August 31 / 15.15 Chester

15.15

Good

Virgin Bet Chester Stakes (Listed Race)

  • Prize money: £33612
  • 1m 6f 87y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
ITV
View Course
Virgin Bet Chester Stakes (Listed Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £3.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: /217-4

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 8lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Recent reappearance was probably his worst Flat run for over three years but it came after a five-month break, following his sparkling win in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham and he also won last year's Ebor on the Flat at York; a leading contender if he returns to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Absurde

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

One of three for trainer; dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); 2024 County Hurdle winner was well below his best in that race this season back from a break (2m1f, soft); improved display at Cork when 3.25l behind Ndaawi (16.5f, yielding); a good bit to find with Lossiemouth even if running to his rating, which he hasn't done so far this term.

40/1

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:50 Cork

Absurde

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Classy dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); below best after a break in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but should be sharper now and Harry Cobden has won on him before; top rated at 153 and obvious chance.

5/4

20th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Absurde

11st 13lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won this in 2024 and third last year, albeit off much lower marks; operated a little below his very best on the Flat last year, including in Australia in the autumn, which perhaps raises a few doubts as to whether he'll be able to find the career-best hurdle performance which will be needed to defy such a lofty mark.

16/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-2264 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and raised her game again this season when upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup and disappointed when she again raced freely and reverted to front-running at Goodwood four weeks ago; the one to beat judged on initial form this term and James Doyle riding her for the first time is interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(4)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 127y

Class 1

13:20 Ascot

Caius Chorister

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: David Menuisier

Ended 2023 with French 1m6f Group 3 win from the front (very soft); raised her game again this season upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings, beaten a head by Sweet William on second occasion (soft); however, she's not lived up to those performances, usually racing too freely.

66/1

2nd

8

(3)

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

15:15 Chester

Caius Chorister

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: David Menuisier

Ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and raised her game again this season when upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup and disappointed when she again raced freely and reverted to front-running at Goodwood four weeks ago; the one to beat judged on initial form this term and James Doyle riding her for the first time is interesting.

5/2

4th

1

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Caius Chorister

9st 9lb

J: Harry Bentley

T: David Menuisier

Won at this meeting in 2022; ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and better form again this season when upped to 2m and beaten a head in Group 3s at Ascot and Sandown; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup on latest outing but looks a major player today.

11/4

3rd
6 (5)
Samui

4/1

Form: 1212 BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Seen mostly over hurdles (fairly useful) but switched to the Flat this summer with two wins and two seconds from four attempts; won his Flat handicap debut at Killarney (2m1f) by 17l and found only one too good for him with a smart effort at York (2m, again good to firm) ten days ago; this drop back in trip is a worry but he has cheekpieces first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(6)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Samui

9st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Gordon Elliott

Twice ran well in defeat at Royal Ascot last month, finishing third in the Copper Horse Handicap (1m6f, good to firm) and second in the Queen Alexandra (2m5f, good to firm; albeit no match for the winner); could give a good account but needs others to underperform if he's to come out on top.

6/1

3

(7)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Samui

9st 4lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gordon Elliott

Proven in this headgear; pays his way under both codes and, if able to reproduce his effort here on Tuesday when hitting the line well for third in the 1m6f Copper Horse Stakes (good to firm), then he won't be far away on these favourable terms; the grey areas are inconsistency and the extra 7f (he did run over 3m over jumps) but he's one of only a few with realistic ambitions of winning.

11/2

3

(5)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Samui

9st 9lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Gordon Elliott

In rude health last summer, including when second off this mark in competitive handicap at York (2m, good to firm); won over hurdles in January but his form has been mixed since across both codes; below best back on Flat last time.

20/1

OUR TIP

12/1

Form: 126120 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Peak efforts on good, good to firm and AW; progressed well this term (won twice) until a rather muted display in the Ebor at York last Saturday, notwithstanding some interference; visor is back, having been replaced by blinkers on last three outings; something to find even on his best form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(2)

28th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 179y

18:40 Galway

Fairbanks

12st 2lb

J: Mr D McGill

T: William Durkan

Off the mark over hurdles at Ballinrobe in May on second start for this yard at Ballinrobe; useful five-time Flat winner for Andrew Balding; could make no impression when returning to Britain for the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot; no match for a Willie Mullins-trained favourite in a novice hurdle at Roscommon three weeks ago.

