15.05
GoodLadbrokes Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPus Race)
- Prize money: £86632
- 2m 2f 140y
- Class 2
- 15 runners
Runners: 15 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Partly cloudy
7/2 (Won)
- Win: £3.25
- Place: £1.40
Form: 04314-
Last run: 238 days
W: 8st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 89
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 (6) |
25th Sep 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat for the Chester Cup (2m2f) in May; respectable efforts off 8lb higher when sixth of 20 in the Ascot Stakes and Northumberland Plate in June; freshened up since; needs improvement to win at this level. |
5/1 |
|
6th 4 (14) |
28th Jun 2025 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat for the Chester Cup (2m2f) in May; sixth off this 8lb higher mark at Royal Ascot (2m4f) was right up with that form and he's a player if this AW surface (sole race on one was as 2yo, finished last) proves suitable. |
6/1 |
|
6th 7 (18) |
17th Jun 2025 Good 2m 3f 210y Class 2 |
9st 8lb |
One of the top juvenile hurdlers last season and he justified warm favouritism when returned to the Flat in 15-runner Chester Cup (2m2f, good) over five weeks ago, never far away before strength of stamina took him to the front inside the final 1f; below-form outsider last April/June on his only two starts on good to firm (one at this meeting); up 8lb since Chester but may well be capable of another advance if the ground is okay. |
9/2 |
6/1
- Place: £2.20
Form: 11-111
Last run: 12 days
W: 8st 7lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 1 (7) |
1st May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 7f 209y Class 1 |
9st 11lb |
Much improved last year, best effort to land the Group 1 Cadran at Longchamp (2m4f, soft) in October; close second in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan (2m, good) was a fine start to this campaign and his run on good to firm at Royal Ascot last June, although subsequently eclipsed, looked excellent at the time; needs respect but concedes weight all round. |
7/2 |
|
8th 4 (12) |
6th Sep 2025 Good 1m 6f 1y Class 2 |
9st 6lb |
Highly progressive and prolific over the last 12 months or so, winning here (2m, good) in May before fine second of 16 in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm); he may be okay on slow ground; could play a leading role if at the top of his game after 81 days off. |
6/1 |
|
12 (9) |
17th Jun 2025 Good 1m 6f 34y Class 2 |
9st 4lb |
Completed a five-timer (1m5f-2m) in April before close second of 15 in the Chester Cup (2m2f, good) last month; returned to winning ways in small field at Haydock (2m, good) last time; he's 9lb higher than at Chester but has been highly progressive and could still have more left in the tank. |
11/2 |
10/1
- Place: £3.50
Form: 00940- CD
Last run: 222 days
W: 8st 11lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 91
| 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 |
4/1
Form: 8/13-1
Last run: 41 days
W: 8st 10lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 91
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 2 (4) |
15th May 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 8lb |
Fourth in Chester Cup and Ascot Stakes last season, won a four-runner St Leger Trial at the Curragh in August, readily brushing aside front-running Dallas Star; failed to do himself justice when tailed off in the Irish St Leger, made late progress into fourth behind Scandinavia at Navan on return; should be sharper now and may reverse form with runner-up Dallas Star. |
8/1 |
|
4th 3 (3) |
25th Apr 2026 Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 8lb |
Stepped outside of handicap company (fourth in Chester Cup and in Ascot Stakes) to win a four-runner St Leger Trial at the Curragh last August, readily brushing aside front-running Dallas Star in the final furlong; faced a very stiff task but ran no sort of race when tailed off in the Irish St Leger. |
14/1 |
|
9th 6 (8) |
14th Sep 2025 Good To Yielding 1m 6f 0y |
9st 10lb |
Stepped outside of handicap company to land 4-runner St Leger Trial over C&D last month, readily brushing aside front-running Dallas Star final furlong; lot more on his plate here. |
20/1 |
11/2
Form: 4215-2 C
Last run: 41 days
W: 8st 12lb
4 yo Gelding
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
15th 4 (17) |
8th May 2026 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 10lb |
9-1 when fifth in the Chester Cup last year for Andrew Balding, which is as good as he's ever been on Flat; 7lb lower today, having been right off the boil for that yard later in 2025; recent hurdle efforts for new stable aren't enough to persuade, especially given such a wide draw. |
33/1 |
|
2nd 5 |
1st Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 188y Class 4 |
11st 5lb |
A useful winning stayer on the Flat for Andrew Balding; yet to match that form in this sphere but he posted his best effort when third of ten in 2m4f handicap at Musselburgh 12 days ago; not out of things on this stiffer track. |
