The Chester May Meeting gets underway on Wednesday.(credit:
BuhSnarf)
Chester's May Festival is one of the highlights of the racing calendar and the three day meeting from the Roodee is the centrepiece of a week that also includes the second half of the Guineas meeting and high class action from Longchamp, the Curragh, Ascot and Lingfield.
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Monday May 3
Curragh
2:45 Tetrarch Stakes
This seven furlong event for three-year-olds is sometimes regarded as a trial for the Irish 2000 Guineas, although it hasn't produced a Guineas winner since 1997.
3:15 Athasi Stakes
This contest features a fascinating early season clash of the generations as some high class three-year-old fillies take on their elders over seven furlongs.
4:15 Mooresbridge Stakes
Restricted to older horses, this Group Three is run over a galloping ten furlongs and is often targeted by trainers looking to step their horses up to middle distances.
Wednesday May 5
Chester
2:15 Cheshire Oaks
Perhaps the classiest race on the opening day of the May Festival, this is an eleven furlong test for fillies and is regarded as a trial for the Epsom Classic.
2:45 Chester Cup
A unique test of speed and stamina as a packed field of staying handicappers charge around the tight course, passing the winning post three times in all. Course experience can be real advantage in this perennially fascinating race.
Thursday May 6
2:15 Betfair Huxley Stakes
The field is likely to be small but select for this ten furlong Group Three race that was upgraded from Listed class a few years ago and has been dominated by Sir Michael Stoute ever since.
2:45 Chester Vase
One of the better Derby trials, this mile-and-a-half Group Three has a good recent record of producing serious Derby contenders with 2006 runner-up Dragon Dancer finishing second in the Epsom classic and 2007 winner Soldier of Fortune taking the Irish version.
Friday May 7
Chester
2:15 Dee Stakes
Another useful Derby trial, this ten furlong Group Three has a good record of producing Classic contenders, most notably the 2003 Derby winner Kris Kin.
2:45 Ormonde Stakes
A Group Three over a mile-and-five-furlongs, this is an opportunity for those stayers who have proven just short of the very top level to show what they can do.
Saturday May 8
Ascot
3:25 Victoria Cup
A thrilling race to watch as a huge field dash up the straight seven furlongs. It is also well worth watching for clues for next month's Royal Hunt Cup.
Lingfield
2:40 Oaks Trial Stakes
This Listed event was a pretty strong trial during the nineties and is still worth watching for potential contenders for the classic.
3:10 Derby Trial Stakes
A Derby trial with an excellent history, with seven winners of this having gone on to win the Classic, though the last of these was High Rise in 1998.
Haydock
3:35 Swinton Handicap Hurdle
Always a popular event, this is a two mile handicap hurdle that usually features a big and competitive field. Keep an eye on the Betfair market throughout the week.