Buick shows he can take Chester in his stride as he prepares for step up in class

13 April 2012

William Buick is aiming to capture a big prize to coincide with losing his apprentices' claim.

Victory on Espy at Kempton yesterday, his 16th of the season, means the 19-year-old needs just two more victories before he is stripped of his allowance.

Agent Simon Dodds, who has skilfully guided Buick's meteoric rise, has tried to save a few wins to ensure Buick enters the major spring Festivals at Chester and York still able to utilise his 3lb allowance for the final time.

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Buick rides Espy to his 16th win of the season at Kempton yesterday

He is booked for Nicky Henderson's Sentry Duty in the Chester Cup tomorrow (Wednesday) when he has also picked up the ride on Michael Jarvis's Newbury winner Tighnabruich.

Buick said: "Sentry Duty is obviously a good horse over jumps and Mr Henderson has got a good record with the horses he runs on the Flat. He knows how to get a horse ready for a staying handicap."

Unplaced Spinning Lucy was a first Classic ride for Buick on Sunday in the 1,000 Guineas and the in-demand jockey has already ridden for 46 different trainers this season.

Already riding out each week for Barry Hills and Jeremy Noseda as well as his boss Andrew Balding, he has already adopted the routine of a senior jockey in an attempt to guard against any post-allowance lull.

Buick, who has strengthened physically over the winter but still tips the scales at 7st 12lb, said: "It's up to me now. I feel like I've proved myself with the claim but the when you lose it, it's like you start again."

The 3lb penalty Double Banded incurred for winning at Nottingham last month on his seasonal comeback has proved crucial as John Dunlop's progressive young stayer just made the cut in a maximum 17-strong field for the Chester Cup.

Nosferatu and Chocolate Caramel were the only two defectors at the 48-hour final declaration stage while last week's Sagaro Stakes victor Shipmaster heads the weights.

Tim Fitzgerald is hoping Inchnadamph gets luck in running in the historic race. The eight-year-old finished ninth behind Cup rivals Double Banded and Tilt on his reappearance.

Fitzgerald said: "I've been happy with him since Nottingham and this is a different trip and course. He seems in good form at home, but you need a good passage around there.

"That's the thing about this race, you can be dressed up and have nowhere to go. You would think that over two and a quarter miles it wouldn't happen, but it does."

Robert Winston is reunited with the horse, having partnered him to three of his seven victories.

Fellow trainer Brian Ellison has snapped up Saturday's 2,000 Guineas-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh for Tilt.

Tom Eaves was provisionally booked but he has been claimed by Bryan Smart.

"We had Tom, but because he's first jockey to Bryan Smart now, he was claimed to go to Beverley," said Ellison.

"We rang round to see who was there and we've got Johnny Murtagh. He's one of the best jockeys in Europe. You've got to have bottle for those big races and he's got plenty."

Ellison believes his horse can turn the tables on Double Banded.

"They went no pace at Nottingham and Double Banded got the run of the race. It was a great run considering it wasn't run to suit us," Ellison went on.

"He's got a good draw (eight) and a good jockey. He's in tremendous form and did a brilliant bit of work on Sunday."

There are two reserves, Calculating and Buster Hyvonen, who could come in should there be any non-runners by 11.30am on Tuesday.

Greenwich Meantime defied stall 16 when beating Fair Along 12 months ago and has been cut to 8-1 from 10-1 with the sponsors to repeat the trick, having been given stall 10 this time.

totesport Chester Cup betting, sponsors: 7-2 Highland Legacy, 5-1 Double Banded, 8-1 Black Rock, 10-1 Greenwich Meantime, 12-1 Shipmaster, 14-1 Inchnadamph, Tilt, Wing Collar.

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