Ellison gets Murtagh to aid Tilt at Chester Cup

May 6 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

FRESH from his victory in the stanjamesuk.com 2,000 Guineas aboard Henrythenav-igator, Johnny Murtagh has been snapped up to ride Tilt in tomorrow’s totesport.com Chester Cup – the feature of the prestigious three-day May meeting on the Roodee.

Brian Ellison moved quickly to secure the services of the Irishman after Tom Eaves was claimed to ride for his boss Bryan Smart at Beverley on the same day. Ellison said: “We had Tom, but because he’s first jockey to Bryan Smart now, he was claimed to go to Beverley. 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.”

Ellison hopes his six-year-old, who is a best-priced 14-1 with BlueSquare, can reverse form with one of tomorrow’s rivals, Double Banded.

Tilt was second to 6-1 chance Double Banded, who just made the cut for the extended 2m2f handicap, on his seasonal reappearance at Nottingham last month.

But Ellison said: “They went no pace at Nottingham and Double Banded got the run of the race. It was a great run considering it wasn’t run to suit us. He’s got a good draw (eight) and a good jockey. He’s in tremendous form and did a brilliant bit of work on Sunday.”

The 3lb penalty Double Banded picked up for that Nottingham success meant John Dunlop’s progressive stayer was in the maximum 17-strong field. There are two reserves, Calculating and Buster Hyvonen, who could come in should there be any non runners declared by 11.30am today.

Meanwhile Warrington jockey Paul Hanagan will again team up with Richard Fahey’s Greenwich Meantime, as they bid for back-to-back successes in the contest.

Greenwhich Meantime defied a seemingly disadvantageous draw in 16 last season and has been drawn in 10 this time as he bids to emulate Anak Pekan, who was the last horse to secure back-to-back successes in 2004 and 2005.

Fahey’s eight-year-old is the 9-1 third favourite with Ladbrokes, BlueSquare and Skybet, with Highland Legacy the 9-2 market leader with Coral, bet365 and BlueSquare.

TODAY’S NAP: Tenancy (5pm Southwell).