Time could be right for Greenwich to land Cup repeat

12:24pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

GREENWICH MEANTIME can land back-to-back renewals of the totesport.com Chester Cup.

The Richard Fahey-trained eight-year-old has been handed an unspectacular draw but faced an even more demanding challenging obstacle 12 months ago.

Slapped with berth 16, Paul Hanagan did tremendously well to haul his mount into contention early doors before leading a furlong out and subsequently scoring rather tidily.

Such was the finishing kick and combative spirit shown by Greenwich Meantime that day, Hanagan and his partner cannot be backed against forcing the issue again, this time from stall ten.

Greenwich Meantime carries just 1lb more than last year and his trustworthy handler can be relied upon to have him ready for battle on his seasonal bow.

Sugar Mint is fancied to leave a sweet taste in the mouth after taking her chance in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks.

Trained by Barry Hills, this daughter of Derby winner High Chaparral ran some very promising races at two but always looked set to make a better horse this term.

She was only a couple of lengths behind 1000 Guineas runner- up Spacious in the May Hill in September before failing to fire in the Filliesf Mile.

An easy winner on her return to action at Bath, her smooth defeat of Duntulm was made to look all the better when that one came from an unpromising position to win a hot Newmarket handicap on Saturday.

Sugar Mint will face stern opposition in this Listed heat but she has all the right entries and is fancied to climb this next rung up the ladder.

The Joseph Heler Cheese Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes does not appear to have attracted quite as strong a field as is often the case but that can work to the advantage of Shefs A Shaw Thing.

David Evansf filly must give weight away all round but she has looked a proper speedster in two early-season wins and could just have too much class for her rivals.

Beverley stage a competitive card, on which Glasshoughton stands out as a must in the Go Racing In Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap.

Trained at Denton, near Darlington, by Michael Dods, this sprinter won at the track last summer and looks set for a good season if his recent return is anything to go by.

Glasshoughton finished an encouraging fourth over this course and distance on his first start for six months and is certainly entitled to come on for that.

He has been dropped 1lb in the weights, will act on the ground and has a tasty-looking draw from which to attack.

Take The Stand can bring up the hat-trick in the Grimshaw Group 60th Anniversary Champion Huntersf Chase at Cheltenham, while Equilibria should run well in the Live Music Evening Handicap Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Twice Over, ante-post favourite for the Vodafone Derby, is firmly on target to have his final prep race in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York tomorrow week.

The Henry Cecil-trained colt jumped to the head of the betting at around 4-1 for the Epsom Classic with a short-head victory over Ravenfs Pass in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket last month.

eeHefs fine and is on course for the Dante at the moment,ff said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah.

Twice Overfs form has been given a double boost in the last few days.

Ravenfs Pass was far from disgraced when finishing fourth to Henrythenavigator from a poor draw in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday, while Austintatious, runner-up to Twice Over on his debut last October, won nicely at Kempton on Monday.

eeRavenfs Pass ran well in the Guineas and it was good to see the other one win,ff Grimthorpe added.

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