will be represented by three runners, Zealandia, Aqwaam and The Grand Visir. The 17-strong field is completed by the Ed Dunlop-trained Citizen General, Declan Carroll’s Emiyn and Too Friendly, who is the mount of 1,000 Guineas-winning rider Silvestre de Sousa.
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