15.15
Softtote Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap)
- Prize money: £76440
- 2m 2f 140y
- Class 2
- 17 runners
Runners: 17 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
13/2 (Won)
- Win: £6.00
- Place: £1.80
Form: 5/1-82
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 1lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 63y Class 2 |
11st 4lb |
Has been a money-spinner for connections over the years but recent efforts (Flat and jumps) have been subdued and he faded into a well-held fourth at Sandown (28-1) in December; well handicapped on old form but needs first-time cheekpieces to have a positive effect. |
22/1 |
|
8th 1 (4) |
29th Mar 2025 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 2 |
10st 0lb |
Easily best known for his exploits on soft/heavy ground, on the Flat winning 2022 November Handicap and 2023 Chester Cup; the latter was off same mark as today but he did not fire on all cylinders last March-July and he's run only once on AW, when finishing last over C&D in 2023; enough doubts. |
12/1 |
|
8th 1 (9) |
29th Jul 2024 Soft 2m 0f 179y |
12st 2lb |
Merit's respect on last year's Chester Cup win; unplaced in a staying handicap at Newbury in April; takes a big drop in class now after contesting Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown. |
14/1 |
7/1
- Place: £2.90
Form: 13734-
Last run: 216 days
W: 8st 11lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 (10) |
13th Sep 2025 Good 1m 7f 196y Class 2 |
9st 2lb |
Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups; he didn't quite reproduce that form in the 2023 or 2024 campaigns, however, and tailed off at Royal Ascot on first attempt this season; comfortably held in fourth in this race last year; this does not look the time to catch him. |
7/1 |
|
19th 11 (8) |
17th Jun 2025 Good 2m 3f 210y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Second, first and third in the last three Chester Cups and not far away in this race two years ago; back up 3lb since latest Chester Cup, however, and he didn't quite reproduce the Chester form in either the 2023 or 2024 campaigns. |
20/1 |
|
3rd 8 (4) |
9th May 2025 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
8st 11lb |
led narrowly, headed after 1f, soon prominent on inner, no extra final 110yds |
10/1 |
15/2
- Place: £1.30
Form: 0320-2 C
Last run: 21 days
W: 8st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 88
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17th 8 (12) |
8th May 2026 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Bang there every time in his four races at Chester, including the Cup in 2023 but absent 758 days afterwards; back to life at Newbury (2m, good) three weeks ago, making all in a six-runner race; has a 3lb penalty and drawn higher than ideal but he was another 6lb higher at his peak and has returned to serious calculations. |
12/1 |
|
1st 7 (2) |
17th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 110y Class 3 |
8st 7lb |
5-25; second in this race in 2023 and close third in the Chester Cup (2m2f, again on soft; favourite off 9lb higher than today) that May but absent for 758 days afterwards; while not disgraced on reappearance last October, he then tailed off on AW last month; major questions to answer regarding the ground and what he's currently capable of. |
33/1 |
|
9th 1 (9) |
4th Mar 2026 Standard 2m 2f 98y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
5-24; close third in the Chester Cup (2m2f, soft; 11-4 favourite) in May 2023; off for 758 days thereafter; weakened inside the final furlong when fourth of eight at Nottingham (2m, good; 33-1) in October; off since; now 2lb lower for first AW appearance since July 2022. |
14/1 |
20/1
- Place: £7.10
Form: /53-00
Last run: 98 days
W: 8st 8lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 5 (10) |
9th May 2025 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
The vast majority of last year was disappointing; however, perhaps first time up will be the time to catch him as he reappeared with a good third in this 12 months ago; now 12lb lower; could be dangerous. |
14/1 |
|
5th 5 (10) |
9th May 2025 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
The vast majority of last year was disappointing; however, perhaps first time up will be the time to catch him as he reappeared with a good third in this 12 months ago; now 12lb lower; could be dangerous. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 6 |
13th Dec 2024 Soft 2m 0f 145y Class 4 |
11st 0lb |
took keen hold, brief headway and went remote fourth after 3 out, mistake 2 out, went remote third run-in, no match for first two |
11/2 |
10/1
Form: 419-16
Last run: 9 days
W: 9st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 1 (6) |
20th Nov 2024 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Beat Trueshan when landing Nottingham Listed contest last April but little to shout about of late; failed to beat a rival in two runs since returning from 405 days off in September; Polytrack debut (has won on Tapeta). |
14/1 |
|
6th 1 (6) |
20th Nov 2024 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Beat Trueshan when landing Nottingham Listed contest last April but little to shout about of late; failed to beat a rival in two runs since returning from 405 days off in September; Polytrack debut (has won on Tapeta). |
14/1 |
|
4th 2 (1) |
21st Oct 2024 Soft 2m 2f 2y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
led at slow pace, headed 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong |
15/2 |
8/1
Form: 3370-4
Last run: 62 days
W: 9st 4lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 100
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (1) |
