May 07 / 15.05 Chester

15.05

Good

Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings)

  • Prize money: £79394
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
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Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

13/8 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 115-2

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
One of two runners for a trainer who has landed this prize ten times; Listed winner in France last term; good second to odds-on stablemate in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding) on reappearance, shaping as if this longer trip will suit; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

7

(1)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Lambourn

9st 3lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Winner of the 2025 Derby; has worn cheekpieces this season, gamely beating Bay City Roller in the Huxley at Chester (good-ground Group 2) then failing by a long way to confirm the placings in a one-sided Coronation Cup on softer going; behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in that contest and is still a tad inferior to that horse on ratings but it will be interesting to see what he can do in the retained headgear returned to a forecast faster surface.

20/1

3rd

6

(6)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Lambourn

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Most wins on good ground but has form on soft; held on by only a neck from Bay City Roller on better terms in the Huxley (1m2f Group 2) at Chester on seasonal debut but proved game in first-time cheekpieces and, based on Ryan Moore's post-race comments, will come on for the run; notable contender in the retained headgear returned to the scene of his biggest moment, namely a clearcut success in last year's Derby (followed up in the Irish version).

13/2

12/1

  • Place: £4.70

Form: 20131-

Last run: 228 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Well held at Royal Ascot but progressive otherwise last year, latterly in France; remains to be seen whether he can transfer the form of Chantilly Group 3 win (1m1f, good) back to home soil.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(1)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

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

3rd

8

(2)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Lazy Griff

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Runner-up in the Derby at Epsom (1m4f, good) last June and kept on well for third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh (1m4f, good) later that month; absent since but this lightly raced 4yo could be suited by the step up in trip and he's a major player if ready to rumble after his absence.

7/2

3

(4)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Lazy Griff

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Made all in a Group 3 at Chantilly (1m1f, good) on final 2yo start; has matured into a high-class performer, outrunning his odds on two occasions, 25-1 when making Lambourn work for victory in the Chester Vase and 50-1 when chasing home the same opponent in the Derby; stays well and would benefit from further easing in the ground.

10/1

OUR TIP
3rd
1 (3)
Convergent

5/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1-1

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Two from two, namely novice wins at Redcar (1m/1m2f, soft/good); readily justified short odds last time and brings potential to this higher grade, upped further in distance; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

(4)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket (July)

Convergent

9st 8lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Tailed off in the mud in his Group 1 attempts last November and last month, latterly in the Coronation Cup at Epsom; progressive otherwise, including two Group wins last autumn and another at Newbury (1m4f, good; Tenability a close third) this April; that Newbury performance makes him a serious contender on form but he's not raced on ground firmer than good.

2/1

5th

3

(3)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Convergent

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Scored on soft ground on debut; flopped in the German race won by Bay City Roller but otherwise progressive and overcame trouble to defy a Group 2 penalty in Group 3 contest at Newbury (1m4f, good) on seasonal debut, taking record to 5-8; about 3l behind Lambourn at Chester last term but is now in the same ball park as that opponent on ratings, with a chance of further improvement to boot; adds great interest to this race.

13/2

6/1

Form: 51-

Last run: 144 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Frankel colt whose siblings include a Group 1 winner; made late headway over 7f in sole start for Sir Michael Stoute then justified favouritism at Southwell (1m, AW) where he was well on top at the finish; gives the impression he'll be suited by middle distances; promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Pinhole

9st 0lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Impressive in small-field handicap at Ascot (1m4f, good) in July; soundly beaten when fifth of six in Group 3 at Newbury (13.2f, good to firm) since but this lightly raced 3yo is not written off in view of the Ascot promise.

7/1

5th

6

(5)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 61y

Class 1

13:50 Newbury

Pinhole

8st 12lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Ralph Beckett

Co-favourite for the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) but came eighth, with Furthur 4l ahead in second; evens with these cheekpieces enlisted for a five-runner handicap back at Ascot (1m4f, good) three weeks ago and this time he lived up to market expectations, leading over 1f out to win by just over 5l despite racing a bit freely early on; that much improved form makes him look a strong contender for this 1m5f Group 3.

2/1

1st

4

(3)

25th Jul 2025

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Pinhole

9st 9lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Fourth in a strong Chester Vase (1m4f) on reappearance; performed below market expectations in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f) since but again ran well on bare figures and although raised 5lb he dips into calmer waters in this handicap; raced only four times and still has potential; respected, assuming he takes well to first-time headgear.

10/11

11/1

Form: 72-1

Last run: 25 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Thrice-raced colt; made a successful reappearance in Newbury maiden (1m3f, good) that threw up the winners of this race in 2018 and 2024; possibilities with further progress on the cards.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

16:10 Sandown

Furthur

9st 2lb

J: James Doyle

T: Andrew Balding

Both wins have been at Newbury, in a maiden over 1m3f last April and a Group 3 over 1m5f (good to firm) last August; respectable sixth in the St Leger in September but he's been below that level in all four starts since, including when beating only Duke Of Oxford home over this C&D in May; drops back to 2m having contested the Gold Cup two weeks ago.

