NEWMARKET trainer James Fanshawe will be keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of this Saturday’s John Smith’s Cup at York. Fanshawe is responsible for the current 10/1 joint-favourite Arthenus, a son of Dutch Art.
Arthenus, now four, had a productive three-year-old campaign, which culminated in a gutsy success over subsequent Royal Hunt Cup runner-up, Librisa Breeze, in a nine-furlong handicap over the Knavesmire last October. He failed to land a blow on his first two starts of this campaign, but returned with a career best to finish fourth in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
The ground was officially soft at Ascot and Fanshawe is hoping there is some ease underfoot on Saturday. He said: “The plan is to run on Saturday. I am just hoping that the ground doesn’t dry out too much as he very much likes to get his toe in. It doesn’t have to be soft like it was at Ascot, just a little bit of ease.
“He ran a really good race in the Wolferton and has come out of the race well. He seems in good form and is the right type for a race like this.
“He has a bit of class which you need for these big handicaps. He’s well, I’m happy with him and now we need a bit of luck with the draw and the ground.”
Arthenus is one of fifty-one who stood their ground for the richest ever running of the John Smith’s Cup. The 57th renewal of the mile and a quarter contest had its prize fund boosted by £50,000 this season, making it the richest middle-distance handicap in Britain.
Britain’s best-selling ale is responsible for sponsoring the entire seven-race card, which also features two Listed races. It is the longest continuous commercial sponsorship of a flat race in the country.
The winner of the John Smith’s Cup often goes on to make their mark in Group races, with recent winners including Canadian Group 1 winner Wigmore Hall (2010) and dual Group 3-scorer Green Destiny (2011). The 2014 winner Farraaj went on to be placed in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes in Australia.
Saturday’s racing at York starts at 1.55pm, though the two-day meeting gets underway twenty-four hours earlier with another excellent afternoon of action. The seven-race card on Friday includes the 188Bet Summer Stakes – a six-furlong Group 3 for fillies and mares.