14:05 Chester

Saturday 13 September 2025

All13:3514:0514:4015:2316:0016:3517:0517:35

Virgin Bet Stand Cup Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 2m 36.61s

(2)

Hamish⁹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 117| C| D

11/8

Admirable performer for connections who enhanced his excellent record when fresh with success in 5-runner listed race at Goodwood (12f, good to soft) in June, holding on gamely to deny Military Academy by a neck. Much respected after 3 months off.

Form: 24521-1

(3)

Champagne Prince²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 95| D

12/1

Back-to-back winner at the turn of the year, scoring in conditions race at Southwell (11.1f) in January. Hasn't been able to kick on subsequently, though, fifth of 10 in handicap at York (11.8f, good to firm) 22 days ago. Has work to do in this contest.

Form: 1-14605

(1)

Grey Cuban^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: H Palmer| OR: 105| C

12/1

Career-best effort when winning handicap at this course (10.3f) in July, successful in the race for second year in succession. Excuses when down the field both starts since, taking a wide route at Sandown (10f, soft) 2 weeks ago, but this is tougher upped in grade.

Form: 792100

(5)

Military Academy^p⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K T O'Neill| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111| D

6/4

Won 3 of 4 starts last year and good second in listed race at Goodwood (12f) in June, beaten only a neck by Hamish. Tough ask upped in grade/trip for Goodwood Cup (16f, good) 46 days ago, but he's now 3 lb better off with Hamish. Major player.

Form: 21-2727

(6)

Mount Atlas²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 107| BF| D

8/1

Shaped well when fifth in 18-runner Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot before opening account for the season back at Ascot the following month. Seemed unsuited by making the running at York (11.8f, good to firm) 22 days ago, so no surprise to see him bounce back.

Form: 2-45519

Non-Runners

(4)

Sir Dinadan⁴⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Edward Greatrex

Forecasts

Hamish (11/8), Military Academy (6/4), Sir Dinadan (4/1), Mount Atlas (8/1), Grey Cuban (12/1), Champagne Prince (12/1)

Following a 3-month break, MILITARY ACADEMY was only narrowly denied by Hamish when the pair met at Goodwood in June and he is taken to reverse the form now reopposing on 3 lb better terms. The 4-y-o has since found it difficult in the Goodwood Cup but can open his account for the season back down in grade/distance, with Mount Atlas the pick of the remainder.

Previous Winners

2024

Al Qareem

Weight: 9-5 |Age: 5

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin | T: K R Burke

4/5

Prize Money

1st: £34,026.002nd: £12,900.003rd: £6,456.004th: £3,216.005th: £1,614.006th: £810.00