Midsummer Meeting - Chester Racecourse

Racing Reports

Midsummer Meeting

25 Jul 2026

A pony race won by Sweet Little Mystery and Lowan Cruise Mills opened another fantastic edition of the Midsummer Meeting in July 2026. The feature race of the day came at 3:48pm in the Wilson Family Handicap (Class 3), with going conditions described as Good (Good to Firm in places) throughout the afternoon.

Race report by Adam Perkins

1:53 pm

The Midsummer Meeting Handicap Stakes

Winning for the very first time under rules, Al Maslool (5/2F) needed every inch of the marathon trip in the opening rise, edging home by a nose to score for Jason Watson and William Haggas. Despite a slow beginning, Al Maslool travelled strongly through the first mile of the contest, racing in amongst the chasing pack as previous course winner Grey Fable (11/2) led them home. Switched wide, Al Maslool stayed on strongly down the home straight, and although suffering interference a furlong out, the consistent 3-year-old got his nose in front right on the line to deny an unlucky Risk Averse Rebel (12/1) in second, providing owner Ziad A Galadari with a first ever Chester winner!

Results

Winner
Name: Al Maslool
Owner: Mr Ziad A, Galadari
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: William Haggas
Jockey: Jason Watson

The Race
Distance: 1m 4f 63y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

Runners
Runners: 10

2:28 pm

The Tom Jones Live on 14th August Handicap Stakes

Dropping in grade and switching to a new yard proved to be a winning formula for Collecting Coin (10/1) in Race 2, going on to land the spoils by 1 ¾ lengths for George Wood and Jennie Candlish. Always in touch with the leaders, Collecting Coin raced up the inside rail for much of the way, sitting around a length off the strong-travelling Woodstock (7/2) round the turn. Ridden through a gap before being carried wide by the leaders, Collecting Coin really found his feet once in the clear, bounding away down the centre of the track so see off Woodstock in a matter of strides. A man in form George Wood has now ridden nine winners at Chester, operating at a 12% strike-rate!

Results

Winner
Name: Collecting Coin
Owner: Bayliss, Gavin and Turner
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Jennie Candlish
Jockey: George Wood

The Race
Distance: 7f 127y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 4

Runners
Runners: 8

3:10 pm

The IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Maiden Stakes

Another promising juvenile for the Manor House team, Velociraptor (8/11F) ran out a stylish victor of the third race, repelling his opposition by a length to score for David Probert and Hugo Palmer. A smooth traveller, Velociraptor really caught the eye for much of the opening five furlongs, racing in fourth place ahead of market rival Storm Blade (13/8). Still on the bridle as Royal Titan (33/1) led the field into the home straight, Velociraptor could be called the winner a long way from home, the exciting colt easing past his rivals before being nudged out to secure the victory. Enjoying another profitable season, Hugo Palmer is now over the £1m prize money barrier for the third year in a row!

Results

Winner
Name: Velociraptor
Owner: Mr V.I. Araci & M Owen
Prize: £18,000
Trainer: Hugo Palmer
Jockey: David Probert

The Race
Distance: 7f 1y
Prize: £18,000
Class: 3

Runners
Runners: 6

3:48 pm

The Wilson Family Handicap Stakes

Taking his Roodee record to 3 for 3, Calico Blue (4/6F) was a class above in the feature race of the day, coasting home to a comfortable 1 ½ length victory for Ray Dawson and Roger Varian. Prominent from the outset, Calico Blue raced in a share of third place up to the halfway point of the contest, sitting alongside recent course winner Grasmere Boy (13/2) as Postmodern (11/2) set the pace. Ridden along around the home turn, Calico Blue was forced to come quite wide entering the straight. However, rallying strongly for pressure, Calico Blue came home best of all in the final furlong, readily coming clear to land Roger Varian a third Chester winner from just eight runners in 2026!

Results

Winner
Name: Calico Blue
Owner: Mr Michael D'Arcy
Prize: £30,000
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Ray Dawson

The Race
Distance: 6f 17y
Prize: £30,000
Class: 3

Runners
Runners: 7

4:23 pm

The Horseradish Catering & Events Handicap Stakes

Defying both lofty odds and a high draw in Stall 11, Aces Wild (20/1) won for a second time on the Roodee in Race 5, flying home under Taryn Langley to prevail by a length for trainer Adrian Wintle. Breaking away from a wide berth, Aces Wild was forced to sit towards the back for the majority of the sprint contest, racing with just two behind him as Al Hussar (11/4F) led them around the bend. Waiting for the gaps to appear as the field fanned out across the track, Aces Wild finally found a clear route with a furlong to race, and after a couple of reminders, the plucky 7-year-old flew home to score. Another with a great record, this was Adrian Wintle’s third Chester winner from just 15 runners!

Results

Winner
Name: Aces Wild
Owner: Martin & Wintle
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Adrian Wintle
Jockey: Taryn Langley

The Race
Distance: 5f 15y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 4

Runners
Runners: 11

4:58 pm

The John Smith's Handicap Stakes

Despite a mixed year under rules, Parlando (13/2) came right back to form when taking the sixth race under Ryan Kavanagh, sneaking home by half a length for the Ian Williams yard. Racing in last place throughout, Kavanagh played it cool aboard Parlando, content to allow regular frontrunner Lexington Jet (25/1) to set the pace up front. As the leader began to fade passing the quarter-mile pole, Parlando soon made his move, weaving his way through beaten rivals before powering home down the centre of the track to hold off Secret Beach (15/2) towards the line. Recently shedding his 5lb claim, jockey Ryan Kavanagh has now ridden an impressive 31 winners so far this season!

Results

Winner
Name: Parlando
Owner: Mr Spencer Coomes & Partner
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Ryan Kavanagh

The Race
Distance: 1m 2f 70y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 4

Runners
Runners: 7

5:33 pm

The Family Fun Day on 2nd August Handicap Stakes

A ninth visit to the Roodee proved to be a lucky one for Maharajas Express (8/1) in the finale, the six-year-old doing just enough to hold on by a neck and provide doubles for David Probert and Ian Williams. Waited with in rear division, Maharajas Express was another to play the waiting game, biding his time next to Over Spiced (22/1) as Sam’s Xpress (50/1) set sail for home. Travelling well but waiting for an opening, Maharajas Express eventually found the path he needed with a furlong to go, darting across to the centre of the track before sticking his neck out bravely to snatch a late victory. Enjoying another good season, Probert now has six winners from 29 rides on the Roodee in 2026!

Results

Winner
Name: Maharajas Express
Owner: Mr S. Bell
Prize: £15,000
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: David Probert

The Race
Distance: 5f 15y
Prize: £15,000
Class: 5

Runners
Runners: 11

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