Four Horses Who Could Feature at Royal Ascot After the Chester May Festival

The Chester May Festival is a key fixture in the British flat racing calendar—not only for its high-class action on the Roodee, but for unearthing potential stars for the summer season ahead.

With Royal Ascot fast approaching, several standout performers at Chester could be poised for a shot at glory in Berkshire next month.

More Ascot tips and pointers are being provided by the day, so here are four horses who made an impression at Chester and could be bound for the Royal meeting.

Ali Shuffle – Queen Mary Stakes

The opening day of the May meeting began with a bang courtesy of Ali Shuffle, who enhanced her growing reputation with a front-running victory in the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes. Trapped in the plum draw in stall one, the speedy daughter of A’Ali made all over the minimum trip to complete a hat-trick for trainer Karl Burke.

Still unbeaten in three starts, she’s now firmly on course for the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes, where her early pace and tenacity could make her a serious contender. Currently priced around 16/1, Ali Shuffle is one of the more intriguing juvenile fillies emerging ahead of Royal Ascot.

Redorange – Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes

Redorange showcased his sprinting credentials in a competitive five-furlong handicap on Day 1, taking full advantage of a low draw to score smartly under Rossa Ryan for trainer Clive Cox. Gelded at the back end of last season, he looks to have taken a notable step forward this year, now maturing into a sharp, reliable sprinter.

That performance has put him in the frame for a crack at the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes, a fast-and-furious sprint handicap for three-year-olds on the Friday of Royal Ascot. If he continues to progress, he’ll be a dangerous player with his proven gate speed and experience in big-field handicaps.

Illinois – Ascot Gold Cup

All eyes were on Illinois on Ladies’ Day at Chester, and Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old didn’t disappoint.

The former St Leger runner-up made a winning seasonal return in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes, travelling powerfully and staying on strongly in the closing stages.

That win has sparked talk of a tilt at the Ascot Gold Cup, where he’s currently a 10/1 chance. Of course, O’Brien also trains the mighty Kyprios, who’s seeking a third Gold Cup title—but the Ballydoyle maestro has hinted he might not run another stablemate against his staying star.

Should the four-year-old get the green light from Coolmore and O’Brien, though, he has the class and stamina to be a serious player in the two-and-a-half-mile showpiece.

Tricky Tel – Coventry Stakes

Trainer Hugo Palmer unleashed an exciting newcomer in Tricky Tel, who won the five-and-a-half-furlong Maiden Stakes in eye-catching fashion on debut.

Backed as if defeat was out of the question, he duly obliged—pulling three and a quarter lengths clear under Oisin Murphy in a dominant display.

A tilt at the Group 2 Coventry Stakes over six furlongs at Royal Ascot is already under consideration, and on the evidence of his Chester performance, it’s a step he looks ready to take.

Bred for speed and showing professionalism beyond his experience, Tricky Tel is one to watch among the juvenile ranks this summer.