Last Updated on 05/05/2026 by Andy Clark
ITV Racing returns on Wednesday 6 May for the opening day of the three-day Chester May Festival on the Roodee — a meeting which could throw up valuable Epsom Derby and Epsom Oaks clues, headlined by the Group 3 Chester Vase and the Listed Cheshire Oaks. Five televised races from Chester are joined by jumps action at Newton Abbot, where the Kauto The King Handicap Chase is the day’s main National Hunt event. Below: our expert race-by-race tips for every ITV Racing fixture this Wednesday.
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Wednesday’s ITV Racing Schedule
| Time | Course | Race | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:30 | Chester | CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes | Cl2, 2yo, 5f |
| 1:45 | Newton Abbot | Kauto The King Handicap Chase | Cl2, 5yo+, 2m5f |
| 2:05 | Chester | Earl Grosvenor Handicap | Cl2, 4yo+ 0-105, 7½f |
| 2:35 | Chester | Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks (Listed) | Cl1, 3yo Fillies, 1m3½f |
| 3:05 | Chester | Boodles Chester Vase (Group 3) | Cl1, 3yo, 1m4½f |
| 3:40 | Chester | American Holidays Handicap | Cl3, 3yo 0-90, 6f |
ITV Racing Tips Summary — Wednesday 6 May 2026
| Time | Race | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1:30 Chester | Lily Agnes Conditions | Final Appeal |
| 1:45 Newton Abbot | Kauto The King Chase | Centara |
| 2:05 Chester | Earl Grosvenor Handicap | Divine Libra |
| 2:35 Chester | Cheshire Oaks | I’m The One |
| 3:05 Chester | Chester Vase | Benvenuto Cellini |
| 3:40 Chester | American Holidays Handicap | Watcha Snoop (EW) |
1:30 Chester – CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes (GBB Race) Cl2 (2yo) 5f
Tip: Final Appeal
Adonius has looked a useful sort in registering a pair of wins, and Rebecca Menzies’ trailblazer is well-placed to attack this opening TV contest from the front, racing from the plum inside berth. However, he could find the concession of 5lbs to FINAL APPEAL a tough task, and Karl Burke’s charge is taken to follow up his own victory last time out.
The Inns Of Court colt found only Rotelle too good by a neck when making his debut at Nottingham last month, perhaps just needing the experience. But he stepped up markedly on the debut to go one better at Wolverhampton latest, readily beating Noble Raider, who has gone on to finish third in a valuable novices’ contest at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day.
Making all that day, he kicked clear off the home bend and powered away for an emphatic three lengths’ win and open to further improvement returning to turf, he can make his presence felt here.
1:45 Newton Abbot – Kauto The King Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Cl2 (5yo+) 2m5f
Tip: Centara
CENTARA was pulled up at Cheltenham when last seen out last October, but the Sageburg gelding has had wind surgery since and might be worth chancing on his reappearance for Paul Nicholls.
He progressed well over fences last summer, winning five times, which includes four over this course as well as Hereford, the last of which saw him strike by three lengths from Breaking Cover here last September.
It was a stronger race at Cheltenham when last seen, and he might have paid the price for helping to force a strong pace, while the run might have been one too many for him after a busy season, and he folded quickly after a mistake three out.
He does have stamina to prove over this trip, but he did win over 2m 3f over hurdles earlier in his career, although he’s largely campaigned at around two miles since going chasing. However, he has shaped as if he’ll get this far and assuming he’s fully fit ahead of this reappearance, then he could go well and resume the progress he showed last term.
2:05 Chester – Join Ladbrokes Bet 5 Get 30 Earl Grosvenor Handicap Cl2 (4yo+ 0-105) 7½f
Tip: Divine Libra
DIVINE LIBRA has been competitive off this sort of mark in the past, and Charlie Hills’ charge can end a lengthy losing run.
The Dark Angel gelding hasn’t tasted victory since winning over C&D back in May 2024, but he’s been a fixture since in plenty of top handicaps, and he has often acquitted himself well, including when finishing fifth off a higher mark than today’s in last season’s Buckingham Palace Stakes.
