Chester - Thursday 7th May 2026
Seven Questions was a disappointing favourite at Ripon, but he was supported there thanks to a good third at Pontefract and there will be plenty who keep the faith. Canon's House pushed popular veteran Copper Knight all the way at Beverley on Monday and is respected in first-time cheekpieces. The lightly-raced Stratusnine must be considered, but his stable companion ROMAN DRAGON gets the nod. Seven of his nine career victories have come at this track and, off the same mark as when winning this 12 months ago, he could make a return to form.
Caturra Lights defied odds of 66/1 to reach the frame at Musselburgh and may well prove that effort was no fluke, but preference is for JAZZ QUEEN. Fancied on her racecourse bow at Newmarket, she missed the kick and left herself with a mountain to climb. The Too Darn Hot filly should be all the wiser for that experience, though, and a big run is anticipated with improvement on the cards. Paper View is also noted.
Aidan O'Brien recorded a staggering 12th Dee Stakes success with Mount Kilimanjaro last year and CONSTITUTION RIVER could make it lucky number 13 for the Ballydoyle maestro. Beaten a short head by subsequent Guineas third Distant Storm on his debut at Newmarket, he went on to land cramped odds at Galway before claiming Group 2 honours at the Curragh. As has been the case with others before him, the son of Wootton Bassett is sure to progress over middle-distances and might prove hard to beat. Feilden winner Morshdi is the obvious threat but don't rule out Golden Story, who made a winning introduction at Doncaster back in October.
Illinois began his 2025 campaign with success in this race, but couldn't quite build on it. He was put in his place by Trawlerman in the Ascot Gold Cup before just failing to successfully concede a stone to subsequent St Leger hero Scandinavia in the Goodwood Cup, and returns with something to prove following an Irish St Leger no-show. Ryan Moore instead partners JAN BRUEGHEL, who denied Illinois in the 2024 Leger and developed into a top middle-distance performer last season. Victory here should tee him up nicely for the defence of his Coronation Cup crown. Rahiebb came within a neck of Classic glory at Doncaster back in the autumn and looks set for a big year.
George Boughey saddled the winner of this 12 months ago and teams up with his 2000 Guineas-winning jockey Billy Loughnane with Mcmurray, who is the pick of the yard's trio and signed off his first campaign with a hat-trick. His stablemate Moonfall is partnered by Ryan Moore and must be taken seriously but FACTUAL has an edge in match fitness, having bettered his Lingfield second at Newcastle, and his sole previous appearance on turf resulted in a debut triumph at Salisbury. Archer Royal and King Of Thunder are a couple more to consider.
Jupiter Ammon is nicely drawn and could show improved form now tried in first-time cheekpieces, while Rastnet would be no surprise winner judged on her consistent performances on the all-weather. It might be worth chancing CELEBORN, who represents the 2000 Guineas-winning connections and appreciated the return to a sounder surface at Epsom last year when scoring on his seasonal bow. That was just his second start in a handicap and there could be more to come from the gelding now he stretches out in trip.
The manner in which MYTHICAL BAY broke through at Wolverhampton in January gives hope he'll relish this step up to 1m4f. Andrew Balding's charge was headed inside the final furlong over the extended 1m1f, but rallied to lead again close home and is now of huge interest making his handicap bow back on the grass. There are a few other unexposed three-year-olds in here boasting similar profiles, though, and it would be foolish to dismiss Moment Of Light, Galilean Quality and Magnetude.
ROMAN DRAGON can continue his excellent course record. He took this last year off the same mark before returning to win the Queensferry and he proved he was still in good heart in Bahrain over the winter. Canon's House was only caught late last time and is just 1lb above his last winning mark so looks a big danger from a decent draw in first time cheekpieces. Hat trick seeker Dapper Valley is also respected but 5f at this venue may just be on the sharp side.
CATURRA LIGHTS outran huge odds on debut and will be tough to beat if building on that effort. He finished well that day so the slightly longer trip should suit and he is chosen ahead of Undercover Affair who was a bit too keen but showed up well for a long way first time out. Sunrise At Dawn finished strongly on her debut having been outpaced and is a potential improver for this extra distance. She can complete the places.
CONSTITUTION RIVER was only narrowly denied by a future Group winner on debut and has remained unbeaten since including a victory in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes when last seen. He has been off for a while but is bred to relish this longer trip so can earn his trainer a win in this for the fourth year in a row. Feilden winner Morshdi looks the clear danger as he still looked a bit green on the undulating track that day and is open to further improvement over this longer trip. Stablemate of the selection Flushing Meadows is likely to be used as a pacemaker but can hold on for a place on the podium.
A strong renewal including last year's first pair home Illinois and Al Qareem. The former's form tailed off at the end of last year while the latter arrives fit after a Listed win so may be able to reverse the form. However there are a couple of other challengers he may struggle to beat including dual Group 1 winner JAN BRUEGHEL. He hasn't been seen since the King George but the form of his Coronation Cup victory has been franked emphatically so he is fancied to make a winning reappearance under Ryan Moore. Rahiebb was only narrowly denied in the Leger last time and surely has more to offer as a 4yo. He may prove the biggest challenger to the selection.
FACTUAL has won 2 of his 3 starts so far and is taken to improve that record here. The form of his latest novice form has been franked and he shaped that day as if this longer trip would be of benefit. He can take advantage of a lenient opening mark at the expense of the progressive Strength Of Spirit who was given too much to do behind an all the way winner in his hat trick bid last time. Mcmurray has racked up a hat trick and looks the pick of his yard on the jockey bookings. If he settles better he is open to further progression and could challenge.
HARVEY has been steadily progressing for his new yard and remains thrown in on his old French Group form so is a strong selection here. Though he could ideally do with some rain he remains completely unexposed over this trip and is fancied to defeat the consistent Rastnet. Perhaps the most interesting opponent is Seagolazo who hinted at a revival last time when finishing strongly over an inadequate mile. His best form last year came over middle distances and he should build on his latest run in a first time visor.
A tight contest to close which can go to GALILEAN QUALITY who appreciated the step up to 12f when making a winning handicap debut. He's only gone up 3lb for that and the form of his previous novice victory has been boosted since. Mythical Bay is another who looks well treated on his novice win and the way he finished that day suggested this step up in trip would be of benefit. His opening mark looks lenient and he can throw down the main challenge ahead of Parisian Scholar who has proven consistent over a variety of distances.
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