The Chester May Festival closes today with Chester Cup Day. Three days have produced two Classic market leaders, one course-specialist winner for the ninth time in as many years, and one international qualification race. Here is the three-day review.
Wednesday — Trials Day
O'Brien and Moore won both the Cheshire Oaks and the Chester Vase — the second consecutive year they completed the Chester double. Amelia Earhart won the Cheshire Oaks, wearing first-time blinkers, and is now the Epsom Oaks favourite. I'm The One, who arrived as the Oaks market leader, finished second — connections considering the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot as an alternative route. Benvenuto Cellini won the Chester Vase authoritatively at 2/7 and is now 3/1 for the Derby. O'Brien bids for a fourth consecutive Derby win on June 6. Adonius maintained his unbeaten record winning the Lily Agnes from stall 1.
Thursday — Ladies Day
Roman Dragon added his eighth Chester win, prevailing by a head from stablemate Dubai Bling in the CAA Stellar Handicap. Hugo Palmer had two of the first two. The Palmer 1-2 from his Cheshire base confirmed the yard's seasonal peak has arrived at the right time for the Festival. The Ormonde Stakes today provides the first international qualifying race of the new Chester-NYRA partnership — the winner earns NYRA Manhattan Stakes entry.
Friday — Chester Cup Day
The Chester Cup at 3:05pm closes the Festival. A record 86 entries. Galileo Dame (O'Brien, Moore, stall 6) is the leading selection. The Chester Festival departs with two new Classic market leaders heading toward Epsom in June, one confirmed eight-time course winner in Roman Dragon, and a new international dimension through the NYRA partnership.
What the Festival Means for June
The Derby on June 6 now has a clear market leader — Benvenuto Cellini at 3/1, with O'Brien's preparation path identical to last year's Derby winner Lambourn. The Oaks on June 7 has a new favourite — Amelia Earhart replacing I'm The One, with I'm The One possibly redirected to Royal Ascot. The Dante Festival at York on May 15-17 is the next major Derby evidence day — where a potential challenger to Benvenuto Cellini will emerge from the Saturday Dante Stakes.
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Facts verified via web search May 8 2026.