No Heretic each-way value in Chester Cup at May Festival

David Metcalf | May 3, 2016

No Heretic up for the Chester Cup

No Heretic looks nicely treated and decent each-way value in a wide-open renewal of the Chester Cup on the opening day of the May Festival at the historic Roodee racecourse (15.10).

The gelding had some smart form to his name back in 2013 when trained by David Simcock, winning in good style at Newmarket off a mark of 89 and finishing a solid three length sixth of 19 to Chiberta King off an official rating of 96 in the Queen Alexander Stakes at Royal Ascot.

No Heretic also ran a blinder when fifth of 14 to Brown Panther in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup, where he attempted to make virtually all of the running before getting headed a furlong from home and weakening to be beaten just 5 3/4 lengths.

The well-bred son of Galileo then moved to join Seven Barrows handler Nicky Henderson for a career over hurdles, but suffered an injury and was subsequently on the sidelines for 940 days.

Lots to like about comeback run

However, No Heretic showed that he still retained plenty of ability when finishing a fine third at Newbury last month on his belated debut over the obstacles.

That run should have blown away the cobwebs and put the eight-year-old spot on for this, and a mark of 93 looks exploitable on the pick of his back form.