3rd Sep 2024 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 4lb |
held up in rear |
8/1 |
|
9th 1 |
4th Aug 2023 Heavy 2m 4f 97y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Cast-iron stayer who nearly always gives his running and after solid efforts at Chester (2m2f, soft) and Royal Ascot (2m4f, good) he bagged last month's Northumberland Plate (2m AW) by half a length; won this two years ago and later that campaign nearly won the November Handicap off this very mark; no ground preferences; hard to knock. |
5/1 |
10/1
Form: 213-59 CD
Last run: 20 days
W: 8st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd 2 |
21st Jul 2025 Good 2m 1f 46y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Useful Flat stayer who has made the frame on all three hurdling starts; left behind by wide-margin winner when second here (2m6f, soft) last month but that was still a good effort and he's a contender over this shorter trip. |
5/1 |
|
5 |
27th Jun 2025 Good 2m 6f 31y Class 4 |
11st 4lb |
Useful Flat performer and was running okay (beaten 5l in the Chester Cup) until below par last time with a visor back on (now discarded); two respectable efforts over hurdles last year, notably when second in an Aintree maiden; every chance; has no clear ground preferences. |
7/4 |
|
4 (7) |
24th May 2025 Good To Firm 2m 0f 46y Class 2 |
8st 13lb |
Often ridden by Zak Wheatley; slow starts have been interfering with what used to be a front-running role; best known for exploits at Chester, admittedly last winning any race in July 2023; ran creditably off this mark in good handicaps both starts this term, sixth in the Chester Cup last time, but he was third in this race last year and may come up a bit short once again. |
4/1 |
25/1
Form: 5024-3
Last run: 41 days
W: 8st 9lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 5 (5) |
29th Mar 2024 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-14 since, but he's finished a respectable fourth at Kempton (2m) in his last two runs and is now 1lb lower than for last win; shouldn't far away. |
8/1 |
|
4th 1 (3) |
13th Mar 2024 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
Completed a four-timer over 1m4f/1m6f on Polytrack at the end of 2021; 0-13 since, but was back off his last winning mark when a close fourth of 12 over C&D in January (runner-up has won since); possibilities in the returning blinkers. |
3/1 |
|
4th 2 (4) |
6th Jan 2024 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 4 |
10st 2lb |
Winless since 2021 but his AW record is a solid one and he shaped nicely after a break when fourth of seven over an inadequate 1m4f at Wolverhampton four weeks ago; returns to a more suitable trip and high on the list. |
7/2 |
33/1
Form: 36/69-
Last run: 371 days
W: 9st 1lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 97
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 5 (1) |
6th Nov 2024 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
midfield, outpaced over 3f out, kept on but not pace to challenge |
14/1 |
|
4th 5 (1) |
6th Nov 2024 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
9st 12lb |
midfield |
14/1 |
12/1
Form: 3265-4
Last run: 34 days
W: 9st 5lb
10 yo Gelding
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 9 (10) |
26th Oct 2024 Soft 1m 2f 43y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
11yo who has won just once since 2021 but that came at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) this June; has run well several times this year, including when fourth of 13 at York (1m2f, soft) a fortnight ago, and might not be far away. |
20/1 |
|
4th 5 (6) |
12th Oct 2024 Soft 1m 2f 56y Class 2 |
9st 0lb |
11yo now but he's had a few bright moments this season, including second of eight to Kihavah at Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) three weeks ago; his sixth of 20 in the John Smith's Cup over C&D in July shows he's still effective over shorter trips. |
20/1 |
|
2nd 3 (5) |
21st Sep 2024 Good 1m 5f 26y Class 3 |
9st 12lb |
in touch with leaders against rail, going okay 3f out, keeping on and went second over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, no match for winner |
6/1 |
12/1
Form: 2124-8
Last run: 21 days
W: 8st 13lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 95
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 10 |
1st Aug 2025 Good 2m 4f 97y Class 2 |
8st 2lb |
No win since 2022 but has a pretty solid record over 2m here, most recently when beaten just under 3l on penultimate start; second in the 2022 Cesarewitch over 2m2f but he came 11th in the last two renewals of this race; worse than good to soft ground looks against him. |
16/1 |
|
8 (2) |
1st Jul 2025 Standard To Slow 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 2lb |
Useful on his day; no win since 2022 but has shaped encouragingly at Chelmsford (1m6f) and Goodwood (2m) this term, staying on both times; can't be dismissed off current mark. |
10/1 |
|
7 (3) |
23rd May 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 6lb |
Finished fourth in this race last year, then second here next time; ran encouragingly in AW event on reappearance; capable of being involved but is badly out of the winning habit, with losing spell going back to 2022. |
8/1 |
10/1
Form: 8/210-
Last run: 188 days
W: 9st 6lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 102
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4 (2) |
23rd May 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Capable of useful form on Flat and over jumps; however, hasn't scored under this code since 2022 and needs to improve on his 2025 AW efforts; admittedly this 8yo may benefit from today's drop back in class. |
20/1 |
