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: I'm The One Heads Five-Filly Showdown
Wednesday 6 May at Chester. Race-day-eve update: I'm The One (Gosden, 4/6F) confirmed for Cheshire after all. Five-filly field with Amelia Earhart (Coolmore, 5/2) and three Coolmore second-stringers. Field, trends, going and verdict.
Ormonde Stakes 2026 Preview: Jan Brueghel and the Stoute Void
Thursday 7 May at Chester. Result is in -- Jan Brueghel (4/7F, A O'Brien / Ryan Moore) won by 2½ lengths from Mount Atlas, with Illinois 3rd. See the full Ormonde Stakes 2026 result piece for race shape, market reaction and Coronation Cup implications.
Huxley Stakes 2026 Preview: Lambourn the Coolmore Pick
Friday 8 May at Chester. Result is in -- Lambourn (6/4F, A O'Brien / R Moore) won by a neck from Bay City Roller (9/2, Appleby / Buick), with Ice Max 3rd. See the full Huxley Stakes 2026 result piece for race shape, market reaction and Coronation Cup implications.
Chester Cup 2026: Tips, Runners & a Record 86 Entries
Friday 8 May at Chester. Result is in -- A Piece Of Heaven (7/1, J P O'Brien / Dylan Browne McMonagle, drawn 2) won by ½ length from Maxi King (25/1) and Duraji (50/1). See the full Chester Cup 2026 result piece for race shape and trends-scorecard review.
Course guide
Chester Racecourse (Roodee)
All festivals
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