There are many racecourses spread over the length and breadth of the British Isles, but there is none quite like Chester. Employing an almost circular layout, this most distinctive of tracks requires the field to turn left-handed for the bulk of each 1m circuit. Placing an emphasis on the balance of the contenders, the course characteristics bestow a distinct advantage upon those drawn towards the inside rail.
Known as the Roodee, the Cheshire venue has staged competitive racing action for over 500 years, making the track one of the most historic horse racing venues in the world. The seasonal highlight comes in May with the annual edition of the unimaginatively named Chester May Festival.
Held over three days, from Wednesday to Friday, the May Festival is home to three recognised trials for the Epsom Derby and Oaks. However, this marathon two-mile handicap is invariably the biggest betting heat at the fixture. Requiring the field to navigate two complete circuits, the £150,000+ prize money regularly attracts challengers from the leading flat and National Hunt yards from both sides of the Irish Sea.
2024
- 1st - Zoffee 9/1, Jockey: Harry Davies, Trainer: Hugo Palmer
- 2nd - Emiyn 28/1, Jockey: Zak Wheatley, Trainer: Declan Carroll
- 3rd - Zanndabad 11/1, Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: A J Martin
2023
- 1st - Metier 5/1, Jockey: Saffie Osborne, Trainer: Harry Fry
- 2nd - Zoffee 11/1, Jockey: Ben Curtis, Trainer: Hugo Palmer
- 3rd - Call My Bluff 11/4F, Jockey: J F Egan, Trainer: Dominic Ffrench Davis
2022
- 1st - Cleveland 6/1, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- 2nd - Coltrane 9/2J, Jockey: Rob Hornby, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 3rd - Rajinksy 6/1, Jockey: Harry Davies, Trainer: Hugo Palmer
2021
- 1st - Falcon Eight 15/2, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: Dermot Weld
- 2nd - The Grand Visir 16/1, Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: Ian Williams
- 3rd - Hochfeld 9/1, Jockey: Ben Curtis, Trainer: Mark Johnston
2020
No Race – Suspension of Racing
2019
- 1st - Making Miracles 16/1, Jockey: Franny Norton, Trainer: Mark Johnston
- 2nd - Who Dares Wins 6/1, Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: Alan King
- 3rd - Whiskey Sour 9/2, Jockey: Andrea Atzeni., Trainer: Willie Mullins
2018
- 1st - Magic Circle 8/1, Jockey: Fran Berry, Trainer: Ian Williams
- 2nd - Fun Mac 15/2, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: Hughie Morrison
- 3rd - Who Dares Wins 9/1, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Alan King
2017
- 1st - Montaly 16/1, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: Andrew Balding
- 2nd - Yorkidding 9/1, Jockey: Richard Kingscote, Trainer: Mark Johnston
- 3rd - Fun Mac 25/1, Jockey: Jim Crowley Trainer: Hughie Morrison
2016
- 1st - No Heretic 11/1, Jockey: Jamie Spencer, Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- 2nd - Nakeeta 20/1, Jockey: Royston Ffrench, Trainer: Iain Jardine
- 3rd - Silver Concorde 5/1, Jockey: Pat Smullen, Trainer: Dermot Weld
2015
- 1st - Trip To Paris 10/1, Jockey: Graham Lee, Trainer: Ed Dunlop
- 2nd - Quick Jack 4/1F, Jockey: Richard Hughes, Trainer: A J Martin
- 3rd - Zafayan 6/1, Jockey: Pat Smullen, Trainer: Dermot Weld