First Ballot can settle a score for David Elsworth by lifting today's Tote Chester Cup. The four-year-old is weighted to win one of the few big staying handicaps to have eluded his highly successful dual-purpose trainer.
Elsworth had high hopes of landing this prize 20 years ago when Heighlin started a wellbacked second favourite only to fail to handle the track and trail in fifth.
So the fact he has been lured back todaysuggests he is confident First Ballot can wipe away some bad memories.
His optimism is well founded. First Ballot has quickly developed into a smart stayer, winning at Newbury and Ascot from just six career starts to date.
The gelding has limitless scope for further improvement - it is no surprise that his trainer believes him a Pattern-race performer in the making.
