May 08 / 14.35 Chester

14.35

Good

Deepbridge Huxley Stakes (Group 2)

  • Prize money: £96407
  • 1m 2f 70y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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Deepbridge Huxley Stakes (Group 2)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

6/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.50
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 11154- C

Last run: 237 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
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.
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

OUR TIP

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 62241-

Last run: 181 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Showed some high-class form last year including when beaten less than a length by Daryz in the Prix Egene Adam; hit the big time when making all to win the Group 1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern by 7l at Munich (1m4f, soft) in November; his 5lb penalty won't make things easy and this should set him up nicely for bigger targets ahead, but he goes well fresh and shouldn't be underestimated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(3)

24th May 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 110y

15:55 Curragh

Bay City Roller

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Showed some high-class form last year, including when beaten less than a length by Daryz in the Prix Egene Adam; hit the big time when making all to win the Group 1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern by 7l at Munich (1m4f, soft) in November; huge run at Chester when conceding weight all around, just going down by a neck to last year's dual Derby winner Lambourn; ideally suited by softer ground and a bit to find on ratings but he's clearly in top form.

8/1

2nd

1

(7)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Bay City Roller

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: George Scott

Showed some high-class form last year including when beaten less than a length by Daryz in the Prix Egene Adam; hit the big time when making all to win the Group 1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern by 7l at Munich (1m4f, soft) in November; his 5lb penalty won't make things easy and this should set him up nicely for bigger targets ahead, but he goes well fresh and shouldn't be underestimated.

3/1

3rd
3 (3)
Ice Max

20/1

  • Place: £3.30

Form: 5711-5 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Ended last season with a pair of 1m victories, the latest in a Nottingham Listed event (soft); not totally disgraced when fifth of eight in a Group 3 at Dusseldorf (1m, heavy) on last month's return, but that does indicate his limitations; races beyond an extended 1m for the first time; stable also runs Royal Rhyme.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(4)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

Ice Max

9st 6lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Won the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in 2024; creditable third, faring best of the runners who came off steady pace, in Group 2 at Chester (good) upped to 1m2f last time; unexposed at this distance and enters calculations despite carrying a 3lb penalty for Listed success (1m, soft) last autumn.

7/2

3rd

3

(3)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Ice Max

9st 3lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Ended last season with a pair of 1m victories, the latest in a Nottingham Listed event (soft); not totally disgraced when fifth of eight in a Group 3 at Dusseldorf (1m, heavy) on last month's return, but that does indicate his limitations; races beyond an extended 1m for the first time; stable also runs Royal Rhyme.

20/1

1st

4

(8)

29th Oct 2025

Soft

1m 0f 75y

Class 1

14:47 Nottingham

Ice Max

9st 4lb

J: Shane Gray

T: K R Burke

Mixed form in Group races this season but he made the most of his dip into handicap company on latest outing, winning a strongly run, 17-runner contest at York (1m, good; acts on soft); best efforts last year came on softer than good and several runs (not just the latest) make him the form pick.

6/4

Form: 8381-0 CD

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Admirable mare who is 12-21 on turf including wins at Group 3/Listed level; has winning form over C&D, but will need to improve plenty on her reappearance effort at Saint-Cloud in March if she is to play a part here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

9

(1)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Sparks Fly

9st 0lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Loughnane

Admirable mare who is 12-21 on turf including wins at Group 3/Listed level; has winning form over C&D, but will need to improve plenty on her reappearance effort at Saint-Cloud in March if she is to play a part here.

33/1

7/1

Form: 3/35-6 D BF

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Colt

OR: 115

Form & Verdict
Did well early in his carerer including when beating three rivals in the 2024 Brigadier Gerard (1m2f, soft); 0-8 since, albeit twice placed at the highest level; pulled too hard when beaten over 6l into sixth of 12 behind Starford on his return in a Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, soft) last month, but that should have taken the freshness out of him; could probably do with the ground easing, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(8)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Royal Rhyme

9st 3lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Did well early in his carerer including when beating three rivals in the 2024 Brigadier Gerard (1m2f, soft); 0-8 since, albeit twice placed at the highest level; pulled too hard when beaten over 6l into sixth of 12 behind Starford on his return in a Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, soft) last month, but that should have taken the freshness out of him; could probably do with the ground easing, though.

7/1

Form: 217-51 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Progressive in handicaps last season but took his form to a new level when getting the better of a stablemate in a Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, soft) last month; may yet be capable of even better, but he could do with some rain.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

7

(9)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Starford

9st 3lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Progressive in handicaps last season but took his form to a new level when getting the better of a stablemate in a Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, soft) last month; may yet be capable of even better, but he could do with some rain.

15/2

1st

8

(11)

19th Apr 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

15:35 Curragh

Starford

9st 5lb

J: Scott McCullagh

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Three-time winner, progressive in handicaps last season; unplaced in a race won by stablemate Beset on his only stakes race attempt; plenty to prove as a result.

