Odds, trends and betting predictions for the 2025 Chester Cup
This historic handicap headlines the card at Chester on Friday 9th May
Hot Fuss and Charging Thunder are our two against the field
Expired
The Chester Cup. (Getty)
The third and final card at Chester's May Festival is headlined by one of the biggest betting races of the year, the Chester Cup. This 18-furlong handicap was first staged on the Roodee back in 1824, and a capacity field of 17 has been confirmed for Friday's renewal.
Here's our free guide to the 2025 Chester Cup, featuring the latest odds, key trends and our best betting tips.
2025 Chester Cup Odds
Name
Odds
East India Dock
4/1
Leinster
5/1
Who's Glen
6/1
Caballo De Mar
8/1
Hot Fuss
10/1
Zoffee
12/1
Bar
14/1
2025 Chester Cup Trends
16 of the last 18 winners went off at 16/1 or shorter (Only 1 winning favourite)
14 of the last 18 winners carried between 8-11 and 9-04
14 of the last 18 winners were drawn in stall 11 or lower
14 of the last 18 winners had won at Class Two level or above
13 of the last 18 winners were aged between 4 and 6
13 of the last 18 winners had won over 2m
12 of the last 18 winners were having their first run at Chester (5 of the other 6 ran in the last Chester Cup)
12 of the last 18 winners had run at least once that year
Zoffee won this race from stall one 12 months ago and the defending champion has landed a lovely low draw again, having been placed in stall four.
While a low draw is usually vital around Chester, the previous four winners before Zoffee were all drawn in double-figure stalls, so it's clearly not impossible to win from a potentially tricky stall.
2025 Chester Cup Tip 1 - Hot Fuss
Despite being ousted from Manor House Stables three years ago, Tom Dascombe has maintained an excellent strike-rate at the May Festival. Dascombe never managed to saddle the Chester Cup winner when housed at Michael Owen's local stables, but that could change when HOT FUSS (10/1) arrives on the Roodee.
Like favourite East India Dock, Hot Fuss has spent most of the last 12 months running in juvenile hurdles. In-fact, Dascombe's four-year-old was only beaten four lengths by James Owen's star when they met at Wincanton in October, before going on to win at Sandown and finish an excellent fourth in the Boodles Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Before heading to the Festival, Pierre-Louis Jamin rode Hot Fuss to an impressive handicap triumph at Southwell, where he was being eased down and still clocked an RPR of 93. Hot Fuss has plenty of back-class and arrives at Chester on the back of an excellent National Hunt campaign. From stall three, he must have a big chance.
David Bass riding Hot Fuss clear the last to win The Daily Tips On Betting.Betfair 'Introductory' Juvenile Hurdle at Sandown in December. (Getty)
2025 Chester Cup Tip 2 - Charging Thunder
East India Dock is one of three runners for James Owen in Friday's feature. David Probert will partner with CHARGING THUNDER (25/1), who failed to win on his final 19 starts for David O'Meara, but has struck four times in seven outings since joining Owen's yard in September.
Charging Thunder made a winning debut for new connections on the flat at Yarmouth, before scoring twice in novice hurdles. After a winter break, Owen's recruit won a good little race on the all-weather at Southwell and went on to finish a very close second to Moon Over Miami in the Silver Bar Handicap at Newbury on the opening day of their Spring Cup meeting.
A slow start meant Charging Thunder sat some 12 lengths adrift of Caballo De Mar turning for home at Southwell 12 days ago, but a strong finish saw Owen's seven-year-old finish just five lengths adrift of the winner back in fifth. Probert will have to work some magic from stall 16, but he's ridden plenty of winners around this historic track and a poor draw should ensure the dangerous Charging Thunder goes off at a lengthy price.
Live Stream
Visit our Chester Cup Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Friday's races from Chester via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Hot Fuss and Charging Thunder are our two against the field for the 2025 Chester Cup.
2023 Chester Cup Tip 1: Hot Fuss 2025 Chester Cup Tip 1 @10/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
2023 Chester Cup Tip 2: Charging Thunder E/W 2025 Chester Cup Tip 2 @25/1 at BoyleSports - 5 Units
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