Ibiza Classics Evening Featuring Hedkandi

Scorching weather, a seven-race card, and a headline Ibiza Classics concert kept the Roodee bouncing in July 2025. The feature race came at 7:55pm in the Moxy Hotels Chester Handicap, with ground conditions Good throughout the evening.

Race 1 – Mel & Claire Big Birthday Bash Nursery Handicap (Class 3, 2yo, 7f)

Recording his first victory on turf in the process, Sir Albert (13/8 JF) came home a tidy winner of the opening race, keeping on by 1 ½ lengths under Jason Watson to score for Andrew Balding. Sharply away, Sir Albert raced in second for much of the contest, tracking fellow market rival Champion Island (13/8 JF) as the field remained fairly well grouped around the home turn. Rounding the corner smartly and booted into a narrow lead, Sir Albert did his best work in the closing stages, holding his rivals at bay all the way up the home straight to cross the line in front. Having finished second here twice with former Balding inmate Koy Koy, owner Mrs A Althani finally has her Roodee winner!

Race 2 – EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (GBB/IRE Incentive Race) (Class 4, 2yo, 6f)

A winner here just 27 days ago, Calico Blue (4/6F) comfortably repeated the feat in taking style during the second race, scooting 4 ¾ lengths clear to land the spoils for Aidan Keeley and Roger Varian. Always up with the pace, Calico Blue stalked early leader Blazing (15/2) for the majority of Race 2, never more than a length away as the pace lifted entering the final quarter mile. Swinging around the bend hard on the steel, Calico Blue soon sauntered into an unassailable lead upon entering the straight, merely nudged out in the final furlong to extend away in impressive style. A highly successful trainer, Roger Varian also scored at Royal Ascot last month with My Cloud!

Race 3 – Seat Unique Handicap (Class 4, 3yo+, 7 ½f)

Another to repeat a recent course victory, Miami Matrix (7/2) pulled out all the stops to score for a second time on the Roodee in Race 3, holding on by half a length for Richard Kingscote and Hugo Palmer. Content in midfield, Miami Matrix raced in amongst runners through the opening half mile, the lead occupied by Bajan Bandit (33/1) as recent course winner Mayday Malone (11/4F) raced in second. Ridden along but making stealthy headway, Miami Matrix still had a couple of lengths to find on the leaders around the home turn. However, responding well for pressure, the consistent 3-year-old hit full flight when switched out wide, staying on strongly to record another fine victory.  Always feared on the Roodee, Kingscote has now ridden 75 winners at Chester!

Race 4 – EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (GBB/GBBPlus Race) (Class 4, 3yo+, 1m 2 ½f)

Providing Richard Kingscote with a quickfire double and his 76^th Chester winner all told, Ferrari Gold (18/1) caused quite the upset when a determined winner of the fourth race, ridden out to score by a length for trainer James Tate. Swiftly into the lead, Ferrari Gold set a decent pace out in front through the opening mile, tracked on her outside by market leader Miss Herschel (8/11F) as Royal runner Aeolian (5/1) occupied the inside rail in third place. Pushed along to maintain the lead around the home turn, Ferrari Gold lived up to his name through the final couple of furlongs, careering away from his rivals and showing an impressive turn of foot down the home straight to see off the opposition in eye-catching fashion. A trainer enjoying a great 2025 season, James Tate has already had three Listed winners this year with Royal Dress, Cloud Cover, and Electric Storm!

Race 5 – Moxy Hotels Chester Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 3, 3yo+, 1m 2 ½f)

Bringing up doubles for both Jason Watson and Hugo Palmer, Grey Cuban (3/1) bagged his third victory on the Roodee when taking the feature race for a second year running, keeping on stoutly to run out an impressive 4 ¼ length winner. As is his wont, it didn’t take long for Grey Cuban to adopt his usual frontrunning tactics in the fifth race, sent straight to lead by Jason Watson as Liberty Coach (17/2) and Let’s Dream (7/1) stalked in behind. Stretching a couple of lengths clear passing the two-furlong pole, it was soon a case of ‘catch me if you can’ as Grey Cuban made his way for home, rounding the turn and galloping his rivals into submission to score impressively. Now up to 40 winners for the season, Jason Watson has already amassed over £700K in prize money for 2025!

Race 6 – John Smith’s Handicap (Class 4, 4yo+, 5 ½f)

Placed here three times in the past, Rosenpur (7/2) finally got his big day in the sun when holding on by a neck to take the penultimate race of the night, ridden out by George Wood for the Jennie Candlish stable. Another to make the running, Rosenpur was quick to grab the lead out of the starting stalls, holding a narrow advantage over Never Dark (9/1) and Harvanna (4/1) through the opening couple of furlongs as Nazron (9/4F) followed in fourth place. Still travelling nicely with two furlongs to go, Rosenpur really caught the eye around Castle Bend, and despite a late challenge from Harvanna looking likely to cause a problem, Rosenpur ultimately had too much in the tank. Enjoying a best ever flat campaign, Jennie Candlish now has 27 winners for the season!

Race 7 – Christmas Parties At Chester Racecourse Handicap (Class 5, 3yo+, 7f)

A trainer renowned for getting the best out of new recruits, James Owen pulled another rabbit of out of the hat when Rogue Dynasty (17/2) returned a plucky winner of the finale, the 3-y-o filly holding on by half a length to score under Luke Morris. Not proving to be the most comfortable of rides for his pilot, Rogue Dynasty ran in snatches throughout the seventh race of the night, ridden along firmly in a share of fifth place as Simply Blue (7/1) led Winter Crown (4/1) into the straight. However, switching out wide towards the stands-side rail, Rogue Dynasty found his second wind down the home straight, staying on stoutly to steal the lead passing the half-furlong marker and holding off an unlucky Simply Blue in second. Owners with a habit of finding improvers, The Rogues Gallery also won the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes in 2023 with Rogue Millenium!

Race report by Adam Perkins