May 07 / 15.05 Chester

15.05

Good

Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £79394
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 115-2

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
One of two runners for a trainer who has landed this prize ten times; Listed winner in France last term; good second to odds-on stablemate in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding) on reappearance, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(2)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Very much at the top his generation last year, winning the Chester Vase at this meeting before going on to classic glory at Epsom and the Curragh (all three wins over 1m4f on good ground); he was undeniably disappointing in the Great Voltigeur (1m4f, good to firm) and St Leger (14.5f, soft), but this looks a good starting point for his 4yo career given the race conditions and he should take the beating if anything like back to his best; cheekpieces are given a go.

6/4

4th

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Sean Levey

T: A P O’Brien

Set the pace when winning the Derby at Epsom by nearly 4l and helped to set it when he dug deep to follow up in Irish Derby at the Curragh (again 1m4f on good) later in June; 3l fifth when 4-5 in the Great Voltigeur at York last month looked disappointing, notwithstanding the sprint from early in the straight, but his trainer has stressed that it was a stepping stone to bigger prizes in the autumn; the two Derby wins suggest this trip won't be a problem and they are the best form in this field.

11/4

12/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 20131-

Last run: 228 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Well held at Royal Ascot but progressive otherwise last year, latterly in France; remains to be seen whether he can transfer the form of Chantilly Group 3 win (1m1f, good) back to home soil.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

8

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Lazy Griff

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good) last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (1m4f, good) later that month; absent since but this lightly raced 4yo could be suited by the step up in trip and he's a major player if ready to rumble after his absence.

7/2

3

(4)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Made all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start; has matured into a high-class performer, outrunning his odds on two occasions, 25-1 when making Lambourn work for victory in the Chester Vase and 50-1 when chasing home the same opponent in the Derby; stays well and would benefit from further easing in the ground.

10/1

6

(3)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

15:30 Epsom

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: Charlie Johnston

Sizeable advance in form when making all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start and he looked to have gone the right way over the winter on reappearance in Group 3 Chester Vase (about 1m4f, good) when it wasn't a breeze for Lambourn to get past him; aims much higher now, though.

50/1

OUR TIP
3rd
1 (3)
Convergent

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Two from two, namely novice wins at Redcar (1m/1m2f, soft/good); readily justified short odds last time and brings potential to this higher grade, upped further in distance; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

14:35 Newbury

Convergent

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Pipped in the Deutsches Derby (1m4f) last July before landing a 1m4f Group 3 at Leopardstown and 1m3f Group 2 at Longchamp; flopped on soft ground on final start but he should not face that here and, despite giving weight all round, could be on the premises if resuming on song.

7/4

1st

8

(7)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Convergent

9st 1lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Lightly raced 3yo won a couple of novice events at Redcar (including on soft) before third in hot Group 3 Chester Vase (1m4f, good); better again in 17-runner Group 1 Deutsches Derby on latest, only touched off final stride after racing prominently; very interesting contender now taking on his elders.

7/2

6/1

Form: 51-

Last run: 144 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Frankel colt whose siblings include a Group 1 winner; made late headway over 7f in sole start for Sir Michael Stoute then justified favouritism at Southwell (1m, AW) where he was well on top at the finish; gives the impression he'll be suited by middle distances; promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Pinhole

9st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Impressive in small-field handicap at Ascot (1m4f, good) in July; soundly beaten when fifth of six in Group 3 at Newbury (13.2f, good to firm) since but this lightly raced 3yo is not written off in view of the Ascot promise.

7/1

5th

6

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 61y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Pinhole

8st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Co-favourite for the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) but came eighth, with Furthur 4l ahead in second; evens with these cheekpieces enlisted for a five-runner handicap back at Ascot (1m4f, good) three weeks ago and this time he lived up to market expectations, leading over 1f out to win by just over 5l despite racing a bit freely early on; that much improved form makes him look a strong contender for this 1m5f Group 3.

2/1

1st

4

(3)

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Pinhole

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Fourth in a strong Chester Vase (1m4f) on reappearance; performed below market expectations in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f) since but again ran well on bare figures and although raised 5lb he dips into calmer waters in this handicap; raced only four times and still has potential; respected, assuming he takes well to first-time headgear.

10/11

11/1

Form: 72-1

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt; made a successful reappearance in Newbury maiden (1m3f, good) that threw up the winners of this race in 2018 and 2024; possibilities with further progress on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

He hasn't kicked on since beating Epic Poet to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August and failed to threaten when fourth in the Yorkshire Cup at York three weeks ago; however, he could improve for that first outing since finishing mid-division in the Melbourne Cup (gelded between those starts); this 4yo remains one to be interested in.

