ITV Racing Tips – Friday 8th May 2026 Best Bets for Chester & Ascot

The final day of the Boodles May Festival is set for Friday, 8th May, with the big betting race of the week seeing a field of 17 go to post for the Chester Cup.

We have gone through all televised races on Friday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.

ITV’s coverage on Friday kicks off with the Great Cheshire Handicap over an extended mile and two. Triple Double A didn’t perform to his best last time out when racing too freely and beaten four lengths when seventh at Newbury.

Is dropped a 1lb on his return to Chester, having previously run well over an inadequate seven furlongs in June. Benefits from a low draw, and Luke Morris is back aboard for a Hugo Palmer yard that typically enjoys fruitful trips to Chester.

Ascot is also covered on ITV this Friday, with a Class 2 Handicap over seven furlongs due off at 13:50. May Angel is the runner from the John & Thady Gosden yard, with William Buick booked to take the ride.

The five-year-old likely needed his return to action when third but not beaten far at Newbury. That was his first start after wind surgery. Has previously won over seven furlongs, and he looks on a workable mark for an in-form yard.

Joulany should be primed to make amends for his near miss last time out in the EBF Maiden Stakes over an extended mile and four.

The three-year-old for trainer Ralph Beckett was beaten less than a length on his return at Newbury last time, and this step up in trip looks perfect for this Sea The Stars colt. Recent run should ensure that he is up to speed for this test.

Last year’s Derby and Irish Derby victor makes his return to the track in the Group Two Huxley Stakes. Lambourn represents the dominant Aidan O’Brien stable, who has already landed two group wins at the meeting this week.

Was below form at the end of a busy season last year, but was a dominant winner of the Chester Vase at this meeting 12 months ago, and the drop back to a mile and two should suit with a positive ride expected.

Joseph O’Brien could hold the aces in the big betting race of the day, the Chester Cup. Galileo Dame should be respected with Ryan Moore booked aboard, but the narrow preference is for A Piece Of Heaven, who has the services of Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard.

The eight-year-old looks primed for this race after two comeback runs at Dundalk and the Curragh, and was last seen staying on to finish a close second over a mile and six.

The step back up in trip is a notable plus, and he is on a competitive mark now dropped back into a handicap. Stall one is also a major plus for this front-running gelding.

The importance of low draws in sprints at Chester can’t be overlooked, ensuring that Secret Guest could be an interesting each-way play for the in-form Bryan Smart team in ITV’s finale.

The six-year-old should be race fit after a couple of comeback efforts, including last time out when eighth on the turf at Catterick. Performs to a decent level over six furlongs, winning over the trip at Thirsk on good ground last May. Paul Mulrennan is aboard, and this six-year-old ticks plenty of trends.