14.40
GoodVirgin Bet Chester Stakes (Listed Race)
- Prize money: £34026
- 1m 6f 87y
- Class 1
- 6 runners
Runners: 6 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
9/4
Form: 178-44 C
Last run: 77 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 1 |
18th Apr 2026 Good 2m 0f 145y Class 4 |
11st 10lb |
Very smart Flat horse for Andrew Balding; had wind surgery after his one blip over hurdles and then won at Musselburgh despite a slipping saddle (2m1f, good to soft); carries a penalty but looks a major player. |
5/2 |
|
1st 1 |
20th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 2m 1f 87y Class 4 |
11st 6lb |
1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat in 2024; promising second on hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) in December; took backwards step at Catterick (2m3f, good to soft) in January but has had wind surgery since and he's a key player if back on song; versatile ground-wise. |
2/1 |
|
4th 4 |
21st Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 66y Class 4 |
11st 2lb |
1m6f Group 3 winner on the Flat for Andrew Balding in July 2024; promising second on last month's hurdle/stable debut at Wetherby (2m, soft) and this step up in trip may well be a positive; he's one to consider. |
5/2 |
14/1
Form: —
Last run: —
W: 9st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: —
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4th 1 |
17th Jun 2026 Good 2m 4f 0y Class 3 |
12st 0lb |
Well beaten on all four starts this year, the latest over 2m7f at Uttoxeter last month (race he won in 2025); dips into a much less competitive event here, though, and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye. |
9/2 |
|
7th 2 |
16th May 2026 Good 2m 7f 70y Class 2 |
11st 9lb |
Won this race off this mark in 2025 (good; 2-1 favourite) having run poorly on his previous start; was rather disappointing later on last season and has a bit to prove at present. |
14/1 |
|
14th 7 |
11th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 3m 0f 149y Class 1 |
11st 3lb |
Second in the C&D Grade 1 novice at this meeting last year; went on to finish first and second in handicaps over the extended 2m7f at Uttoxeter at the start of the summer but well below par both starts since a break, latterly at the Cheltenham Festival; combination of first-time cheekpieces and a return to this C&D needs to spark a revival. |
40/1 |
10/1
Form: -64P00 D
Last run: 74 days
W: 9st 8lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 103
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9th 2 (9) |
19th Aug 2026 Good 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
8yo whose 11th success came over 1m4f in April; also effective at 2m this term but edged back up the weights and looks vulnerable for win purposes. |
40/1 |
|
7th 1 (15) |
27th Jun 2026 Standard To Slow 2m 0f 56y Class 2 |
9st 12lb |
Prolific 8yo who gained his 11th success when taking 1m4f Ripon handicap in April; also effective at 2m this term, including C&D, but he's edged back up the weights; place player but he may be vulnerable for win purposes. |
14/1 |
7/4
Form: 5-2263
Last run: 49 days
W: 9st 8lb
4 yo Colt
OR: 113
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 4 (4) |
15th Aug 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 61y Class 1 |
9st 8lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap at York in August 2024; 0-10 since but runner-up in six of those races, including at York (1m6f) on last two starts in close finishes also involving Mount Atlas (who now carries a 3lb penalty); the lack of a recent win has become frustrating, particularly as he had the initiative for most of the closing stages last time, losing it in the last three strides; cheekpieces (tried once last term, runner-up) return; second to Dubai Honour in terms of form. |
3/1 |
|
2nd 5 (2) |
11th Jul 2026 Good To Firm 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 0lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap over C&D in August 2024; 0-9 since but he was runner-up in five of those races, including when beaten a neck in C&D Listed event four weeks ago, narrowly in front of Mount Atlas; the lack of a recent win is a touch frustrating but he's clearly a leading contender. |
15/8 |
|
2nd 6 (3) |
13th Jun 2026 Good 1m 5f 188y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Won the Melrose Handicap here in 2024 (good to firm; for 3yos) and another good run over C&D (good to firm) when third in this last year, 4l behind Al Qareem; not at his best at Ascot last month following a break, and there's a suspicion he may find one or two too good even if back to his peak, but he might not be far away. |
7/1 |
7/1
Form: 2-5417
Last run: 28 days
W: 9st 6lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 98
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6 (2) |
30th Aug 2025 Good 1m 6f 87y Class 1 |
9st 6lb |
Highly progressive form last term, culminating in a 1m6f Listed second on soft, and better still when she got on top close home in 1m4f Listed race at Pontefract (1m4f, good) this June; not disgraced facing a stiff task in Goodwood Group 2 four weeks ago but needs to resume improvement. |
7/1 |
|
7th 1 (4) |
2nd Aug 2025 Soft 1m 6f 0y Class 1 |
9st 9lb |
Last season's fine improvement culminated in her 1m6f Listed second at Ascot (soft); got on top close home in 1m4f Listed race at Pontefract (1m4f, good) on latest outing but she did not see this trip out as well as Term Of Endearment or Sueno when they clashed in York Group 3 the time before; others seem to have the edge. |
20/1 |
|
1 (2) |
22nd Jun 2025 Good 1m 4f 5y Class 1 |
9st 2lb |
Prominent racer; rattled off a four-timer in handicaps at around this trip last summer before good second of five in 1m6f Listed race at Ascot; had wind surgery prior to running right up to last year's best in Listed and Group 3 events last month; this is less competitive and she's greatly respected. |
11/2 |
14/1
Form: 326132 D
Last run: 14 days
W: 9st 3lb
4 yo Filly
OR: 85
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5th 8 (6) |
22nd Aug 2026 Good To Soft 1m 6f 87y Class 1 |
9st 3lb |
Reliable type whose wins have come in 1m2f and 1m6f handicaps; good fourth in this race 12 months ago and showed she retains her ability when fifth in another Listed event at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) on her reappearance three weeks ago. |
16/1 |
|
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 |
Non-runners
Tashkhan, Too Soon
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £14.50 |
| Straight Forecast | £13.31 |
| Trifecta | £38.20 |