Banded makes Cup line-up

Dunlop gelding last name in field of 17

Last updated: 5th May 2008

Banded makes Cup line-up

Double Banded

Chester Cup betting:
4/1 Highland Legacy
11/2 Double Banded
8/1 Black Rock
9/1 Greenwich Meantime
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The John Dunlop-trained Double Banded has just made the cut for the totesport.com Chester Cup on Wednesday.

The progressive stayer won at Nottingham two weeks ago and the 3lb penalty he picked up proved the key to making the 17-runner field at the Roodee.

The four-year-old has won five of his last seven races and is strongly fancied to improve his record under big-race jockey Kerrin McEvoy, having won a favourable draw in stall five.

Last week's Sagaro Stakes victor Shipmaster heads the weights, his 3lb penalty taking his burden to 9st 13lb in the Heritage Handicap run over an extended two and a quarter miles.

Others bidding for glory include last year's winner Greenwich Meantime, who has drawn stall 10, and ante-post favourite Highland Legacy, stall six.

Brian Ellison has booked Johnny Murtagh for the ride on Tilt after Tom Eaves was claimed to ride for Bryan Smart.

"We had Tom but because he's first jockey to Bryan now, he was claimed to go to Beverley, which was annoying," said Ellison.

"We rang round to see who was there and we've got Johnny Murtagh. He's one of the best jockeys in Europe.

"You've got to have bottle for those big races and he's got plenty."

Two reserves, Calculating and Buster Hyvonen, could come in should there be any non-runners declared before 11.30am on Tuesday.

Paul Webber has issued a warning that Full House will only run if the ground is good.