Zuider Zee has been declared a non-runner for the StanJames.com Chester Cup on Wednesday.

The John Gosden-trained five-year-old was withdrawn from the keenly-contested handicap due to the ground, which is currently soft, at Chester.

Zuider Zee's withdrawal sees the first reserve, Shubaat, step up from the substitutes' bench.

Roger Varian's inmate will be ridden by 3lb claimer Dominic Fox, and was a good winner at Musselburgh last month.

Shubaat is also favourably drawn in stall three.Jamie Osborne has huge reservations about the ground for Never Can Tell, who was well beaten on her only previous run on soft ground.

However, this race has always been the target for the Cesarewitch winner, owned by staunch Chester supporter Dr Marwan Koukash.

"She's had a great preparation and this has been the plan since winning the Cesarewitch," said Osborne.

"Obviously it's an important race for Marwan and for us all.

"She's in great order and we're happy we've got her there in the right condition.

"I'm obviously very concerned about the ground. She's run 14 times in her life and only once on soft ground and it was the worst run of her life.

"I'm not confident about her ability to handle it, but we'll give it a go.

"I was never worried what draw she would get, but it's a huge worry that we are going to ask her to race on ground that the only time she's run on it before she ran like a goat."

Mark Johnston fears the widest draw has seriously compromised the chances of Gulf Of Naples, who goes to the Roodee on the back of an impressive win at Ripon.

"Gulf Of Naples is obviously the form horse. He's racing with a 3lb penalty and everything would be perfect, but for his draw," said the Middleham trainer.

"That's the main issue. Apart from that, we would feel he was tailor made for the race.

"I'm sure he would be the one they'd all be fearing, but they will be fearing him less because he's drawn out in the car park."

Johnston also saddles Eternal Heart, who has done considerably better than his stablemate in the draw stakes.

"Eternal Heart is a very good horse and he's has got a very good draw (five)," said Johnston.

"You'd have to say he has an excellent chance."

Connections of Tominator are hoping for a strong end-to-end gallop for last year's Northumberland Plate winner.

"He's had a good preparation and I'm happy enough with him. It was always the plan to come here first," said trainer Reg Hollinshead's son and assistant Andrew.

"I'm not sure how he'll cope with the ground if it comes up very soft. He goes on a bit of cut, but I don't think he likes it too soft.

"Drawn two is fine, but he's a hold-up horse and that's definitely how he's best. He's just going to need luck in running and hopefully get a good pace.

"They didn't take Overturn on last year. They left him alone in front, went quick for a quarter of a mile, but once they'd established the order then they left Overturn in front.

"He was able to cruise for a mile then kick off the bends. If that happens again we'll be in trouble, I think.

"I'd like to think there will be plenty of pace on, but I'm not sure that's going to be the case.

"He's definitely better when there's a strong pace and they really go at it hard.

"It will drop for him at some point during the season, but whether it will be tomorrow or not I don't know."

Eddie Ahern is excited at renewing his association with Overturn, having won this race 12 months ago and the 2010 Northumberland Plate on Donald McCain's smart dual purpose performer.

"I can't wait to ride him and he's the people's horse now," said the jockey.

"He's one of my favourite horses. He's a Northumberland Plate winner and he won this last year. He's a horse I love riding.

"I was there at Cheltenham to watch him finish second in the Champion Hurdle.

"He was drawn one when he won last year and he's drawn eight this time. If you're drawn in single figures I think you're OK.

"He's fast out of the stalls and when he won the Plate he was drawn on the wide outside. He came out of the stalls like a bullet and we were able to get across.

"This year there are a couple that like to make the running, but he'll jump out and do his thing in front and take it from there.

"I know he's got top weight but when he's running over hurdles he's carrying a heavy weight, so he's used to it. And the guy who rides him every morning is over 10st, so it won't be a big deal to him.

"There's also no hill to climb at the finish at Chester."