He’ll arrive here fit from a pipe-opener at Newmarket last month, where he finished eight lengths’ eighth behind Double Run, clearly in need of the run; but better is expected now with that under his belt, and the form of that reappearance was boosted when the winner went in again in a valuable handicap on Saturday past.
Dropped 1lb for that reappearance, he should strip much fitter this time around, and the two-time C&D winner could go well here, although he might have benefited from a kinder draw.
2:35 Chester – Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks (Listed Race) (Fillies) Cl1 (3yo) 1m3½f
Tip: I’m The One
Only five runners for this Oaks Trial, which could have an ante-post bearing on the Fillies’ Classic next month and I’M THE ONE can cement her place in the Epsom line-up on the back of her impressive debut success.
The Gosden runner ran out an easy six lengths’ victor over Allaire in that first outing, travelling strongly and although inexperience showed late on, she proved much too good for her rivals, with jockey William Buick not needing to get too serious on her. That bare form perhaps isn’t particularly strong, but she was visually impressive, and there’s surely better to come from her as she gains more experience.
This is a step up in class, but the Sea The Stars filly represents a yard which has won this with the likes of Enable in the past and while she may not hit the same heights as that stable superstar, she did look a potentially smart prospect in that debut victory, and she’s worth sticking with again here.
3:05 Chester – Boodles Chester Vase Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 (3yo) 1m4½f
Tip: Benvenuto Cellini
Hot on the heels of the Oaks Trial, this is a similar trial race for the Epsom Derby, and BENVENUTO CELLINI could prove a tough nut to crack on his reappearance.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge was progressive last term, winning two of his four starts, which included the Group Two KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown, and he was far from disgraced on his final start of the campaign when third behind Hawk Mountain in the Futurity Stakes, where the heavy ground was probably against him.
He can’t be judged too harshly on that run, and a quicker surface here ought to show him in a better light. His top yard continues in fine form, having won the 1000 Guineas at the weekend, and the Frankel colt represents a yard which has an excellent record in this contest, including winning twelve months ago.
For our full ante-post breakdown of Benvenuto Cellini’s Epsom Derby chances and the latest market prices, see our Epsom Derby 2026 Betting Odds article.
3:40 Chester – American Holidays Handicap Cl3 (3yo 0-90) 6f
Tip: Watcha Snoop (EW)
It might be worth chancing WATCHA SNOOP (EW) on his reappearance with Hugo Palmer’s charge taking a big drop in class on his handicap debut.
Thee Coulsty gelding struck at Ascot last September, beating Thaluna in a restricted novices’ contest by just over one length; that race has thrown up a few winners since, and he was outclassed on his next start in the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.
Sent to Ascot for Champions’ Day, he again found the company too hot, well beaten off in the end behind Mission Central and Ardisia. However, he faces nothing of that calibre here, and an opening mark of 85 on his handicap debut could prove lenient given he’s still relatively unexposed.
Best Free Bets for Chester May Festival Day One
| Bookmaker | Welcome Offer | Promo Code |
|---|---|---|
| Betfred | Bet £10 Get £50 | BETFRED50 |
| BoyleSports | Bet £10 Get £40 | None |
| bet365 | Bet £10 Get £30 | None |
| Coral | Bet £5 Get £30 | None |
| Virgin Bet | Bet £10 Get £30 | None |
All five bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed on UK and Irish racing — meaning if you take a price on any of today’s selections and the starting price is bigger, you’ll be paid out at the bigger price. See our Best Odds Guaranteed guide for full details.
For the Chester Cup on Friday and the rest of the May Festival, see our Chester Cup 2026 Betting Odds article.
More Horse Racing Tips and Free Bets
- ITV Racing Tips Hub
- Horse Racing Tips
- NAP of the Day
- Lucky 15 Tips
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide
- Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
- Horse Racing Free Bets and Offers
- Chester Cup 2026 Betting Odds
- Epsom Derby 2026 Betting Odds
- Constitution Hill Next Race
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Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.