RICHARD HUGHES is eyeing a second successive victory in next Wednesday’s totesport.com Chester Cup aboard Mamlook.
Hughes will again partner the tough seven-year-old on the Roodee next week as David Pipe’s charge gets back on the level following a profitable campaign over jumps.
Joint-owner Peter Deal said: “The Chester Cup is the current plan for Mamlook, and Richard will ride again.
“That’s obviously great news as they did so well together last year.”
Mamlook won novice chases at Fakenham and Sandown, before finishing fourth behind Silk Drum in the Grade Three Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree earlier this month.
He was one of the 49 entries for the feature of Chester’s May Festival and is currently a best-priced 14-1 with William Hill, Stan James, Victor Chandler, Skybet and Boylesports to win for a second successive year.
Deal added: “David said he has come out of Aintree very well indeed.
“He’s been such a fantastic horse to own and we’ve had so much fun with him.
“He’s 4lb higher this year but I don’t think that is the end of the world. A bit of rain would help his cause.”
Tastahil and Halla San, who were second and third a year ago, are also among the entries.
The former, trained by Barry Hills, is currently the top weight on 9st11lb.
Donald McCain’s Northumberland Plate hero Overturn (8st13lb) and Irish challenger Dirar (9st7lb), who won the 2010 Ebor for Gordon Elliott, are among the entries, while Mount Athos, an impressive winner at Dundalk earlier in the month, is currently the 15-2 favourite with Sportingbet.