|
4 (2) |
23rd May 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 3 |
9st 10lb |
Capable of useful form on Flat and over jumps; however, hasn't scored under this code since 2022 and needs to improve on his 2025 AW efforts; admittedly this 8yo may benefit from today's drop back in class. |
20/1 |
|
5 (12) |
18th Apr 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
8st 12lb |
Fine servant to his team but hasn't got his head in front since winning a four-runner chase in late 2023; 33-1 and never dangerous back on the Flat three weeks ago at Kempton (2m). |
16/1 |
18/1
Form: 48123- BF
Last run: 203 days
W: 8st 9lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8th 7 (8) |
31st May 2026 Good 2m 0f 13y Class 3 |
9st 7lb |
Rediscovered the knack for new stable last year, including two front-running wins over 2m in four-runner Flat races and two places when the action got more competitive; returned to some hurdles form on last two outings in that sphere; a lesser show on Musselburgh Flat in between was over 1m6f but this race may also prove too tough. |
16/1 |
|
4th 15 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 81y |
10st 8lb |
Four-time Flat winner is 2-19 over hurdles; 8l behind Laughing John when runner up in qualifier for this at Wincanton on penultimate; modest run on the level at Musselburgh on latest; others make more appeal. |
12/1 |
66/1
Form: 26970-
Last run: 181 days
W: 8st 5lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 87
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 1 |
27th Aug 2024 Good To Firm 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
5-9 over fences, the latest win gained in very strongly run race at Cartmel (2m1f, good) in May; well down the field in two competitive contests since but in calmer waters today and has a fighting chance if back on song. |
5/1 |
|
13th 1 |
20th Jul 2024 Good 2m 5f 89y Class 1 |
12st 0lb |
Flat background; made a successful return to fences (fifth win in this discipline) at Cartmel (2m1f, good) and didn't give himself a chance at Uttoxeter by racing too freely; wouldn't be a certain stayer over this far. |
12/1 |
|
12th 2 |
30th Jun 2024 Good 1m 7f 214y Class 2 |
11st 12lb |
Returned from break with two low-key Flat runs this year but came from behind to win Cartmel chase (2m1f, good) comfortably by 6l when back over jumps last month; was probably flattered by the way that very strongly run race panned out but is now 5-7 over fences (including a C&D win). |
5/1 |
6/1
Form: 46518- CD
Last run: 187 days
W: 9st 12lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 108
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17 |
29th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 3f 58y |
11st 6lb |
Chester Cup winner in 2021, also a 2m Curragh Group 3 winner in 2023; seven Flat wins in all; at the veteran stage now; four seasons since his only hurdles success. |
20/1 |
|
6th 5 (6) |
3rd Apr 2026 Soft 1m 6f 0y |
9st 5lb |
Veteran who got his seventh Flat win at Gowran last April (1m6f, yielding); hasn't counted in four handicaps since and finished last of the 20 runners at Naas when last seen in October; others preferred. |
25/1 |
|
5 (9) |
12th Oct 2025 Yielding 2m 0f 7y |
9st 4lb |
Veteran who got his seventh Flat win at Gowran in April (1m6f, yielding); hasn't counted in three handicap runs since and was well behind in the Irish Cesarewitch latest, although reportedly struck into; others preferred. |
40/1 |
40/1
Form: 15340-
Last run: 230 days
W: 9st 7lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (3) |
18th Jul 2023 Soft 2m 0f 32y Class 3 |
10st 4lb |
raced in fourth, detached and pushed along after 1f, looked to go wrong and pulled up halfway |
16/1 |
|
7th 1 (7) |
27th May 2023 Good To Firm 2m 0f 45y Class 2 |
9st 13lb |
Better than ever for Ian Williams last year and he runs off his last winning mark; made his stable and seasonal debut at Chester a fortnight ago and has never run well there, but he was tailed off and there is a big question mark regarding his current form. |
33/1 |
|
16th 3 (9) |
12th May 2023 Soft 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 7lb |
Had a fine summer last season in final campaign for Ian Williams; ran well in 2018 on soft and heavy but peak efforts have been when the ground is less testing; stays very well but he has not shone in his four visits to Chester, including last two editions of this race. |
40/1 |
16/1
Form: -14166
Last run: 21 days
W: 8st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 9 (4) |
10th May 2024 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
8st 9lb |
Dual Polytrack winner; won just the second of his eight handicaps but clocked up two placings in hot 2m races on good or good to firm last summer (neck second to Forza Orta at York) before a disappointing show in September when last seen; gelded since; seriously involved if back to form and it looks like he'll have his ground; in the mix. |
11/2 |
|
4th 9 (4) |
10th May 2024 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
8st 9lb |
Dual Polytrack winner; won just the second of his eight handicaps but clocked up two placings in hot 2m races on good or good to firm last summer (neck second to Forza Orta at York) before a disappointing show in September when last seen; gelded since; seriously involved if back to form and it looks like he'll have his ground; in the mix. |
11/2 |
Non-runners
Aztec Empire
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £86.20 |
| Straight Forecast | £60.18 |
| Tricast | £189.23 |
| Trifecta | £385.20 |
Selections
RP RATINGS:
Call My BluffLAMBOURN:
Call My BluffDaily Mail:
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Falcon Eight