May 07 / 16.45 Chester

16.45

Good

Chester Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

  • Prize money: £13915.8
  • 1m 4f 63y
  • Class 3
  • 8 runners
SKY
View Course
Chester Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £17.20
  • Place: £3.10

Form: 843-12 D BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Improved on handicap debut when scoring at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in March; appeared to run well when second to Galilean Quality in two-runner race at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last month, which puts him into the each-way picture assuming that first-time headgear proves suitable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

30th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Magnetude

9st 3lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: James Owen

Can make the running; won two 1m4f handicaps and so nearly got back up over 1m6f at Newmarket on latest start; no show, however, when he tried a 1m6f Group 3 at Royal Ascot (100-1) and he is bottom of this pack on ratings.

20/1

2nd

1

(3)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Newmarket (July)

Magnetude

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: James Owen

Won two 1m4f handicaps, gamely making all at Chester on second occasion; pitched in at the deep end for Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) 17 days ago, in which he was a never-dangerous eighth of 11 at 100-1, but that's earned him a 9lb rise; proving up to that task probably requires further improvement.

12/1

8th

5

(4)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Magnetude

9st 2lb

J: Harry Davies

T: James Owen

Sent handicapping this term and had 1m4f wins at Wolverhampton (AW) and Chester (good) on two of those three starts; gamely made all with first-time cheekpieces in the latter but that was off a mark of just 76 and, even though the form has been boosted, this race demands something of a much higher order.

66/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 472-1

Last run: 111 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Didn't live up to market expectations in first two starts but much better when runner-up next time and then won a five-runner novice at Wolverhampton (upped to 9.4f, AW) in January; that win came by just a neck at 2-5 but the second scored next time and this one rallied as if 1m4f would help; gelded soon afterwards; first turf run since debut (soft); one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

5

(3)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Mythical Bay

8st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Prominent racer who showed improvement to win by 4l at Newbury (1m4f, good to soft) in June and followed up at Newmarket (1m6f, good to firm) last month; had just a nose to spare last time and is 5lb higher today but he's clearly progressive and his trainer has won three of the last six runnings.

10/1

1st

4

(5)

4th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Newmarket (July)

Mythical Bay

9st 6lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Second to Magnetude at Chester (1m4f, good) in May on handicap debut; 10-11 for seven-runner race at Newbury (1m4f, good to soft) on latest outing but drawing 4l clear represented improved form and gave plenty of hope for 1m6f; up 7lb but considered for yard which also runs Hard To Believe.

7/2

1st

1

(4)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:15 Newbury

Mythical Bay

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Won Wolverhampton novice (9.4f, AW) in January on fourth start and returned from break with close second on handicap debut at Chester (1m4f, good) last month; only third of four at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) but that was still a good run and he could be in the shake-up today.

7/2

5/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 641-1 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Improved with each of his three runs in 2025, signing off with a 1m2f Pontefract novice win (soft) in October; gelded before another improved effort to win handicap at Southwell (1m4f, AW) last month, in just a two-horse race but against in-form rival Magnetude (who reopposes); up 3lb but more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(9)

22nd Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

14:25 York

Galilean Quality

8st 9lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Has won on various ground; strong finish for 4l sixth of 19 in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m4f) and that handicap form has worked out exceptionally well; as expected he was suited by the step up to 1m6f when winning at Ascot last month and could have more to offer at this trip.

14/1

1st

5

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 3

15:34 Ascot

Galilean Quality

9st 2lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Has contested four 1m4f handicaps this season and won twice in small fields on the AW, latterly despite veering badly right; 22-1 for red-hot race at Royal Ascot (good to firm) on latest outing but finished strongly for sixth of 19, which looked promising for today's test off 2lb higher.

5/2

6th

18

(16)

18th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

15:05 Ascot

Galilean Quality

8st 8lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: K R Burke

Pontefract 1m2f winner (soft) as 2yo; contested three 1m4f handicaps this season and came a creditable third at Chester (good) in between winning twice in small fields on AW; latest win was despite veering badly right, away from the whip; up 4lb and, although he may have more in the tank, this race looks so much harder.

28/1

Form: 266-11

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Promise on turf (good to firm/good) as 2yo; gelded and tongue tied when justifying favouritism in five-runner handicaps over 1m3f on Kempton AW this February (fairly smoothly) and April (much harder work, by short head); up another 4lb and back to turf but 1m4f+ will help his hat-trick bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

3

(8)

23rd May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 4

16:25 York

Moment Of Light

9st 8lb

J: William Carson

T: James Owen

Gelded and tongue tied when justifying favouritism in five-runner handicaps over 1m3f on Kempton AW this February and April; raced a bit freely and never got into it when back to turf at Chester (1m4f, good; second favourite) 16 days ago but not at all discredited and it's possible he may resume his progress; cheekpieces go on.

5/1

4th

4

(3)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Moment Of Light

9st 1lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: James Owen

Promise on turf (good to firm/good) as 2yo; gelded and tongue tied when justifying favouritism in five-runner handicaps over 1m3f on Kempton AW this February (fairly smoothly) and April (much harder work, by short head); up another 4lb and back to turf but 1m4f+ will help his hat-trick bid.

