2nd in a Listed Race at Chester

The progressive 3 year old gelding FATHOM FIVE progressed some more on the tricky Chester track this afternoon, finishing 2nd, beaten half a length, in the Listed City Wall Stakes, the feature race of the day.

Bumped from the left at the start and thus entangled with the horse to his right, FATHOM FIVE broke uncharacteristically slowly and was left flat footed and unbalanced on the swerve of Chester’s never-ending turns. Not having been round a bend more than once before – last year – and being the only 3 year old amongst older horses in the race, he was thoroughly unbalanced until Royston ffrench got him on an even keel and pressed the “go” button, fully five lengths behind the runaway leader. That leader – a 5 year old in-foal mare – had set a blistering pace yet it seemed for a few strides as if FATHOM FIVE would make up for lost lengths when he set off in the hottest of hot pursuits. He got within half a length as they passed the post – a great success for the winner’s owners and about-to-be breeders, and a highly meritorious and gutsy effort from FATHOM FIVE.