14:35 Chester

Friday 8 May 2026

All13:3014:0514:3515:0515:4016:1016:4517:20

Deepbridge Huxley Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 2m 8.77s

(7)

Bay City Roller¹⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: George Scott| OR: 117

9/2

Runner-up in 3 Group 2s in France before easily winning a soft-ground Group 1 at Munich (1½m) on his final 3-y-o start, taking advantage of the odds-on favourite failing to fire. That very smart performance gives him leading form claims here, even under a 3 lb penalty.

Form: 262241-

(4)

High Stock¹⁸⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 105

25/1

Made a very good start to his career last spring, winning maiden at Newmarket and runner-up in the Dee over C&D this meeting. Ran well when fourth in a listed event at Goodwood on his penultimate start but rather laboured at Kempton after and he'll need to improve returning from 6 months off.

Form: 12044-

(3)

Ice Max²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 110| BF

16/1

Made his class tell with an authoritative success in handicap company at York (1m, good) in October before following up in ready fashion in a Nottingham listed event (8.3f) later that month. Raced too freely when only mid-field in a Dusseldorf Group 3 last month but claims if able to bounce back.

Form: 65711-5

(5)

King's Gambit²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 111| D

9/2

Won the London Gold Cup on return last year and even better form when placed in listed/Group races next 3 outings. Ran creditably despite looking in need of a greater test when 3¾ lengths second of 6 to Damysus in the Earl of Sefton (9f) at Newmarket 3 weeks ago and he holds solid claims.

Form: 46352-2

(2)

Lambourn^p1²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 119| C

6/4

Last year's Chester Vase winner looked the leading middle-distance 3-y-o when taking the 18-runner Derby at Epsom before pulling out all the stops to follow up in the Irish Derby. Mid-division in the Voltigeur and St Leger subsequently and he's not certain to be suited by shorter trip on return.

Form: 211154-

(8)

Royal Rhyme^t¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 115| BF| D

11/1

Campaigned mostly in Group 1 company since winning the Brigadier Gerard Stakes just over 2 years ago. Ran only twice in 2025 but shaped as if retaining ability when sixth to Starford in Alleged Stakes at the Curragh on comeback, going with plenty of zest before lack of recent run told late. Player.

Form: 673/35-6

(9)

Starford¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 111| D

13/2

Smart handicap performance to win over 11f at Listowel last September and made the breakthrough at pattern level in the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh (1¼m, heavy) 19 days ago. This trip is perhaps a minimum for him though, so the speed-favouring nature of Chester might not suit quite as well.

Form: 1217-51

(6)

Sky Safari^t⁷⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 106| D

33/1

Signed off 2025 by winning pair of Kempton handicaps and 10-runner listed event at Lingfield (1m) in November. Better than ever when beating 4 rivals to take the Winter Derby (1¼m, all-weather) back at Lingfield 76 days ago but no certainty that she'll be as effective back on turf.

Form: 0111-21

(1)

Sparks Fly⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Loughnane| T: D Loughnane| OR: 112| CD

28/1

Mudlark recorded a hat-trick of listed race victories in late 2024 and produced the best effort of an otherwise mediocre 2025 campaign when taking the Group 3 Prix Perth (1m, soft) at Saint-Cloud in October. Probably needed the run there on return but she looks opposable with conditions against her.

Form: 1/8381-0

Forecasts

Lambourn (6/4), Bay City Roller (9/2), King's Gambit (9/2), Starford (13/2), Royal Rhyme (11/1), Ice Max (16/1), High Stock (25/1), Sparks Fly (28/1), Sky Safari (33/1)

ROYAL RHYME presumably had his problems to be seen just twice in 2025 but he shaped very well for a long way on return at the Curragh and he might be worth chancing in a competitive-looking renewal of the Huxley. King's Gambit kept good company last year and was an encouraging second over a shorter trip at Newmarket last month, so is shortlisted alongside the likeable Bay City Roller, who signed off his 3-y-o season by winning a Group 1 in Germany.