Snooker world champion Kyren Wilson switches sports just 48 hours after Crucible win – with runner at Chester races

SNOOKER world champion Kyren Wilson has switched sports just 48 hours after his Crucible triumph - with a runner at Chester races.

Wilson eventually saw off Welshman Jak Jones in a tense final in Sheffield on Monday night.

But he was tipped to make an appearance on the famous Roodee in Chester city centre on Wednesday - where tragedy struck in the big race - when his horse Auric lined up.

The thee-year-old colt is trained by Hugo Palmer, who is Michael Owen's own personal handler based at his plush Manor House Stables.

Wilson, who enjoyed a boozy afterparty following his 18-14 win over qualifier Jones, is part of the Manor House Stables Syndicate II which owns the horse.

Auric won his second career race at Kempton last month and currently has earnings of just over £2,000 from three runs.

The colt was ridden by top jockey David Egan in the first race on the first day of the three-day Festival.

Auric was sent off 11-1 to land the £15,288 first-place prize in the six-furlong, Class 3 CAA Stellar Handicap at 1.30pm.

The horse was a beaten 13-8 fav when last seen running at Windsor last month and had to make it out fast get over to the favoured rail from stall eight.

Palmer had high hopes for Auric but reckoned beforehand he might be a touch better over further.

He said: "I was delighted that Kyren won the World Snooker Championship and he plans to come to Chester to see Auric run in the first race of the meeting.

"In an ideal world, the race would be seven furlongs rather than six but he hasn't got many miles on the clock.

"My concern is that this trip around Chester might be a bit sharp for him."

And the trainer might have been correct, with Auric finishing ninth of 14, some seven-and-a-half lengths behind shock 20-1 winner Garfield Shadow.

Curiously, Owen's former trainer Tom Dascombe - who was axed after more than 12 years by the ex-footballer's side - saddled one of the pre-race favourites 11-2 Old Chums.

That horse managed better than Auric, finishing third at 7-1 and winning over £3,500 for connections.

Wilson is a keen racegoer and has previously posted photos enjoying a day out at Newmarket alongside wife Sophie.

Hopefully the pair and their two children enjoy many more in future as a nice way to get away from the pressures of being snooker world champ.

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