Chester Racing Tips - Friday 9th May 2025

13:30 – Chester

I thought this was a tricky handicap to solve and think the market support for Two Tempting looks justified as he has a lot in his favour and is only 1lb above the mark he won off here last summer. He has been backed from 6/1 into 11/4 and that looks short enough.

It would be no surprise if Pearl Eye ran well back up in trip after a good effort here on Wednesday, but the market has caught that move too and he is 15/2 from 16/1.

I’ll sit this one out.

14:05 – Chester

We have had the market flip around in this maiden contest with The Pouncing Lion into 5/4 and Ammes out to 3/1. I would just favour Ammes if forced into a bet after a solid effort behind Ernst Blofeld (3rd in a listed race next time out) – however there are plenty horses here all likely to improve and 3/1 still isn’t enough for me to bet here.

14:35 – Chester

I am pretty confident that THE FOXES can get his UK season off to a good start in this year’s Huxley Stakes. He is a horse with a great overall body of work and has bits of form way above the rest of this field.

He is coming here fit and off the back of a fantastic run when 2nd to Rebels Romance in Qatar. He is only 6/4 but I do think he could prove a cut above here and stall 1 should allow Oisin Murphy to dictate if he wants to.

I would have Liberty Lane as the main danger, but he is no bargain at 9/2 after being well backed. He was also a touch disappointing for me on his seasonal return at Doncaster.

THE FOXES 6/4 2PT WIN

15:05 – Chester

I love the Chester Cup as a spectacle and I think this is an intriguing renewal, especially with EAST INDIA

DOCK running here.

I want to make sure I do not lose on the race if James Owen’s charge wins this considering he could be very well treated off a mark of 89 following his hurdling exploits this season. That Triumph Hurdle  form is looking strong too after both Lulamba and Poniros backed up form at Punchestown. I actually think East India Dock was a tad unlucky following a ridiculous start in the Triumph too.

He is drawn well in stall six and although no bargain, looks a reasonable 10/3 shot.

The other horse I am going to back is ZOFFEE who won this last year off just a 1lb lower mark. He gets Joe Leavy on board this year to take 3lb off too so is arguably 2lb better off now. The case is very obvious and he looks a solid each way bet at anything double digits, so at 12/1 it is a bet I am certainly happy to have.

EAST INDIA DOCK 10/3 1pt win

ZOFFEE 12/1 0.5PT EW

15:40 – Chester

The last race on ITV coverage has 9 runners go to post and I think PENZANCE looks a solid option in this contest.

He was an eye-catcher in the Thirsk Hunt Cup last weekend when staying on strongly after losing all chance at the start. He will also relish going back up to 10f which is where all his winning has come.

You could argue it is a worry that he is yet to win on turf, but his form still holds up well on the grass.

He is in the form of his life and is readily available at 6/1 and I think anything over 5/1 makes him a sound each way bet.

PENZANCE 6/1 1PT EW