5/2 |
|
3rd 6 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 171y Class 2 |
10st 12lb |
He could do with settling better than when tailed off in Doncaster maiden (2m3f, soft) last month; however, he was very talented on the Flat in his prime and showed some promise on his first two hurdle starts (2m4f/2m1f, good to soft); not discounted now tackling his first handicap hurdle. |
16/1 |
12/1
Form: 2360-6 CD
Last run: 20 days
W: 8st 10lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| 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 |
16/1
Form: 8110-5 C
Last run: 28 days
W: 8st 10lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
10th 5 (10) |
8th May 2026 Good 2m 2f 140y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
One of three for the yard; won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, AW) last June and has a 4-7 record at Chester, although his two performances in this race were muted (from double-figure draws); reappearance six weeks ago matched his best 2025 form but a bit extra will be needed. |
14/1 |
|
3rd 3 (4) |
28th Mar 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 2 |
9st 13lb |
Won the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle (2m, Tapeta) last June and bagged a second valuable 2m handicap success of the year at Chester in September; however, disappointing in this race in 2024 on his only race at Kempton and this stage of the season may not be the time to catch him. |
7/1 |
|
5 (1) |
25th Sep 2025 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 1 |
9st 5lb |
Held on determinedly in the Northumberland Plate in June and bagged a second valuable 2m handicap success of the year when leading late on at Chester (good to soft) 12 days ago; should give another good account but would struggle to live with an on-song Palladium and/or Live Your Dream. |
10/1 |
50/1
Form: 54/59-
Last run: 209 days
W: 8st 2lb
9 yo Gelding
OR: 82
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 (6) |
17th Apr 2026 Good To Firm 2m 1f 24y Class 5 |
9st 2lb |
Veteran who hasn't won since 2023 but he's been in fair form on AW this spring including when fourth on Polytrack (2m) in his last two starts; should be in the mix again but he needs to find more to make a big impact; cheekpieces are removed and blinkers return. |
9/2 |
|
4th 4 (1) |
6th Apr 2026 Standard To Slow 1m 7f 218y Class 5 |
9st 12lb |
Veteran who hasn't won since 2023; expensive to follow in recent times but he arrives in form and this is a touch easier again off a career-low mark; can't be left out of calculations. |
4/1 |
|
4th 4 (4) |
20th Mar 2026 Standard 1m 7f 169y Class 5 |
9st 7lb |
Losing run dates back to July 2023; conditions are no problem for this veteran and he has been running respectably of late; others appeal more all the same. |
8/1 |
12/1
Form: 580-23
Last run: 9 days
W: 9st 7lb
7 yo Filly
OR: 101
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 4 (5) |
20th Oct 2025 Good 2m 2f 2y Class 2 |
9st 1lb |
0-6 this year but has often run really well, finishing second at Goodwood (2m, heavy) last month and fourth of 22 in the Cesarewitch (2m2f, good to firm) nine days ago; she's a leading candidate today. |
2/5 |
|
2 (4) |
11th Oct 2025 Good 2m 2f 0y Class 2 |
9st 5lb |
No win this year but she's run with credit every time except for in the Chester Cup; serious traffic problems when fifth of 20 off today's mark at Royal Ascot (2m4f, good to firm) on penultimate start; each-way player. |
12/1 |
|
1 (2) |
2nd Sep 2025 Soft 2m 0f 0y Class 2 |
10st 2lb |
Perhaps handicapped about right but was bang there in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes (good to firm) when last seen in June and today's softer surface will be welcomed; good chance. |
9/4 |
9/1
Form: 7233-1
Last run: 76 days
W: 8st 12lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 93
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th 12 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 4f 0y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Has performed well in several notable handicaps, including a strong success at Windsor (2m; beat the subsequent County winner) in January and good second at the Cheltenham Festival (upped to 2m4f, soft) last time; solid contender who looks set for another big run. |
13/2 |
|
2nd 23 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 2m 4f 56y Class 2 |
11st 1lb |
Fairly useful hurdler at about 2m and ran creditably (lost two places close home; finished fourth) in the Fred Winter at this meeting 12 months ago; bagged a valuable pot at Windsor (soft) in January but form dipped last time; goes into unknown territory over this longer distance. |
33/1 |
|
6 |
28th Feb 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 51y Class 2 |
11st 7lb |
5yo who races prominently and has been progressive this season in some competitive handicaps, finishing second at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December and winning at Windsor (2m, soft) last month; up 5lb for last time but he did it nicely and could continue to improve; respected. |
