'We have to do things to suit him' - front-running Shanroe lands Chester Stakes as odds-on Military Order trails home last

Shanroe was a surprise winner of the Listed Chester Stakes as this year's returning Derby failure Military Order proved bitterly disappointing again.

Sent off at 17-2, the Karl Thornton-trained nine-year-old made the running under Jason Hart to beat 15-2 shot Divine Jewel by a length and a quarter.

Military Order was 4-5 but, in similar fashion to his run at Epsom, he looked uncomfortable on the track and ultimately trailed home last.

Shanroe became the first Irish-trained winner of the Chester Stakes and Thornton told Sky Sports Racing: “These are Robbie’s [Colgan] tactics because he normally rides him but Jason [Hart] did a fantastic job.

“He’s not the easiest horse to travel with, we have to do things to suit him. Sometimes we bring him over and put him in a field and sometimes we travel a Shetland pony over with him, but he was absolutely fine today.”

Military Order had not been seen since finishing last at Epsom. The St Leger had been mooted as a possible end-of-season target for Adayar's brother, but he was pushed out to 50-1 (from 8-1) with Paddy Power after his latest dismal display.

Norton fronts up

Franny Norton landed yet another front-running success at Chester as he and Politico won their second race around the Roodee this season, winning the 7f novice at 4-1.

The Charlie Johnston-trained Politico broke from stall two and soon assumed command. Norton and his partner shot three lengths clear at the top of the home straight and their margin remained similar throughout the closing stages.

Autumn Rose outran her odds at 28-1 to finish second for Tony Carroll and It’s Not Risky made eyecatching late headway to finish third for Hugo Palmer. 

Talented Generation 

Great Generation was a runaway winner of the fillies' conditions stakes over 6f. Sitting midfield under Stefano Cherchi, Great Generation made smooth headway as the runners reached the top of the home straight and, despite having to make her challenge three wide, she charged down the middle of the track to win at odds of 100-30.

Beating the one-time Albany favourite Jabaara into second, Marco Botti’s juvenile marked herself out as a filly to follow for the rest of the season.

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