September 13 / 14.05 Chester

14.05

Good

Virgin Bet Stand Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £34026
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 1
  • 5 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Stand Cup Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 5 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 4521-1 C

Last run: 97 days

W: 9st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s over 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including two Ormondes over the extended 1m5f here; also won 1m4f Listed races at the Curragh (yielding) last November and Goodwood (soft; by a neck from Military Academy at level weights) this June, which were his last two outings; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good, so rain may be needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(8)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Hamish

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s at 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, one over C&D; beaten a head in this race on heavy going in 2022; produced a rather disappointing show in Ascot Group 3 three weeks ago but had Listed wins over Military Academy and Mount Atlas earlier this term and holds a major chance if returning to form.

7/2

2

(2)

4th Oct 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Hamish

9st 6lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s at 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including this race in 2022; also won 1m4f Listed races on last three outings, including in a good scrap involving Military Academy at Goodwood in June and when that rival disappointed at Chester three weeks ago; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good; back up to Group 3 but with leading form claims again and a tremendous attitude.

7/4

1

(2)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Hamish

9st 8lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: William Haggas

9yo who's won a hatful of Group 3s over 1m4f-1m6f in his long and distinguished career, including two Ormondes over the extended 1m5f here; also won 1m4f Listed races at the Curragh (yielding) last November and Goodwood (soft; by a neck from Military Academy at level weights) this June, which were his last two outings; all of his turf starts in the last six years have been on softer than good, so rain may be needed.

10/11

OUR TIP

Form: -14605 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a 1m4f Listed win from the front last December) whereas 0-8 on turf; has shown easily his best turf form in two of his last three starts (gelded before latest) but much better is seemingly required today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(4)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Champagne Prince

8st 13lb

J: George Wood

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Superior on AW but handicapped accordingly and he was a promising fifth over 1m4f here (good to firm) in August, when he raced wide early and was in the lead at the furlong pole; again faded when last of five in Listed race at Chester last time (1m4f, good to soft; tough task at weights) and this drop back in trip could prove ideal; drawn low and one to consider seriously.

9/1

2

(3)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Champagne Prince

9st 5lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a 1m4f Listed win from the front last December) whereas 0-8 on turf; has shown easily his best turf form in two of his last three starts (gelded before latest) but much better is seemingly required today.

33/1

5th

6

(10)

22nd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 2

13:50 York

Champagne Prince

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Best form on AW, on which he's 5-7 (including a Listed win from the front) whereas 0-7 on turf; he now has a 10lb lower turf mark and managed sixth of 16 at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) on penultimate start, but that's easily his best turf form; gelded since a poor show on latest outing.

9/1

Form: 792100 C

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
This course rather dominates his turf record, most notably with a big career best to win 1m2f handicap in July in good style from the front; the scale of his defeats at other tracks on his last two outings is a concern and although better seems likely on this return to Chester, stamina is in doubt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(1)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Grey Cuban

10st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who defied top weight at York (1m2f, good) a fortnight ago and won over this C&D (good to soft) last September; has run some good races on soft ground in the past; he's just 2lb higher than last time and can produce another bold show.

5/1

1

(9)

11th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

14:05 York

Grey Cuban

9st 9lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Hugo Palmer

Front-runner who won at Chester (1m2f, good) in July and returned to form when third of five in Listed race there (1m4f, good to soft) last month; he's saved his best for Chester this season but has shown promise at York in the past and the drop back in trip is a likely plus; can make a bold bid.

20/1

3

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Grey Cuban

9st 5lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Hugo Palmer

This course rather dominates his turf record, most notably with a big career best to win 1m2f handicap in July in good style from the front; the scale of his defeats at other tracks on his last two outings is a concern and although better seems likely on this return to Chester, stamina is in doubt.

14/1

Form: 1-2727 D

Last run: 46 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
3-4 last term, notably with a 1m4f Listed success on AW; cheekpieces have gone on this season, with two solid seconds and the modest shows on his other two starts (Bahrain and the Goodwood Cup) can probably be forgiven; going down by a neck to Hamish when level weights in Listed race at Goodwood (1m4f, soft) was easily his best turf form and gives him a big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(4)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newmarket

Military Academy

9st 10lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

AW Listed winner for the Gosdens in November 2024 but he hasn't been near that form since a Listed second last June; second and third places early this year came in small fields and other options look more solid.

20/1

5th

3

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Military Academy

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Latest win came in a Listed race over 1m4f here for the Gosdens in November 2024 but he hasn't been at his best in five starts for this yard; needs a major revival.

12/1

Form: -45519 D BF

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Progressive in 2024 and better still this term, winning tidily in a six-runner handicap at Ascot (1m4f, good to firm; acts on good to soft) in July; appeared to run well when fifth of six in Group 3 here in May but better is needed to win this and he needs to bounce back from a shocker at York (front-running was blamed) three weeks ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Close second in Listed events at Chester (12.5f) last September and Musselburgh (1m6f) on reappearance, latter behind Al Qareem who gave 5lb and is now better off; further behind that opponent when fifth of six in this race last year; needs a personal best.

25/1

2nd

3

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Had a very solid campaign last season bar one blip (front-running was blamed); all but one of those races was at 1m4f, with a creditable fifth of six thrown in over the extended 1m5f at Chester in May (Group 3) but there is a bit for him to prove on this first foray over 1m6f.

4/1

4th

5

(2)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Mount Atlas

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Maiden win in 2024 was his only run on soft, unraced on heavy; ran a shocker at York (front-running was blamed) on penultimate start in what has otherwise been a solid campaign, including when beaten half a length by Hamish in 1m4f Listed race at Chester last time; the winner, however, also gave him 3lb that day, helping to show that this 4yo needs improvement.

10/1

Non-runners

Sir Dinadan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.40
Straight Forecast £11.92
Trifecta £36.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Military Academy

RP RATINGS:

Hamish

The Star:

Sir Dinadan

The Times:

Mount Atlas

Telegraph:

Grey Cuban

The Guardian:

Military Academy

D Express:

Military Academy

Daily Mirror:

Military Academy

The Sun:

Military Academy

Daily Record:

Military Academy

TOPSPEED:

Hamish

POSTDATA:

Hamish

NEWMARKET:

Hamish

Daily Mail:

Hamish