Intro:

Trainer Richard Fahey is relishing the prospect of saddling his first-ever Epson Derby runner after 8-1 shot Mickdaam booked his ticket by winning the MBNA Chester Vase at Chester Racecourse on Thursday, while Wayne Rooney's disappointing start to his career as a racehorse owner continued as his horse Tomway finished seventh out of a field of nine in the EBF Maiden Stakes.

Script:

The Chester Races continued on Thursday with the feature race of the day - the MBNA Chester Vase. 

It proved to be a thriller as 8-1 shot Mickdaam booked his ticket to the Epsom Derby. 

Trainer Richard Fahey is one of the most upwardly mobile trainers in the game - but has yet to have a horse worthy of a place in the most prestigious British Classic of them all.

That will all change next month, however, after 8-1 shot Mickdaam held on by the narrowest margin to land this recognised Derby trial.

The son of Dubawi stepped up to a mile-and-a-half for the first time, and was caught wide round the Chester bends, but was always travelling strongly for Tony Hamilton.

The jockey decided to press on from the top of the home straight and although 8-1 shot Model Pupil was finishing with a real rattle and flying into contention, Mickdaam held on to win a thriller by a nose.

Later on, in the EBF Maiden Stakes, stars of the footballing world gathered around racehorse owner, trainer and footballer Michael Owen in the enclosure. 

Wayne Rooney, another prolific England striker and owner of 25-1 outsider Tomway from Owen's stable, was also present once more. 

On Wednesday, Rooney and Coleen made their debut as racehorse-owning couple and had to watch two-year-old colt Pippy finish last in the Lily Agnes Stakes.

On Thursday Tomway fared little better. 

Finishing seventh in a nine-horse field won by 12-1 shot Fat Gary.