7/2

1st

2

(1)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Moment Of Light

9st 7lb

J: Luke Morris

T: James Owen

Son of Sea The Moon who built on earlier promise after five months off (gelded/tongue tied) when an emphatic winner of handicap over C&D 35 days ago from Parisian Scholar; up 6lb but the sort to go on improving and he rates a big player.

11/8

Form: 3214- BF

Last run: 215 days

W: 9st 1lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Couldn't justify favouritism on debut and bumped into the subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner next time, but made no mistake at Thirsk (1m, good) in August; flopped when favourite for five-runner nursery at Newcastle (1m, AW) in October but gelded since; sire gets plenty who stay; not dismissed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(2)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Be The Standard

9st 1lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Hugo Palmer

Couldn't justify favouritism on debut and bumped into the subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner next time, but made no mistake at Thirsk (1m, good) in August; flopped when favourite for five-runner nursery at Newcastle (1m, AW) in October but gelded since; sire gets plenty who stay; not dismissed.

10/1

4th

1

(1)

4th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

19:15 Newcastle (AW)

Be The Standard

9st 11lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Hugo Palmer

Couldn't justify favouritism at Haydock on debut (7f, good) but shaped well in third; second to Royal Lodge winner in a hot Newbury maiden (1m, good) next time and he made no mistake at Thirsk a fortnight later (1m, good; form worked out well); open to further progress and could have been let into nurseries lightly.

Evs

Form: 2316-8

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Substantial improvement to win novice at Nottingham in October, followed by creditable sixth of seven in French Listed race (both 1m on heavy); however, eased right down from 4f out on handicap/seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m2f, good; 22-1) three weeks ago, after which it's hard to approach him with confidence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(4)

30th Aug 2026

Soft

1m 1f 207y

Class 3

13:40 Beverley

Oratorical

9st 6lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: David Loughnane

Won a heavy-ground novice at Nottingham last October but comfortably beaten in this year's handicaps (effective on good ground); bit to prove now.

20/1

6th

1

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 4f 63y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Oratorical

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: David Loughnane

Substantial improvement to win novice at Nottingham in October, followed by creditable sixth of seven in French Listed race (both 1m on heavy); however, eased right down from 4f out on handicap/seasonal debut at Newmarket (1m2f, good; 22-1) three weeks ago, after which it's hard to approach him with confidence.

20/1

Form: 171-23

Last run: 36 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; 3-4 in handicaps last term, with first win on good to soft going but also a flop on good; back with two creditable supporting roles behind Moment Of Light in five-runner handicaps at Kempton (1m3f, AW) and it looks like he will be suited by 1m4f+; this race is more competitive, though, and he needs to find a bit extra, with cheekpieces enlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newmarket (July)

Parisian Scholar

9st 6lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: Charlie Johnston

3yo who completed a double when landing a Class 4 handicap over C&D last month; well held in two quick-fire runs at Glorious Goodwood but he's back in calmer waters now and is a player if he can get back near best; acts on good to firm and good to soft.

7/1

13th

10

(6)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 44y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Parisian Scholar

8st 13lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Charlie Johnston

Won five of 15 races, including this month at Thirsk and Newmarket (both 1m4f on good to firm); Wednesday's 1m4f handicap here was a much sterner test of his credentials and he came up well short at 28-1, so others are again preferred.

9/1

6th

8

(2)

29th Jul 2026

Good

1m 3f 218y

Class 2

13:50 Goodwood

Parisian Scholar

8st 6lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

Capitalised on a reduced mark at Thirsk (1m4f, good to firm) on July 1 and he followed up at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) ten days later; clearly in good heart but those wins came in five-runner, Class 4 handicaps and this is a much sterner test of his credentials.

25/1

33/1

Form: 3969-

Last run: 201 days

W: 8st 8lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Showed ability in two of his three maiden races in Ireland but well beaten at 20-1 for handicap debut (1m, yielding to soft); has changed hands and left Ger Lyons; mixed pedigree for stamina (by Derby winner out of 5f winner); makes his seasonal debut for new connections.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(8)

31st Aug 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

14:42 Southwell (AW)

Carwyn

8st 7lb

J: Barry McHugh

T: Patrick Morris

Ex-Irish maiden who's turned in four poor efforts at huge prices this year; Golspie looks his yard's best chance.

66/1

12th

12

(3)

27th Jul 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

15:30 Southwell (AW)

Carwyn

9st 3lb

J: Donagh Murphy

T: Patrick Morris

Twice showed fair form at 1m in his four Irish races last term for Ger Lyons; well beaten on handicap debut there, however, and it was the same story in May on three British starts; AW debut.

50/1

Non-runners

High Storm

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £59.70
Straight Forecast £41.02
Tricast £160.36
Trifecta £209.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Moment Of Light

TOPSPEED:

High Storm

LAMBOURN:

Mythical Bay

RP RATINGS:

Galilean Quality

The Times:

Parisian Scholar

POSTDATA:

Magnetude

The Star:

Be The Standard

The Sun:

Mythical Bay

The Guardian:

High Storm

Daily Mail:

High Storm

D Express:

Galilean Quality

NEWMARKET:

Moment Of Light

Daily Mirror:

Moment Of Light

Daily Record:

Moment Of Light

Telegraph:

Parisian Scholar