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Today on Sky Sports Racing: Frankie Dettori and Falcon Eight bidding for repeat Chester Cup success

The stamina-sapping Chester Cup takes place at 3:15, with 17 runners expected to line up; the class race on the card takes place at 2:40, the Group Two Huxley Stakes; watch every race from Chester live on Sky Sports Racing

Frankie Dettori riding Falcon Eight wins the Chester Cup
Image: Frankie Dettori riding Falcon Eight wins the Chester Cup in 2021

The final day of the Chester May Festival features the highlight of the three-day meeting, the Tote+ Chester Cup with over £77,000 going to the winner, won in 2021 by Falcon Eight and Frankie Dettori. 

Frankie bids to go back-to-back

Tote+ Chester Cup (3:15 Chester)

A field of 14 go to post for Friday's headline race with Falcon Eight - ridden by Frankie Dettori - bidding to become the first horse since Anak Pekan in 2005 to win back-to-back Chester Cups.

The Dermot Weld-trained seven-year-old will bid to defy top weight under Dettori and is 5lb higher in the ratings for last year's success.

Chester May Festival LIVE!
Chester May Festival LIVE!

Watch every race of the Chester May Festival live on Sky Sports Racing, Wednesday May 4 to Friday May 6

Heading the opposition looks to be Hugo Palmer's Solent Gateway, who will carry 19lb less than the defending champion under Ben Curtis.

Palmer - who has recently moved to Michael Owen's Manor House Stables in Cheshire - enjoyed a winner with Ever Given on Wednesday and could strike again with the four-year-old course winner.

Cleveland is the ride of the in-form Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien combo, while 2019 Royal Ascot winner and last year's second The Grand Visir also returns in the race.

Also See:

Solid Stone ridden by William Buick (right) wins The Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes at Newbury
Image: Solid Stone ridden by William Buick (right) wins The Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes at Newbury

Stoute looking for seventh Huxley with Solid Stone

Huxley Stakes (2:40 Chester)

Sir Michael Stoute chases a seventh Huxley Stakes with Group Three winner Solid Stone, who returns from an underwhelming run in the Neom Turf Cup on Saudi Cup night in Riyadh back in February.

His task has been made easier with the withdrawal of Al Aasy, who instead heads for Ascot on Saturday, so unexposed four-year-old Magellan could now be the main danger for Dettori and the John & Thady Gosden team.

King's Lynn wins the Wentworth Stakes
Image: King's Lynn wins the Wentworth Stakes

King's Lynn to strike for The Queen?

Boodles Secret Garden Conditions Stakes (3:45 Chester)

The Queen has an excellent chance to claim a winner on The Roodee in the Boodles Secret Garden Conditions Stakes for David Probert and Andrew Balding with King's Lynn.

The five-year-old carries a penalty for a Listed success but has been drawn in stall one, which can often prove crucial in sprints around the tight Chester turns.

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Hugo Palmer's Flaming Rib heads the potential opponents from stall two, alongside Blue De Vega (Robert Cowell) and Acklam Express (Nigel Tinkler).

Pundit Picks

Latest Sky Bet odds I Friday race cards

Alex Hammond

1:30 Chester - Revich

2:05 Chester - Mujtaba

3:15 Chester - Morph Speed

3:45 Chester - King's Lynn

Kevin Blake

2:05 Chester - Lord Protector

2:40 Chester - Majestic Dawn

3:15 Chester - Morph Speed

Watch every race from Chester, Ascot, Ripon and Wolverhampton live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 535) on Friday May 6.