8/1 |
66/1
Form: 5250-3
Last run: 66 days
W: 8st 10lb
5 yo Colt
OR: 90
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6th 7 (2) |
1st Jun 2026 Good To Firm 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
8st 12lb |
Third in his last three starts, but may not have achieved that much and remains without a win on the Flat since the end of 2023; others more compelling. |
9/1 |
|
3rd 5 (4) |
22nd May 2026 Good To Soft 2m 1f 27y Class 4 |
8st 10lb |
Comes here on the back of two third-place finishes but the latest was behind Trojan Soldier and there is no obvious reason why the placings would be reversed. |
10/1 |
|
3rd 5 (7) |
17th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 5 |
9st 9lb |
There was some restoration of his Flat fortunes when third of five at Southwell (1m6f, AW; stays 2m) on latest start but he's without a win on the Flat since the end of 2023; has another career-low mark but it's hard to know when he will take advantage. |
7/1 |
20/1
Form: 311-43
Last run: 12 days
W: 9st 2lb
5 yo Gelding
OR: 96
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 4 (8) |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 50y Class 1 |
9st 4lb |
Progressive on AW in the winter with 2m handicap wins at Kempton and Newcastle; however, only fifth of 12 at Newcastle (2m) last month and the suitability of turf is questionable. |
40/1 |
|
5th 1 (8) |
3rd Apr 2026 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Second in this in 2024 and fourth last year; won at Kempton (2m) in December and followed up by 3l over this C&D in January; this 6yo is on a career-high mark but is clearly thriving and has to be respected. |
11/2 |
|
1st 2 (4) |
16th Jan 2026 Standard 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 9lb |
Ran on well to seal the deal over 2m at Kempton last month, taking his record there to 5-7; only 3lb higher and has plenty of form here, including a placing in the Northumberland Plate; player. |
7/2 |
25/1
Form: 31-125
Last run: 12 days
W: 8st 12lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 92
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 4 |
28th May 2026 Good 2m 0f 0y Class 4 |
11st 13lb |
Dual hurdle winner who is 0-4 in handicaps; however, he should be on a fair mark given the level of his Flat ability and he ran quite well in a valuable Newmarket handicap at the Guineas meeting; player. |
9/4 |
|
7th 9 (8) |
3rd May 2026 Good To Firm 1m 6f 0y Class 2 |
8st 10lb |
Had underwhelming hurdle and AW campaigns before his second of five when returned to Flat turf at Beverley (2m) 18 days ago; this demands markedly better and his 2024 and 2025 turf records aren't that persuasive. |
25/1 |
|
2nd 1 (3) |
15th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 32y Class 3 |
10st 0lb |
Second to Sax Appeal over C&D and successful over 1m6f at Wolverhampton (both off 2lb higher than today) last July; it's hard to be enthused by his more recent efforts, including well held at Newcastle on Good Friday, but this is a much less competitive scenario. |
4/1 |
20/1
Form: 3561-6
Last run: 47 days
W: 9st 9lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 2 (4) |
3rd Jun 2026 Good 1m 6f 0y |
9st 9lb |
No wins last season but strong form in defeat in big staying handicaps; fourth in the amateur handicap at Galway, fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch and signed off with a fine second in the Cesarewitch; recent run here was over an inadequate trip, more expected of here and seemingly McMonagle's pick. |
10/1 |
|
12th 1 (7) |
23rd May 2026 Good To Yielding 1m 2f 0y |
10st 1lb |
No wins last season but strong form in defeat in big staying handicaps; fourth in the amateur handicap at Galway, fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch and signed off with a fine second in the Cesarewitch; runs over an inadequate trip here on second start of the season. |
16/1 |
|
8th 1 (3) |
30th Mar 2026 Heavy 1m 6f 0y |
10st 2lb |
No wins last season but ran some excellent races in defeat; finished fourth in the QR handicap at Galway, fifth in the Irish Cesarewitch and then signed off with a fine second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket; course winner over hurdles but might just need this run. |
6/1 |
33/1
Form: 1/442- BF
Last run: 356 days
W: 8st 3lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 84
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
11th 5 (5) |
19th Sep 2024 Good 1m 0f 0y |
9st 2lb |
Was slowly away and never got involved in a barrier trial at Leopardstown last month; half-sister to Group 1 winner and likely to do better at some stage but possibly best watched at present. |
20/1 |
Non-runners
Chemistry, Liam Swagger
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £21.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £14.55 |
| Tricast | £151.74 |
| Trifecta | £241.30 |