14.40
Good To SoftVirgin Bet Chester Stakes (Listed Race)
- Prize money: £34026
- 1m 6f 87y
- Class 1
- 8 runners
Runners: 8 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Form: 23-317
Last run: 25 days
W: 9st 11lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 112
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 (3) |
28th Jul 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 12lb |
Second last term in the Derby and third in the Irish Derby; not seen afterwards as a 3yo but 2m races at Sandown this season have seen his promise renewed for serious stamina tests; it was just a four-runner Listed race last time when he dominated from the front at 4-7, so he needs much better today, but cheekpieces are enlisted and he's a fascinating newcomer to a top staying race. |
12/1 |
|
1st 3 (1) |
3rd Jul 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (also 1m4f on good) next time; showed he retains plenty of ability when a 2l third in C&D Group 3 in May (ahead of three of today's rivals), leaving the impression a stronger gallop would have suited; should come on for that first start in 11 months and looks the one to beat. |
4/7 |
Form: 1-3362
Last run: 49 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 109
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 3 (2) |
4th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 23y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Low-mileage 5yo who made it 3-4 when winning a 1m4f handicap at Meydan in December; posted a good third in Group 3 there in January but last of six in Group 1 there (1m4f) in March; yard has an excellent record in this so he's a likely player after a break. |
9/4 |
|
3rd 4 (4) |
26th Sep 2025 Good 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 7lb |
Won easily on debut at Haydock (7f, good to firm) in June 2023 and again impressive when belatedly making it 2-2 in warm Chelmsford novice (1m2f, AW) in December 2024; another absence subsequently and he's up in grade on his comeback, but this 4yo has bundles of potential for his powerful stable. |
2/1 |
Form: 0-6304
Last run: 35 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 (7) |
18th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 110y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Only 1-10 for Dermot Weld but was highly tried on occasions; made most from wide draw in major handicaps on both starts for Richard Hughes, reeled in late on when third in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) but backpedalling before the home straight at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm); big shout if he reverts to the Chester performance. |
16/1 |
|
15th 13 (17) |
16th Jun 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 34y Class 2 |
9st 9lb |
Only 1-10 for Dermot Weld but was highly tried on occasions; made his debut for Richard Hughes in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) and, having broken well from his wide draw, he put up a bold show from the front only to be reeled in late in the day; a 2lb nudge is easy to stomach and dropping back to 1m6f could work given the cruising speed he showed at Chester. |
14/1 |
Form: 11531- D
Last run: 323 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 0f 179y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
1m6f Listed winner on Flat who was sold for 600,000gns later in October; flopped at long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh last month; brought out just six days later for Grade 2 at Kempton (again good to soft) where he did better, but was weakening when hampered two out; should get the hang of this discipline in due course, but probably too late to feature in this finish. |
66/1 |
|
3rd 5 |
21st Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
11st 0lb |
1m6f Listed winner on Flat who changed hands for 600,000gns last autumn; went off long odds-on for hurdling debut at Musselburgh (1m7f, good to soft) last Sunday but compromised his chance by racing freely/jumping none too fluently and could finish only fourth; it's far too soon to be writing him off but he needs a major leap forward just six days on. |
12/1 |
Form: -69447
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 6 (7) |
1st Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 3f 218y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Ex-French 4yo who won Group 3 at Saint-Cloud (10.5f, good) last May; respectable Listed efforts on last two starts (including C&D) but hasn't shown enough on those outings to suggest he'll be making an impact today. |
33/1 |
Form: 12166/ D BF
Last run: 700 days
W: 9st 8lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 10 (9) |
21st Sep 2024 Good 2m 2f 0y Class 2 |
8st 6lb |
in rear on outer, in touch with leaders after 8f |
6/4 |
|
6th 8 (8) |
24th Aug 2024 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Won maiden at Goodwood in June, went close at Ascot (again 1m6f) next time and got up in the final strides for another Ascot handicap (2m) on latest outing, all on good; up another 5lb and drops back in trip, which may not suit, but he is firmly on an upward curve; trainer won two recent Melroses. |
7/1 |
Form: 72-542 C
Last run: 50 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 99
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 5 (2) |
3rd Jul 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
8st 11lb |
4yo filly whose two wins came last spring in a Southwell maiden (1m4f, AW) and Chester handicap (1m4f, good); struggled on soft ground in a 1m6f Listed race at Musselburgh this April and although she ran well when Listed fourth over 1m3f at Baden-Baden (good to soft) four weeks ago, she faded and didn't look to be crying out for this far; has a bit to find. |
14/1 |
|
5th 6 (3) |
4th Apr 2026 Good 1m 5f 216y Class 1 |
8st 11lb |
Maiden and front-running handicap winner last spring, who found her one Group and two Listed assignments much harder afterwards but those were her best form; all those were at about 1m4f but her second from off the pace at Toulouse on final outing gave hope for this longer trip; improvement needed. |
12/1 |
Form: 3244-5 D
Last run: 21 days
W: 9st 3lb
5 yo Filly
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 3 (3) |
1st Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 4f 0y Class 1 |
9st 9lb |
Reliable type whose wins have come in 1m2f and 1m6f handicaps; good fourth on her only attempts at Listed company but she'll need a personal best if she's to make a winning reappearance after ten months off. |
25/1 |
|
4th 5 (8) |
9th Oct 2025 Good To Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Kept on well to win Class 4 Goodwood handicap (good ground) when upped to this trip in June and has remained in good form since, but may have been flattered by her proximity when fourth of six in tactical Listed race at Chester (14.3f, good) in August and needs a bigger run here. |
20/1 |
Betting Forcast
2/1 Lazy Griff, 15/8 By The Book, 20/1 Duraji, 6/1 Fantasy World, 10/1 Midak, 40/1 Tactician, 7/1 Lady Vivian, 14/1 Orchard Keeper