DR MARWAN KOUKASH has a big decision to make over Betfred Cesarewitch winner Never Can Tell.
The Liverpool-based owner was tasting success in another of Flat racing’s biggest handicaps when the Jamie Osbourne-trained Montjeu filly landed the ultra-competitive Newmarket contest by a length and a half under an astute Frankie Dettori ride.
The four-year-old is in the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sales taking place in Newmarket from October 24-26. But Koukash – who also saw his Mount Athos finish fourth at Headquarters – is desperate to land the Chester Cup again at one of his favourite tracks.
And Never Can Tell – twice a winner on the Roodee earlier this season – looks an ideal type for the Chester race which Koukash won with the Ian Williams-trained Bulwark in 2008.
Trainer Osbourne was delighted with the Cesarewitch success, but is looking to speak with Koukash – who wasn‘t at Newmarket and watched the race at home on Merseyside – about what the future holds for Never Can Tell.
Osbourne said: “She seems fine, not a bother on her.
“She was always a filly whose style was going to suit how Frankie likes to ride a horse and he executed it brilliantly.
“It was a great result all round and very nice to have a winner like that for Dr Koukash.
“It’s probably unlikely she’ll run again this year. She is entered in the Horses In Training Sales, so I’m got to sit down with the doctor and we’ll decide what we are going to do. It’s not impossible she could go there. I don’t know.”
If Koukash does decide not to keep Never Can Tell, Chester’s prestigious staying handicap at next year’s May Festival would be very much on the agenda.
Osbourne added: “The Chester Cup is obviously one of the possibilities for her next year, but ultimately I won’t be the decision maker there.”
Meanwhile Richard Hannon may be double-handed at the Breeders’ Cup meeting with Strong Suit and Lilbourne Lad after their efforts at Newmarket on Saturday.
Strong Suit is as short as 3-1 for the Breeders’ Cup Mile after his comfortalble win in the Challenge Stakes while Lilbourne Lad was runner-up in the Middle Park Stakes and could go for a number of options in America.
Hannon said: “Strong Suit definitely heads to Churchill Downs, and there is a chance that Lilbourne Lad might be there too. Strong Suit is proving a revelation after that wind operation that he had in the spring, and (Richard) Hughesie reckons that he is made for America.
“The ground at Newmarket was a bit loose on top, but in Kentucky it will probably be as hard as the local freeway and that will suit him perfectly.
“Strong Suit has always been such a lovely horse to deal with, and he has so much speed, which you need for America. He could win at five, six or seven furlongs, and we are confident that he’ll get the mile there.”
TODAY’S NAP: Not My Choice (2.10pm Yarmouth).