20/1

5th

2

(19)

3rd Apr 2026

Soft

1m 2f 0y

16:17 Curragh

Starford

10st 2lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

One of four for yard; progressive in handicaps last season, winning three of his last four; commanding win at Listowel in September off 90 (1m3f, heavy); folded tamely when sent off favourite for 1m4f Listed event here in November; will need to be in top order to defy 12lb higher mark on return.

9/2

Form: 12044-

Last run: 186 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Highly tried after his winning Newmarket debut in April last year and ran well on a couple of occasions, as when beaten a neck in the Dee Stakes over C&D (good); has a bit to find to mix it with the majority of these, though.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

22nd May 2026

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

16:17 Goodwood

High Stock

9st 3lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Record of 0-5 since debut win (Wood Ditton) but he's useful and ran creditably in sole C&D attempt, namely fourth to Naqeeb in Listed event; could go well with Chester (Group 2) reappearance under his belt.

16/1

7th

2

(4)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

High Stock

9st 3lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Highly tried after his winning Newmarket debut in April last year and ran well on a couple of occasions, as when beaten a neck in the Dee Stakes over C&D (good); has a bit to find to mix it with the majority of these, though.

25/1

4th

7

(11)

24th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

High Stock

8st 13lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Absent since heavy defeat in Group 3 at Royal Ascot; has otherwise shown highly notable promise, namely a success in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket (1m) and close second in the Dee Stakes at Chester (1m2f Listed); may still have more to offer.

10/1

Form: 111-21 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Smart on the AW (1111121), her latest success coming in the Group 3 Winter Derby at Lingfield (1m2f) in February; her winning racecourse debut came on turf (7f, soft), but this looks a tough task on her return to grass.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

(6)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Sky Safari

9st 0lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Smart on the AW (1111121), her latest success coming in the Group 3 Winter Derby at Lingfield (1m2f) in February; her winning racecourse debut came on turf (7f, soft), but this looks a tough task on her return to grass.

20/1

1st

5

(5)

21st Feb 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:00 Lingfield (AW)

Sky Safari

8st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Tasted defeat on AW for the first time when second of ten, beaten a head, in a good fillies' handicap over C&D five weeks ago; beaten by a good filly, rather than the trip, on that occasion and she is still improving; shouldn't be underestimated.

6/1

2nd

2

(9)

17th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Lingfield (AW)

Sky Safari

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

5-5 on AW, completing a hat-trick when gamely winning a Listed race over 1m here eight weeks ago; the second home there was an unconsidered 125-1 shot who went into the race with a BHA mark of 71 so there are question marks over it but the third home ran well in Listed company in France last month; now 10lb higher than for her Kempton win on her penultimate start but she could progress further now upped in trip (dam a 1m4f winner); contender.

3/1

Form: 6352-2 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
No wins since landing two of his first four starts having been highly tried in the meantime, but he has a consistent record in Group/Listed company shy of the top level (22363522); again ran well when chasing home the smart Damysus on his return in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket (1m1f, good) last month; shortlisted with the run under his belt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(5)

8th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 70y

Class 1

14:35 Chester

Kings Gambit

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

No wins since landing two of his first four starts having been highly tried in the meantime, but he has a consistent record in Group/Listed company shy of the top level (22363522); again ran well when chasing home the smart Damysus on his return in the Earl Of Sefton at Newmarket (1m1f, good) last month; shortlisted with the run under his belt.

13/2

2nd

3

(5)

15th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Newmarket

Kings Gambit

9st 2lb

J: Jamie Spencer

T: Harry Charlton

No wins in nine Group/Listed races since landing the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his seasonal/handicap debut in 2024; frequently ran well, though, albeit with this trip looking a bare minimum when fifth of eight in York Group 3 in August on his penultimate start; can't be confidently ruled out but will need to resume in top order to make his Group-race breakthrough.

9/1

4

(4)

20th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ayr

Kings Gambit

9st 5lb

J: James Doyle

T: Harry Charlton

Expensive to follow in Group/Listed races on his eight starts since winning a handicap at Newbury in May 2024; however, the drop back to 1m1f was against him at York last time and he has plenty of form that puts him firmly in the picture today; seems versatile in terms of ground.

7/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.70
Straight Forecast £7.91
Tricast £74.43
Trifecta £79.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lambourn

NEWMARKET:

Bay City Roller

Telegraph:

King's Gambit

The Times:

High Stock

D Express:

Starford

The Guardian:

Royal Rhyme

RP RATINGS:

Lambourn

TOPSPEED:

Lambourn

POSTDATA:

Lambourn

The Star:

Lambourn

Daily Record:

Lambourn

Daily Mirror:

Bay City Roller

The Sun:

Bay City Roller

Daily Mail:

King's Gambit