Iain Jardine’s Nakeeta ready to roll in Friday’s Chester Cup live on ITV4
Nakeeta was last seen finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup and will kick his season off on the Roodee
IAIN JARDINE reports Nakeeta to be in great form ahead of his run in the 188Bet Chester Cup on Friday.
Jardine’s stayer will have to carry top weight and break from a tough draw in stall 13, but connections are keen to get his season started.
Nakeeta finished 10th in this race last year before going on to win the Ebor at York in August and then running a huge race in fifth in the Melbourne Cup.
Jardine has given his globe-trotting star plenty of time to recover from his trip to the other side of the world and has been pleased with his preparation.
He said: “He’s in good shape. He’s not got the best draw in the world, but he never has. Even when he was second in the race, he had a terrible draw.
“He’s there to take his chance, I suppose he’s on the back foot a bit with top weight and a bad draw, but he’s a very good horse and his last piece of work was as good as I’ve seen him, so fingers crossed he’ll go well.
“Melbourne was a while ago now. He’s had time to freshen up and we look forward to a good run.”
Owner Dr Marwan Koukash has enjoyed success in this race with Address Unknown (in 2013) and Suegioo (2014) and is hoping lightning will strike a third time with Magic Circle.
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Fifth 12 months ago when trained by Ralph Beckett, Magic Circle changed hands for 70,000 guineas at Tattersalls and will carry the colours of the enthusiastic owner for the first time.
Dr Koukash told Racing UK: “Last year he was drawn 18 and still finished a commendable fifth.
“We have got the draw in six, he’s in decent form – every time I text Ian Williams to ask him how he is doing, he gives me the thumbs up sign in his text back.
“He’s been working very well at home and the draw is good for him this year, so hopefully he will run a big race.”
A field of 17 are set to go to post for the Chester Cup, which is due off at 3.35pm on Friday and will be shown live on ITV4.