RACING: Traffic problems stopped Pat Eddery getting to the course for the first race but the veteran Irish jockey had no trouble getting a clear passage on rejuvenated Fantasy Hill who cruised home in the Tote Chester Cup yesterday.
His mount had been out of luck round the tight turns two years ago, but there was no such trouble in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest this time for the six-year-old, who had been nursed back to health by trainer John Dunlop after missing all of last season due to leg trouble.
Always travelling strongly behind pace-setting Alberich and Darasim, the 8 to 1 shot found a wide gap open for him rounding the home turn and bounded into the lead.
Valiantly though 1999 and 2001 winner Rainbow High rallied, the 6 to 1 joint favourite could not make it a record third triumph and had to settle for second, two lengths adrift.
Last year's second High And Mighty was third, with Riyadh fourth in a race run in course-record time. But the gamble of running Gold Cup-winning Royal Rebel failed to pay off as he trailed in 15th. Eddery is now just 15 winners behind second-placed Lester Piggott in the all-time list of British riders.
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