4/1

4th

5

(4)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:05 York

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Best form winning the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August in good style from Epic Poet; creditable sixth in the St Leger at Doncaster (14.5f) and not disgraced when mid-division for the 2m Melbourne Cup in November when last seen; gelded since; could resume his progress and that would bring him back into serious contention.

11/2

6th

2

(6)

13th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 115y

Class 1

15:40 Doncaster

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

All this season's races have been on good or firmer; second in the 1m6f Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, on the heels of Carmers; flopped behind Scandinavia at Newmarket three weeks later but resumed his improvement to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (13.2f) four weeks ago, coming from almost last to first in a steadily run, six-runner race to score by 3l; better still is required but that win was delivered in good style.

11/1

8/1

Form: 314- BF

Last run: 200 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Blinkered in his 2yo starts but won well at Listowel (7f, good) the second time; subsequently ran below market expectations in 1m1f Group 3 at Leopardstown and is deserted by Ryan Moore, who prefers stablemate Lambourn; headgear retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

Blinkered all starts; promoted to first in Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, good) in May, making most and bumped 1f out in a very tight finish; improved again when 80-1 in the Irish Derby at same track (1m4f, good) in June, albeit seventh of ten and coming about four and a half lengths behind winner Lambourn, therefore having something to find with him today.

66/1

10

(3)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; remote sixth behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase on return; much better when a promoted winner of the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over 1m2f at this venue, outperforming shorter-priced stablemate Shackleton.

50/1

2nd

4

(2)

23rd May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

18:55 Curragh

Thrice

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; however, was beaten a long way over 1m4f in the Chester Vase on return and appears to be the yard's second-string today.

8/1

Form: 00807-

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Irish colt who is the only maiden in this field, has a mountain to climb on ratings and isn't a certain stayer over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Wetherby

Faire La Nouba

11st 0lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Modest Flat maiden in Ireland who was a well-held seventh over hurdles on his penultimate start; has been gelded; opposable.

100/1

6th

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Wetherby

Faire La Nouba

11st 0lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Modest Flat maiden in Ireland who was a well-held seventh over hurdles on his penultimate start; has been gelded; opposable.

100/1

8

(12)

22nd Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

1m 3f 15y

15:47 Listowel

Faire La Nouba

9st 9lb

J: Donagh O’Connor

T: John F O’Neill

Finished behind Bridezilla over hurdles on latest; also held by that rival on the evidence of a clash at Limerick in June; subsequently showed a bit more promise by reaching the money in two maidens.

12/1

Form: 9111-

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Showed his 2yo progress on good, good to soft and heavy ground; comfortably bagged Listed honours at Chantilly (1m1f) the final time, taking record to 3-4; major player on ratings upped further in trip and helps to give Ralph Beckett, who also runs Pinhole, a strong hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

13:10 Catterick

Square DAlboni

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2yo Listed winner for Ralph Beckett who was 0-5 on the Flat last year; fairly encouraging start to hurdle career when third of 11 at 12-1 at Newbury (2m, good to soft) this month; open to improvement in this code and top trainer has 39% strike-rate here in last five seasons; leading claims.

5/6

3rd

11

14th Jan 2026

Good

2m 0f 69y

Class 3

13:05 Newbury

Square DAlboni

10st 3lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Dan Skelton

Trained on Flat by Ralph Beckett, posting a record of 3-4 (including Listed win) as a 2yo but 0-5 last year; sold for 45,000gns since last run; best form suggests he could make into a useful hurdler.

15/2

7

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Square DAlboni

9st 1lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Won 2yo Listed race at Chantilly (1m1f, heavy) last October but disappointing in the main in light campaign this term and down the field in C&D handicap (soft) last time; first-time blinkers need to prompt a revival.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.60
Straight Forecast £41.76
Tricast £127.38
Trifecta £170.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Lambourn

RP RATINGS:

Square d'Alboni

The Times:

Convergent

SPOTLIGHT:

Pinhole

LAMBOURN:

Furthur

The Guardian:

Lambourn

D Express:

Lambourn

The Sun:

Lambourn

The Star:

Lambourn

Daily Record:

Lambourn

Telegraph:

Convergent

Daily Mail:

Pinhole

TOPSPEED:

Square d'Alboni

Daily Mirror:

Square d'Alboni