25/1

2nd

1

7th Jul 2025

Good

1m 7f 204y

18:43 Roscommon

Fairbanks

11st 8lb

J: Philip Byrnes

T: William Durkan

Off the mark over hurdles on second start for this yard at Ballinrobe (16.5f, good) in May; smart form on the Flat for Andrew Balding but came up short back on the level in a hot Royal Ascot handicap three weeks ago; top-rated here at 128; obvious chance on ground that will suit.

15/8

4

(19)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Fairbanks

9st 9lb

J: Chris Hayes

T: William Durkan

Progressive for Andrew Balding last year, winning two handicaps (1m4f/1m6f, AW/good); went over hurdles last month for his new yard and won a maiden at Ballinrobe three weeks ago; could go well now back on the Flat.

16/1

16/1

Form: /U116- CD

Last run: 300 days

W: 9st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler and more successful on the Flat, arguably career peak when making all to beat his four rivals in this race (good to soft) last year; he was on song going into that race, which is harder to tell this time round given his absence since a heavy defeat last November, but he needs respect travelling over from Ireland.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:35 Down Royal

Shanroe

10st 13lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Karl Thornton

Dual-purpose veteran has won 11 of his 39 starts under Rules but he's shown virtually nothing since a Listed Chester win on the Flat in September 2023; needs a revival.

40/1

8th

7

1st Nov 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 190y

13:35 Down Royal

Shanroe

10st 13lb

J: Eoin Staples

T: Karl Thornton

Dual-purpose veteran has won 11 of his 39 starts under Rules but he's shown virtually nothing since a Listed Chester win on the Flat in September 2023; needs a revival.

40/1

20/1

Form: 127586 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Still smart on AW last winter and went close at Riyadh in February but badly lost his way in recent outings; should spring back to life at some point but his two runs at Chester don't strongly suggest it will be today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

2

(12)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Enemy

9st 11lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ian Williams

Durable veteran who won twice on the AW early this year; however, he was soundly beaten at Newcastle on Good Friday and faces some unexposed rivals on his return to turf.

25/1

10th

3

(5)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

16:42 Newcastle (AW)

Enemy

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Snapped a losing sequence at Southwell (1m4f, Tapeta) in January before close third at Wolverhampton (2m), and returned to winning ways at Lingfield (2m, Polytrack) latest; this 9yo is in a more competitive race today but there remains mileage in his mark judged on his old form; might not be far away.

14/1

1st

4

(1)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Enemy

9st 5lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ian Williams

Still very useful at the age of nine, getting his head back in front at Southwell (1m4f) on New Year's Day; split reopposing pair Roaring Legend and Brasil Power when creditable third of six over 2m at Wolverhampton three weeks ago but he has yet to win over this trip.

4/1

Form: 103-25 D BF

Last run: 77 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Excellent second in 1m4f handicap at Newmarket in May, after last season's best form had been at about 1m6f; ran poorly in last year's Ebor at York and a good deal worse in Listed race there this June, but the wind surgery soon afterwards might have turned him around; not totally dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Real Dream

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ian Williams

Fourth in handicap in Saudi Arabia on second start this year but has not beaten a rival in two runs back in Britain; difficult to recommend.

25/1

7th

8

(5)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Real Dream

9st 2lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Ian Williams

Best effort this year, but still below peak form, when close fourth to Sons And Lovers in Group 2 handicap at Riyadh; failed to beat a rival on AW last time, hasn't won since 2023 and faces a much stiffer assignment on these terms.

66/1

13th

2

(12)

28th Mar 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:42 Kempton (AW)

Real Dream

9st 11lb

J: David Egan

T: Ian Williams

No win since July 2023 and 0-8 since joining this stable but most of those runs were creditable, including his third in this race last year and close fourth in Saudi Arabia six weeks ago; place chance.

16/1

Non-runners

Rajinsky

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £9.00
Straight Forecast £7.17
Trifecta £28.10

Selections

D Express:

Samui

RP RATINGS:

Caius Chorister

SPOTLIGHT:

Real Dream

The Times:

Absurde

Daily Mail:

Fairbanks

The Sun:

Samui

The Star:

Samui

Daily Record:

Samui

Telegraph:

Real Dream

TOPSPEED:

Caius Chorister

POSTDATA:

Caius Chorister

The Guardian:

Caius Chorister

Daily Mirror:

Absurde