Chester Cup

The Chester Cup is a handicap run over 2m2f which this year is run on Friday 8th May at 3:05 for which seventeen horses have been declared.

Chester Cup Winners, Trends & Stats

There have been nine horses who have won this race twice with Anak Pekan the most recent in 2004 and 2005.

  • 10 of the previous 12 winners carried 9st4lbs or less
  • 10 of the previous 12 winners were beaten on their previous start
  • 9 of the previous 12 winners had never run at Chester
  • 9 of the previous 12 winners were aged between 4 and 6
  • 9 of the previous 12 winners were rated between 89 and 99
  • 8 of the previous 12 winners had won over 2 miles or further

 

Chester Cup 2026 Runners Guide

BLINDEDBYTHELIGHTS

Sir Mark Prescott trained six-year-old who has finished runner-up on his previous four starts. He was beaten less than two lengths on his reappearance at Kempton in March behind Align The Stars who ran well to finish 2nd at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas Day off a 4lb higher mark. Blindedbythelights runs here off a 2lb higher mark. Well drawn in Stall 4.

GALILEO DAME

Dual purpose performer for Joseph O’Brien who won a maiden hurdle at Navan in February before finishing 2nd in a flat handicap over 1m6f last time at the same track off a mark of 90. The jockey booking of Ryan Moore for the first-time is eyecatching and she is drawn well in Stall 6.

PUTURHANDSTOGETHER

Joseph O’Brien had booked Billy Loughnane for the ride on his 2025 Cheltenham festival winner. He won the Irish Cesarewitch over 2m1f when last seen on the flat but has disappointed on his most recent two starts over hurdles. Drawn widest of all in Stall 17.

BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE

Progressive Andrew Balding trained six-year-old who has won six of his previous nine starts including on his reappearance at Newcastle when fitted with first-time cheekpieces. Now off a career high mark of 96, he looks sure to relish this step up in trip. Drawn wide in Stall 15.

A PIECE OF HEAVEN

Appears to have been the choice of stable jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle who rides this race-fit eight-year-old. He finished 2nd over an inadequate trip of 1m2f at Dundalk in February before finishing a close 2nd at the Curragh last time over 1m6f on soft/heavy ground. He gets the plum draw in Stall 1.

TEAM PLAYER

A winner of his two starts since joining Ewan Whillans this season, he boasts a win at this track over 1m4½f last season albeit off a mark of 67. Now off a career high mark of 92 having been raised 9lbs for his victory last time, he will need to overcome Stall 12.

ALPHONSE LE GRANDE

Tony Martin trained seven-year-old who won the consolation race here in 2024 in impressive style by 2 ¼ lengths off a mark of 73. He went on to win the Cesarewitch at Newmarket later in the year off a mark of 87 and has now dropped back down to a mark of 89. Stall 14 is an obvious negative.

Chester Cup 2026 Trainers & Jockeys to Watch

Recently the most successful trainers in the race have been Ian Williams (Bulwark in 2008 and Magic Circle in 2018), Richard Fahey (Greenwich Meantime in 2007 and 2013) and Donald McCain (Overturn in 2011 and Ile De Re in 2012).

Ryan Moore (Suegioo in 2014 and Cleveland in 2022), Jamie Spencer (Address Unknown in 2013 and No Herectic in 2016) and Harry Davies (Zoffee in 2024 and East India Dock in 2025) have all won this race twice recently.

Chester Cup 2026 Betting Tips

As highlighted in the trends video for this race, the Ralph Beckett trained MOON OVER MIAMI (best priced at 11/1) should be well suited by the demands of this race. The lightly raced five-year-old has had only seven career starts but showed he is a strong stayer winning at Newbury over 2 miles in April.

Moon Over Miami returned from a 358 day break to finish 5th at Musselburgh when he shaped as if he would need the run. He has made the running on his previous two starts which suits this race and he can hopefully win this under regular rider Hector Crouch from an acceptable draw in Stall 7.

Recommended Bet: MOON OVER MIAMI 11/1 (1pt)