Awesome Absurde a general 20-1 shot for Melbourne Cup after Listed Chester Stakes success

Last year’s Ebor winner Absurde demonstrated his versatility once more when providing Willie Mullins with his first winner on the Roodee in the Listed Chester Stakes.

Absurde was last seen being beaten 31 lengths by Grosvenor Square in the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh on his first start since landing the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. 

However, the six-year-old bounced back to form under Danny Tudhope, who rode his first winner on his fourth ride for Ireland and Britain's champion jumps trainer when the 5-2 shot scored by a length and a quarter from Caius Chorister.

An emotional Emilie Seigle, who has been an ever-present companion to the globetrotting star, told Sky Sports Racing after leading up the winner: "He's brilliant. He's not just a horse, he's my best mate. He's part of my family. 

"I travelled around Australia, he won an Ebor, Cheltenham – he's my best traveller. I'm so proud of him."

Absurde was seventh in last year's Melbourne Cup and he was cut to 20-1 (from 33) with Ladbrokes for the Flemington showpiece on November 5.

Siblings strike

Half-siblings Balon D'Or and It Ain't Two won back-to-back races for trainer Hugo Palmer. Both out of Ursa, Balon D'Or ended a 16-race winless run since his successful debut at Musselburgh in the 5f handicap under Richard Kingscote.

Jason Hart then helped It Ain't Two land the following 6f fillies' conditions stakes. 

Off the mark

King Of Cities was cut to 20-1 (from 50) for the Royal Lodge and was halved to 25-1 for the Dewhurst with Betfair after justifying 13-8 favouritism for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey in the opening 7f novice.

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