ITV Racing Tips for Friday’s Races at Chester’s May Meeting

We have reached the final day of Chester's May meeting and the feature race of the three-day extravaganza, the Chester Cup, will be the star attraction on Friday afternoon and our in-house tipster Steve Chambers has picked out not only his best bet for the marathon contest, but also has some selections elsewhere on the card...

13:30 Chester - Icm Stellar Sports Earl Grosvenor Handicap

We kick off Friday's card with a hugely competitive 7f 127y contest and the likes of Boardman, Red Mirage and Seasett will all head into the event with a win last time out, but the one that catches the eye is the William Haggas-trained BOOSALA, who will have the benefit of Ryan Moore, who rode a sensational treble on day one of the May meeting, and the five-year-old can defy top weight here. A winner off 97 last season at Doncaster, he then was narrowly denied off 100 in his final start last season, but he could only finish third on his comeback run at Doncaster earlier this season. That came in a Listed event, so a drop back into handicap company should see him land a more significant blow, and while he's on a career high mark of 104 he looks to have the potential to turn into a potential Pattern performer, so can land the spoils.

14:05 Chester - Deepbridge Handicap

It could prove to be a superb day for William Haggas as he could not only saddle the winner of the opening contest, but he could win the second with MUJTABA, who is looking to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, where he was unplaced when sent off a hot favourite, but previously he had been unbeaten during his three-year-old campaign. The son of Dubawi was unraced as a juvenile, but he racked up a trio of wins at the start of the career and headed to Doncaster as the one to beat. He shaped last season like he could have the potential to venture into Group company, and it's eye-catching that Haggas will step him up in trip to 1m 2f 70y on Friday. He will have to deal with a tough draw in stall seven, but if Jim Crowley can maintain a decent position from the start then he could well stamp his authority on the race in the closing stages, if he can see out the trip.

14:40 Chester - Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Ire-Incentive Scheme Huxley Stakes

A small, but select field line up for the Group 2 Huxley Stakes, which will see some seasoned middle-distance performers line up and the market is headed by the classy duo of Solid Stone and Megallan. The former won the Arc Trial at Newbury last season, which is decent form, but he disappointed on his last run in Riyadh, so it's wise to stick with the more consistent MEGALLAN, who is sure to strip fitter for a fine second placed finish in the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket. John & Thady Gosden's charge won the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury last season before he struggled in Group 2 company in France, but the son of Kingman could blossom this campaign and looks a tough nut to crack here.

15:15 Chester - Tote+ Chester Cup Handicap

Aidan O'Brien is yet to train the winner of the Chester Cup during his illustrious career, but the master of Ballydoyle can add the coveted handicap marathon to his glittering CV on Friday, as CLEVELAND can bound to glory. Drawn stall ten, which will certainly make things more difficult, the son of Camelot ended his 2020 campaign with a heavy ground victory, but he wasn't seen throughout 2021 and made a pleasing comeback in Listed company last month. Lining up in a Naas event over ten furlongs, the Irish raider was a decent fifth behind Layfayette, who has since boosted the form with a Group 2 win at the Curragh. This is a whole new test as he runs over 2m 2f 140y here, but O'Brien would certainly not be giving him a chance here if he didn't think he would stay, and a mark of 98 looks workable, if he can build on his run last time which is sure to have blown away the cobwebs. A fascinating challenger, Cleveland could well turn into a decent stayer this season, and a win here can propel him into potential Cup company later on in the campaign.