Friday, 8th May
Chester
It’s the Boodles May Festival 2026 this week at Chester – running Wednesday through Friday, with the climax on the final day of racing.
Blindedbythelights - Chester Cup (3:05)
The Ladbrokes Chester Cup is the one to watch, with a maximum of 17 runners taking on the 2m2½f course.
Trainer Joseph Patrick O'Brien has four of the top five runners, including “Galileo Dame,” “Puturhandstogether,” “Leinster,” and “A Piece of Heaven.” However, it’s “Blindedbythelights,” trained by Sir Mark Prescott Bt, that I’ve got circled as the one to watch. Catch it on ITV4 for free.
Bay City Roller - Huxley Stakes (2:35)
The one before the big one – the Deepbridge Huxley Stakes currently has just 9 entries, with A P O’Brien’s “Lambourn” the early favourite.
I think George Scott’s “Bay City Roller”, who won last time out in Munich, offers fantastic value – but “Royal Rhyme” could be a great EW bet. Watch for free on ITV4.
Saturday, 9th May
Lingfield
The Derby and Oaks Trials 2026 run this Saturday at Lingfield, with 7 races, all of which are free to watch on ITV and Sky.
Zanthos - Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes (2:40)
The William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes is expected to be the day’s most exciting event, with a 7f race and a maximum of 18 runners, though only 11 are currently entered.
Simon & Ed Crisford’s 3-year-old “Zanthos” is the one to beat, with a short but impressive record of two wins and a second-place finish. William Knight’s “Royal Velvet” also looks good, having won last time out at Newmarket in April over 7f.
Ascot
It’s the Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% May Racing Weekend at Ascot this weekend, offering two days of fantastic racing.
Tuco Salamanca - Victoria Cup (2:20)
The Carey Group Victoria Cup is the big one at Ascot this weekend, with 29 runners tackling the gruelling 7f course.
Tuco Salamanca, trained by Ollie Sangster, is my one to watch in this race. He won last time out over 6f at Kempton in March but will face fierce competition from “Mudbir,” “Power Fizz,” and “Shiplake” – the trio that currently make up the early top three. Watch all the action unfold on Sky.
Sunday, 10th May
Leopardstown
Over to Ireland now, and the Derby Trial Family Day, with eight races, is well worth checking out.
Snellen - The Al Shira'aa Racing 'Mutamakina' Stakes (2:25)
The Al Shira'aa Racing 'Mutamakina' Stakes is the one to watch – a 7f slug with 34 runners entered.
Gavin Cromwell’s “Snellen” is my pick for this one, having won last time out at Leopardstown over 1m1f. She has experience over longer distances – winning at both Ascot and Limerick in 2023. An EW bet will be sensible given the size of the field, but a successful win market at an early price could be the difference between a good and a great bet.
