Seven meetings take place on a busy day of racing across Britain and Ireland. Chester‘s May meeting comes to a close, with the Chester Cup the highlight.
GG tipster Joe Napier picks out our Lucky 15 tips, including three selections on the Roodee and a tip at Ascot.
Ascot Racing Tips (Friday 8 May)
Ascot begins a two-day meeting culminating in the Victoria Cup on Saturday. Our tip runs in the opening contest.
1.50 Ascot – May Angel (1pt win – 9/2)
The Gosdens have started 2026 well and May Angel is readily preferred in this opening handicap. A 28% strike rate this year speaks to a team in rude health and this gelding may be poised to strike. He was spoken of in reverent terms by Hollie Doyle after winning at Southwell last July. He was then fifth in another strong running of the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York. The subsequent Dewhurst scorer Gewan won that day and soft ground probably did not suit May Angel in first-time headgear to conclude his juvenile term at Newbury. On return, he ran well when third under Oisin Murphy back at Newbury over 7f. He should come on for that off this mark of 95 and is taken to rank higher.
Chester Racing Tips (Friday 8 May)
The final day of Chester’s May meeting features the Chester Cup, the big handicap of the meeting. In that race, and two others, we have a trio of best bets.
2.05 Chester – Joulany (1pt win – 11/8)
Beautifully bred and an expensive yearling, Joulany ran well on return. He was a close third in a first-time hood behind Maltese Cross, one of the shortest-priced British runners for the Derby. He was beaten only half-a-length though and the runner-up filled the same position in Listed company subsequently. Joulany was receiving 4lb from that duo having not won previously. However, he too has a Derby entry and may improve for this extra distance too. A brother to Al Aasy, he certainly has stamina in his pedigree. In this line-up, he has the best form in the book too.
2.35 Chester – King’s Gambit (1pt win – 7/1)
Derby winner Lambourn is frighteningly short on his late-season efforts. Despite winning here before Epsom, 1m2½f looks on the short side given they subsequently campaigned him for the St Leger. Preference is for King’s Gambit against him. Harry Charlton’s charge has flattered to deceive since regularly impressing as a three-year-old. Then again, he was a close third in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, and that race is always far more competitive than that level; it would be a Group race anywhere else in the calendar. He disappointed at York, then soft going went against him at Ayr. However, his second to Damysus on return at Newmarket was a perfectly sound return. He should come on for that and this track and trip should be ideal if he is on song.
3.05 Chester – A Piece Of Heaven (1pt win – 7/1)
Joseph O’Brien’s pair of A Piece Of Heaven and Galileo Dame have both claimed good draws in the Chester Cup. The latter is better on soft ground, and even after Thursday’s ground dilemma, that looks unlikely with the forecast. The selection has been a “nearly horse” on the flat over the last two years. His last winning mark was 7lb lower, but he has run well since. He was second in the Irish Cesarewitch in September 2024 off a rating of 100. He is off 101 here having twice finished second again since, including in a decent race at the Curragh in April. All types of going suit, stall 1 should ensure the eight-year-old gets a great early position and this will have been a likely target.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Friday 8 May
1.50 Ascot – May Angel (1pt win – 9/2)
2.05 Chester – Joulany (1pt win – 11/8)
2.35 Chester – King’s Gambit (1pt win – 7/1)
3.05 Chester – A Piece Of Heaven (1pt win – 7/1)
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Friday 8 May
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Chester – first race 13:30
- Ascot – first race 13:50
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Friday 8 May, which include selections at Ascot & Chester.
When were Friday’s Lucky 15 tips for Ascot & Chester published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Friday 8 May were published at 3.08pm on Thursday 7 May.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
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