Chester Boodles May Festival 2024 betting preview – Day three
THE FINAL day of what has been a great Chester May Festival up to this point, and today we witness the historic Chester Cup which was first run in 1824.
A race where you need all the luck in the world to win, but that adds to the spectacle of it all.
Away from the Chester Cup is the Group 2 Irish Huxley Stakes where Aiden O’Brien looks to make it 3 wins out of the last 4 runnings, as well as some tough handicaps.
I cover four races today with some great each-way selections that you can bet on through the top list below.
You can also find the best odds and betting offers with some of my go-to horse racing betting sites.
Chester 13:30 - 7f CAA Stellar Earl Grosvenor Handicap
If Joe Fanning hasn’t ridden a winner by the time we get to the first race on Friday, I will be shocked, but even if so, I think he might be able to get on the board here.
He partners the Charlie Johnston trained FINN’S CHARM who looks to put some disappointing runs from last season behind him.
Having won on the back of a similar break last season he comes here only 4lb higher for that win. Johnston runners have been running well at this early stage of the season, and having been given a wind op he has a lot going for him.
The draw is less than ideal, but if breaking on terms he has more than enough ability to be fighting out the finish here at a backable each-way price of 17/2.
Selection: Finn’s Charm 13/2
Danger: Boardman 14/1
Current betting: Liamarty Dreams 9/2, Dancing Magic 6/1, Finn’s Charm 17/2, Percy’s Lad 9/1, Revich 11/1, Alzahir 12/1, 12/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on Finn’s Charm each way at 17/2 with bet365 🏇
Chester 2:35 - 5f tote.co.uk Free Bet Friday Handicap Handicap
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum is dominating the top of the market with recent winners Bolster and Botanical, but I will be siding with the less fancied of the two runners, BOTANICAL at 5/1.
Having not run since October 2nd, 2023 you are taking fitness on trust, and I do not doubt that we will see a good showing here.
He has racked up 2 wins from 3 runs on turf (five runs altogether) and comes here with a lot of improvement, very much a possibility.
His last win came off a mark of 87, but after his demolition job at Hamilton (2nd, and 3rd have won since), he starts the season off with a mark of 97. Given the impressive nature of the win, this mark should not be beyond him.
Drawn 9 is fine for Botanical as he is one who sits off the pace, and with plenty of pace on show, he should get a nice toe into the race.
Selection: Botanical 5/1
Danger: Killybegs Warrior 6/1
Current betting: Bolster 4/1, Botanical 5/1, City Streak 6/1, Killybegs Warrior 13/2, Box To Box 8/1, 12/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on Botanical at 5/1 to win with Betfred 🏇
Chester 15:05 - Group 2 1m 2 ½f Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes
Very much a tight renewal of the Huxley Stakes with cases to be made for all 9 runners. But one who comes in here with a lot to like in a race such as this is ISRAR.
Currently a 4/1 shot he comes here on the back of a good 3rd in the Group 3 bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown, where he only lost out by 1 length, fading inside the final 100 yards.
Before his 3rd in the Gordon Richards Stakes, he had a stint in the Far East which saw him finishing 2nd to Spirit Dancer in the valuable Bahrain International Trophy. A reproduction of that run should see him bang there at the finish.
Trip wise he is very versatile, recording wins from 1m2f to 1m4f (beat 1½ lengths over 1m6f), his style of racing might pay to Jim Crowley being able to dictate his own fractions, and make his race fitness count.
Selection: Israr 4/1
Danger: Passenger 3/1
Current betting: Passenger 3/1, Israr 4/1, Hans Anderson 13/2, Royal Rhyme 8/1, Regal Reality 12/1, 14/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on Israr to win with Coral 🏇
Chester 3:40 - 2m 2½f Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Cup
The highlight of the Booble Chester May Festival is the Chester Cup. Seventeen runners will load up and set on their way for the cavalry charge to the first bend.
You can't win the Chester Cup from the start, but you sure can lose it if missing the break.
It’s hard to nail down one solid selection, but when looking at these races I tend to always side with the jumpers.
Known that they shouldn’t have any issues staying, and with the different training style to their flat counterparts, they are less likely to crumble when the taps are turned on.
With that said, I have two against the field who I think have it in them to be bang there at the finish.
The first one may not be a surprise to many, and that is the 11 year old, THE SHUNTER at 10/1.
Better known for his work over jumps, The Shunter is trained by a man who is becoming a dab hand at targeting big handicaps with his horses, and more times than not he hits the target and he hit it big time with this lad last October when winning the Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket.
Upped 6lb for that win, and coming here fresh, I’m sure Emmet Mullins will have him spot on for a race that should be run to suit.
The second one that interests me is last season's 2nd, ZOFFEE.
He showed last season that he needs every yard of this 2m 2½f around here, and comes here 3lb lower than when a neck 2nd to Metier in last season's running. He switched from Hugo Paler to Olly Murphy for a stint over hurdles, but it just wasn't his cup of tea.
Now back with Hugo, Zoffee has every chance of going one place better than last season.
Selections: The Shunter & Zoffee
Current betting: Grand Providence 8/1, Duke Of Oxford 9/1, Aztec Empire 10/1, The Shunter 10/1, Magellan Strait 12/1, Zoffee 12/1, Falcon Eight 14/1, 16/1 bar.
🏇 Bet on The Shunter & Zoffee to win with Ladbrokes 🏇
About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube's . Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you're a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
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