Boodles May Festival Ladbrokes Chester Cup Day

The Ladbrokes Chester Cup provided a scintillating feature for the final day of the 2025 Boodles May Festival, with three of the first four home coming from a select group of promising four-year-olds. Going conditions remained Good throughout a sunny afternoon.

Race 1 – CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap (Class 2, 4yo+, 7 ½f)

Prominent from the outset, the well-supported Two Tempting (9/4F) ran out a tough winner of the first race, the experienced six-year-old holding on by under a length for Rob Hornby and Jonathan Portman. Quickly out of the starting stalls, Two Tempting positioned himself along the inside rail through the halfway point, racing in the slipstream of Partisan Hero (12/1) with Kindest Nation (33/1) in behind. Travelling notably well around the final bend, Two Tempting readily moved into prime position with a furlong to go, ranging upsides Partisan Hero before staying on strongly towards the finish to score by ¾ of a length. Despite a rather hit-and-miss profile, this is now a sixth handicap victory since March 2024 for the talented Two Tempting!

Race 2 – Boodles Darley EBF Maiden Stakes (GBB/GBB Plus Race) (Class 2, 3yo, 1m 4 ½f)

Springing a surprise, Al Wasl Storm (9/1) came home a relatively untroubled winner of Race 2, making all under David Probert to score by 1 ¼ lengths for trainer Owen Burrows. Breaking well from the gates, Al Wasl Storm dictated the early fractions, maintaining the lead through the opening circuit ahead of a well-bunched field headed by Orionis (7/1). Winding up the speed with half a mile to go, Al Wasl Storm had most of his rivals under the pump as he led them towards Castle Bend, still moving well up front as Orionis and Ammes (16/5) tried to bridge the deficit. Ridden more firmly but responding well out in front, Al Wasl Storm soon had the race in safe keeping, kicking on again a furlong out and readily coming clear to score. Another winner at Chester Racecourse for Green Team Racing, their Bur Dubai also scored here last year!

Race 3 – Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1, 4yo+, 1m 2 ½f)

A former winner of the Dante Stakes, The Foxes (13/8F) returned to winning form with a bang in this year’s Huxley Stakes, ridden out by 1 ¾ lengths under Oisin Murphy for winning trainer Andrew Balding. In amongst a well-bunched field, The Foxes raced along the inside rail for much of the contest, followed on his outside by Cairo (40/1) as Bolster (7/1) spearheaded the field. Still on the bridle as many of the opposition came under pressure, The Foxes looked ready to pounce with a couple of furlongs to negotiate. Switched to the outside to make his challenge, The Foxes duly delivered for the Champion Jockey’s urgings, galloping on resolutely down the centre of the track to surpass his rivals in the style of a classy horse. A good week for the team, Bellum Justum also provided trainer, jockey, and owner with a Group 2 victory last Friday!

Race 4 – Ladbrokes Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBB Plus Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 2m 2 ½f)

Last seen finishing third in the Triumph Hurdle, East India Dock (9/4F) showcased his class to land the 2025 Ladbrokes Chester Cup, delivered perfectly by Harry Davies to score by a length for the James Owen yard. Rousted along to find a good position, East India Dock settled nicely in a share of fourth place for much of the contest, racing in the slipstream of last year’s victor Zoffee (14/1) as Caballo De Mar (11/2) kept Leinster (100/30) company up front. Ridden along two furlongs out, it looked to be hard work for Harry Davies aboard East India Dock, forced to switch his mount out wide as the field swung into the straight. However, with plenty of stamina in reserve, East India Dock gradually found his stride in the closing stages, leading 100 yards out and staying on strongly to the line. With a team including East India Dock, Ambiente Amigo, and Wimbledon Hawkeye, The Gredley Family look to be in for another fine season!

Race 5 – Precision Facades Handicap (GBB Plus Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 1m 2 ½f)

The longest-priced winner of the week, Let’s Dream (33/1) made his backers do just that when victorious in the fifth race, holding on grimly in the shadows of the post to land the spoils for Warren Fentiman and Michael Bell by a head. Smartly away, Let’s Dream moved into the lead after a couple of furlongs, setting a solid pace at the head of affairs as Penzance (12/1) and Grey Cuban (6/1) followed in behind. Nudged along to maintain the lead rounding the home turn, Let’s Dream powered on relentlessly once in the clear, needing every ounce of urgency from his rider to see off the unfortunate Auld Toon Loon (18/1), who struggled to find the gaps and lost out in the shadows of the post. A trainer in form, Michael Bell also won the Sagaro Stakes last month with Yashin; could he have another Ascot Gold Cup winner in the pipeline?

Race 6 – Xenon Workplace Apprentice Handicap (GBB Plus Race) (Class 4, 4yo+, 1m 4 ½f)

A winner of his only previous start at Chester, Small Fry (13/8F) repeated the trick in the penultimate race of the Festival, edging home by half a length under Ashley Lewis for Gary & Josh Moore. Never too far away from the pacesetters, Small Fry raced in around fourth place alongside Obsidian Knight (18/1) for most of the way, the lead occupied by Woodstock City (25/1) with the well-fancied Sportingsilvermine (7/4) in second. As plenty of those in behind started to struggle with the increased tempo, Small Fry and Sportingsilvermine made their moves three furlongs out, the latter travelling strongly. Making ground under pressure though, Small Fry found his second wind entering the home straight, responding well for Ashley Lewis and eventually finding his way past Sportingsilvermine shortly before the line. A third winner in his debut season, Ashley Lewis looks to have plenty of talent in the saddle; well done, Ashley!

Race 7 – Ladbrokes Get Rewarded With Ladbucks Chester Plate Handicap (GBB Plus Race) (Class 2, 4yo+, 2m 2 ½f)

His son having ridden the winner of Race 5, Duran Fentiman also got off the mark when taking the finale aboard Gibside (9/1), the winner doing just enough to score by ¾ of a length for trainer Tim Easterby. Dawdling at the start, Gibside found himself further back than ideal through the opening mile and a half, racing in a share of last place as Surrey Belle (11/8F) set the pace. Catching the eye as the leader rounded the home turn, Gibside began to pick his way through the field passing the half mile marker, travelling kindly on the bridle but still 10 lengths behind the leader. Sneaking up the inside rail upon entering the straight, Gibside soon laid down his challenge in the final furlong, switched to the outside of Surrey Belle before grinding his way into the lead close home, and providing Duran Fentiman with a first winner of the 2025 season!

Race report by Adam Perkins