Chester Cup Race Guide 2022

Last year’s winner, Falcon Eight will again have to defy top weight – and a 5lb higher mark than last year to win this.

He has had three spins over hurdles, winning one and running to a decent level last time out.

With soundness assured, he goes with a top chance, under a top jockey. 

The Grand Visir remains winless since his last success, in June 2019.

He has been running to a very solid level though, and he ran well in this last year to finish second to Falcon Eight, who he’s meeting on 6lb better terms today.

He has failed to fire recently, finishing last in his two starts on the flat. Risks attached, but has some class form to his name.

Rajinsky won on his first start for his new trainer, Hugo Palmer, on his seasonal reappearance.

He is steadily improving and he did it well last time out, certainly better than the official winning distance shows.

Rajinsky must have a decent chance for an in form team.

Reshoun is a high class handicapper, he proved he was up to this level when winning last year’s Ascot Stakes, at the Royal Ascot meeting.

He ran well enough thereafter but never really threatened to win on any occasion.

He is up against classy animals here but Reshoun is clearly battle hardened and will surely go well.

Runs for a top class organisation, though trainer Aidan O’Brien is yet to win a Chester Cup.

He has an interesting profile, running three times as a 2yo, but he didn’t see the track as a 3yo.

He ran well enough to finish 5th of 7 at Naas last time out, off the back of a 314 day absence. His bare form is not really up to the standard of some of these, but naturally you have to respect the yard. Fascinating runner.

Smart handicapper, who is best suited to big fields.

Arcadian Sunrise has also won a few times over hurdles, so rates as a very decent dual performer too.

With his running style though, he will need some luck in running and with Jamie Spencer on board, those familiar hold up tactics will likely be deployed.

Class performer, needs a bit of luck.

One of the younger horses in the field, at only 5 years of age, he’s still improving as a stayer.

He was a good second to the very well handicapped Earlofthecotswolds last time out at Kempton.

His last win came in the Melrose in 2020, from Arthurian Fable. His form is ok, but he’s clearly still improving.

It’s Good To Laugh has been running well over hurdles throughout the winter, so he’s been kept busy. His last run on the flat was last September, when winning a class 3 handicap on soft ground over a mile and a half.

He’s in good heart, and he could capitalise on a generous mark. 

4th on All Weather Finals day in April, behind Earlofthecotswolds, Nate The Great was squeezed for room around a half mile from home and ran on well towards the finish.

He’s always been there or thereabouts over this sort of trip, but he’s often found out by one or two.

Should run his usual solid race.

Torcello is often inconsistent so there are always risks attached, though he has ran to a very high level on occasions, and he definitely has big field experience on his side.

He will need to improve to take this though. 

Unraced beyond 1m6f, though he did win on that occasion at Killarney and he did keep on gamely.

He will need to raise his game a few notches as we have group class performers in this field, and stamina isn’t assured with this one. Best watched.

Made a mockery of his lowly mark last time out at Nottingham winning by two and a quarter lengths (heavily eased).

This son of Camelot is still improving, and his stamina is assured. Fascinating contender.

A solid dual purpose performer. He has a mark of 90 on the flat, which is fair, and he gets in off a nice low weight.

He’s in good heart, and is sure to run a good race, though he might not be on the same level of some of the classier horses in the field.

Improving and unexposed as a stayer.

He won over just shy of 2m from Macini towards the back end of last year, and he wasn’t stopping.

At a new trip, for an in form operation, he’s definitely hard to rule out.

Haliphon looks a shade out of his depth here. He ran well enough behind Rajinsky last time out (travelled well) but his run ultimately faded and he finished a well beaten fourth.

Will need to improve to get involved here, which is no guarantee. 

Byron Flyer is a solid horse. He’s a useful dual purpose performer, though may not be up to the class of some of these nowadays.

He is an 11yo now and he’s not getting any younger, trends suggest to go nowhere near this sort of profile. Best watched.