5/1

10th

8

(6)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

16:15 Ascot

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Second to Carmers in bunched finish to 1m6f Queen's Vase here last year and impressive in Group 3 at Newbury (1m5f, again good to firm) last August; he's been put firmly in his place on all four outings since, however, beaten just over 4l behind Scandinavia and Rahiebb in the St Leger at Doncaster on first occasion, which was creditable, but singularly underwhelming this season in Yorkshire Cup and 2m Sandown Group 3; needs a huge turnaround.

66/1

6th

7

(6)

28th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 50y

Class 1

18:12 Sandown

Furthur

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

He hasn't kicked on since beating Epic Poet to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newbury (1m5f, good to firm) last August and failed to threaten when fourth in the Yorkshire Cup at York three weeks ago; however, he could improve for that first outing since finishing mid-division in the Melbourne Cup (gelded between those starts); this 4yo remains one to be interested in.

4/1

8/1

Form: 314- BF

Last run: 200 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Blinkered in his 2yo starts but won well at Listowel (7f, good) the second time; subsequently ran below market expectations in 1m1f Group 3 at Leopardstown and is deserted by Ryan Moore, who prefers stablemate Lambourn; headgear retained.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(1)

20th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

Blinkered all starts; promoted to first in Group 3 at the Curragh (1m2f, good) in May, making most and bumped 1f out in a very tight finish; improved again when 80-1 in the Irish Derby at same track (1m4f, good) in June, albeit seventh of ten and coming about four and a half lengths behind winner Lambourn, therefore having something to find with him today.

66/1

10

(3)

29th Jun 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

16:10 Curragh

Thrice

9st 2lb

J: Declan McDonogh

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; remote sixth behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase on return; much better when a promoted winner of the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes over 1m2f at this venue, outperforming shorter-priced stablemate Shackleton.

50/1

2nd

4

(2)

23rd May 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

18:55 Curragh

Thrice

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Won a 7f Listowel maiden last year and was fourth in a Leopardstown Group 3 on soft over 1m1f; however, was beaten a long way over 1m4f in the Chester Vase on return and appears to be the yard's second-string today.

8/1

Form: 00807-

Last run: 230 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Irish colt who is the only maiden in this field, has a mountain to climb on ratings and isn't a certain stayer over this new trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Wetherby

Faire La Nouba

11st 0lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Modest Flat maiden in Ireland who was a well-held seventh over hurdles on his penultimate start; has been gelded; opposable.

100/1

6th

3

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Wetherby

Faire La Nouba

11st 0lb

J: Mr P J O’Neill

T: John F O’Neill

Modest Flat maiden in Ireland who was a well-held seventh over hurdles on his penultimate start; has been gelded; opposable.

100/1

Form: 9111-

Last run: 193 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Showed his 2yo progress on good, good to soft and heavy ground; comfortably bagged Listed honours at Chantilly (1m1f) the final time, taking record to 3-4; major player on ratings upped further in trip and helps to give Ralph Beckett, who also runs Pinhole, a strong hand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

16th Jul 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:37 Worcester

Square DAlboni

11st 5lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Useful Flat performer who made it third-time lucky over hurdles with a dominant display after wind surgery at Stratford (2m2f, good to firm) two weeks ago; just about sets the standard under a penalty and he could have a lot more to offer in this sphere; strong contender.

4/5

1st

8

30th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 2f 148y

Class 4

18:48 Stratford

Square DAlboni

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2yo Listed winner on the Flat; made a promising start over hurdles when third at Newbury (2m, good to soft) in January but was well beaten at short odds at Catterick (2m, soft) later that month; subsequently underwent wind surgery and, if able to reproduce his earlier effort, he's firmly in the mix on this comeback.

4/5

7th

7

30th Jan 2026

Soft

1m 7f 156y

Class 4

13:10 Catterick

Square DAlboni

10st 12lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

2yo Listed winner for Ralph Beckett who was 0-5 on the Flat last year; fairly encouraging start to hurdle career when third of 11 at 12-1 at Newbury (2m, good to soft) this month; open to improvement in this code and top trainer has 39% strike-rate here in last five seasons; leading claims.

5/6

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £35.60
Straight Forecast £41.76
Tricast £127.38
Trifecta £170.90

Selections

POSTDATA:

Lambourn

RP RATINGS:

Square d'Alboni

The Times:

Convergent

SPOTLIGHT:

Pinhole

LAMBOURN:

Furthur

The Guardian:

Lambourn

D Express:

Lambourn

The Sun:

Lambourn

The Star:

Lambourn

Daily Record:

Lambourn

Telegraph:

Convergent

Daily Mail:

Pinhole

TOPSPEED:

Square d'Alboni

Daily Mirror:

Square d'Alboni