Magic Circle wins Chester Cup
Magic Circle has given high-profile owner Marwan Koukash his fourth win in the Chester Cup to prompt thoughts of the Melbourne Cup.
Having his first race since being bought by Koukash and joining the Ian Williams stable, the six-year-old produced an amazing turn of foot in the straight for jockey Fran Berry.
Magic Circle quickly pulled clear in the final furlong (200m) to give Koukash a fourth triumph in the prestigious long-distance handicap over two miles, 2-1/2 furlongs (3700m).
“This is the one race that I always want to win and now I’ve done it four times, which I don’t think has ever been done before,” Koukash said.
The Melbourne Cup is also a race Koukash would like to win with his best result third in 2013 with Mount Athos.
The Ebor is in the mix with Koukash also saying they would look for a Group race to try to get Magic Circle’s rating up to qualify for the Cup in November.
Hugs Dancer, winner of the 2003 Chester Cup, ran ninth in the Melbourne Cup later that year while 2015 winner Trip To Paris ran fourth at Flemington.
Recent Ebor winners include Heartbreak City (2016) who ran second in the Melbourne Cup and Nakeeta (2017) who ran fifth.
Nakeeta, who was unplaced at Chester on Friday, is on the path to Melbourne again after Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock bought a half share in the Iain Jardine-trained stayer.