Three days on the Roodee — Britain's oldest and tightest track. The Boodles Chester Vase (a key Derby trial), the Cheshire Oaks (an Epsom Oaks trial), the Ormonde Stakes, the upgraded Group 2 Huxley Stakes and the famous Chester Cup Heritage Handicap.
Headline races
- Cheshire Oaks (Wed, Listed) — Oaks trial
- Chester Vase (Wed, G3) — Derby trial
- Ormonde Stakes (Thu, G3)
- Huxley Stakes (Fri, G2)
- Chester Cup (Fri, Heritage Handicap)
Where it's held
Our Chester coverage
Chester May Festival 2026 Preview: Benvenuto Cellini, Minnie Hauk & a Record Cup
Three days at the Roodee, 6-8 May 2026. Five Pattern races, a record 86 Chester Cup entries and Aidan O'Brien dominating four of them. Our preview of the Chester Vase, Cheshire Oaks, Ormonde, Huxley and Chester Cup with form, trends, draw bias and verdicts.
Chester Vase 2026 Preview: Benvenuto Cellini Heads the Derby Trial
Wednesday 6 May at Chester. Aidan O'Brien's Frankel colt Benvenuto Cellini -- general 5/1 Derby favourite -- is rerouted to the Vase. Field, trends, going forecast and verdict for the most important Derby trial in Europe.
Cheshire Oaks 2026 Preview: Amelia Earhart vs I'm The One
Wednesday 6 May at Chester. Aidan O'Brien's Amelia Earhart and Gosden's 7/2 Oaks favourite I'm The One could clash in the season's most reliable Epsom Oaks trial. Field, trends, going forecast and verdict.
Ormonde Stakes 2026 Preview: Jan Brueghel and the Stoute Void
Thursday 7 May at Chester. Aidan O'Brien's Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel heads the Ormonde with Sir Michael Stoute (joint-record holder) retired and the 2025 winner Illinois rerouted. New NYRA partnership puts a Belmont Gold Cup berth on the line.
Huxley Stakes 2026 Preview: Minnie Hauk Returns to the Roodee
Friday 8 May at Chester. Last year's quadruple Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk returns to the Roodee in the upgraded Group 2 Huxley as a Tattersalls Gold Cup prep. Field, trends, going forecast and verdict.
Chester Cup 2026: Tips, Runners & a Record 86 Entries
The Chester Cup on Friday 8 May headlines the Chester May Festival's Cup Day. A record 86 entries (vs previous high 56), Blindedbythelights heads the market at 8/1, Joseph O'Brien is three-handed at 10/1. Full preview with draw bias, key runners and verdict.
Course guide
Chester Racecourse (Roodee)
All festivals
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