At The Races

Chester Course Guide

Considered to be the oldest racing venue in England; racing around Chester’s tight ‘Roodee’ track has taken place since 1539 and some 500 years on the track itself has changed very little – the city walls and banks of the River Dee shaping two thirds of the circuit.

The sharp nature of the course means that it races exclusively on the Flat and Chester’s May Festival is now considered to be one of the highlights of the Flat racing year. Highlight of the three-day Festival is the historic Chester Cup, a two and a quarter mile handicap, but the fixture also boasts Classic trials in the shape of the Chester Vase, Dee Stakes and Cheshire Oaks, plus valuable races for older horses in the Huxley Stakes and Ormonde Stakes.

Among the top-class horses to have been successful at the course’s May Festival are Enable, Light Shift, Noble Mission, Shergar, Old Vic, Ruler Of The World, Teenoso, Harbinger, St Nicholas Abbey, Pentire, Oath and Kris Kin.

Advance Going
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Current Weather today at: Chester

Today
Mostly sunny

Forecast: Mostly sunny
Temp: 12.6° - 21.5°
Rainfall: none
Wind: 14.0 mph SW

Tomorrow
Mostly Cloudy

Forecast: Mostly Cloudy
Temp: 14.3° - 21.9°
Rainfall: 0.12mm
Wind: 6.9 mph W

Last Update: 28/06/2026 12:00

Left handed, very sharp. A circular course that's only just over a mile round, it's on the turn almost throughout and has a run-in of under two furlongs, heavily favoring those that race to the fore as it's easy to find trouble with little time to recover. A low draw at Chester is a huge advantage, even in middle-distance races, and particularly so in large fields.


At Chester, for most of any race, your horse will be leading with its near-fore, the one closer to the inside rail. And you have only two chances to change that: in the short home straight, or after the winning post in contests longer than a full circuit. You need to maximise those if you want to make ground or get a breather into one, because it’s not natural for a horse to lead on its near-fore all the way. It can pay to be brave in sprints. The straight may be short, but there’s still time to ride a finish.

View from the saddle: Jason Weaver
Upcoming races

Replays & Results

14:02 Laurent-Perrier EBF Maiden Stakes

GBB Race

6f | Class 4 | 2YO only | 6 ran
  • Winner: Stardom Glory 11/8 Fav
  • Jockey: David Probert Trainer: H Palmer
  • Owner: Mrs Claire Donaldson

14:32 Absolut Tabasco Novice Stakes

GBB Race

7½f | Class 3 | 3YO plus | 4 ran
  • Winner: Eagle Bay 5/4 2Fav
  • Jockey: S D Bowen Trainer: H Bethell
  • Owner: Daniel Hunt Wrigleys And Cassels

15:03 Manor Car Hire Handicap

6f | Class 3 | 3YO plus | 9 ran
  • Winner: Dark Thirty 9/2
  • Jockey: Jason Hart Trainer: J & S Quinn
  • Owner: Dark Thirty Partners

15:33 Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes

Listed | 7f | Class 1 | 4YO plus | 7 ran
  • Winner: Bellarchi 11/2
  • Jockey: Joanna Mason Trainer: Grant Tuer
  • Owner: Nick Bradley Racing 19 And Partner

16:10 Katie O'Brien's Irish Taverns Handicap

7f | Class 3 | 3YO only | 8 ran
  • Winner: Start Me Up 4/1 2Fav
  • Jockey: George Wood Trainer: R Spencer
  • Owner: Phil Cunningham

16:45 Castillo De Ibiza EBF Fillies' Handicap

GBBPlus Race

1m 2½f | Class 3 | 3YO plus | 8 ran
  • Winner: Hoseki 5/2 Fav
  • Jockey: Harry Davies Trainer: W J Haggas
  • Owner: Mr Simon Munir & Mr Isaac Souede

17:20 Roxy Ball Room Handicap

GBBPlus Race

2m | Class 4 | 4YO plus | 7 ran
  • Winner: Ruler Legend 33/1
  • Jockey: S D Bowen Trainer: G Hanmer
  • Owner: Mrs J A Ashley

17:50 Schweppes Cherry Pepper Handicap

1m 4½f | Class 5 | 3YO plus | 8 ran
  • Winner: Taritino 3/1 Fav
  • Jockey: Taylor Fisher Trainer: J Tickle
  • Owner: Duckhaven Stud
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Address & Contact

Chester Race Company
The Racecourse
Chester
CH1 2LY
01244 304 600

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