Racing Weekly: Horse Racing news round-up - May 12th, 2026

Races Now's Harry Fowler keeps you abreast of all the key talking points in British horse racing with his new Racing Weekly column.

What a time of year we currently have for racing. Chester's three-day meeting last week rolled into the Lingfield trials at the weekend, then into Sunday where France hosted their equivalents of the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, and now into this week with York's Dante meeting leading into a proper day of racing at Newbury featuring the Lockinge.

Chester May Festival racing review - May 6th-8th 2026

What a time of year we currently have for racing. Chester's three-day meeting last week rolled into the Lingfield trials at the weekend, then into Sunday where France hosted their equivalents of the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, and now into this week with York's Dante meeting leading into a proper day of racing at Newbury featuring the Lockinge.

Last Wednesday, the May Festival at the Roodee kicked off. On day one, we had the Cheshire Oaks over 1m 3.5f and the favourite was I'm The One, who certainly made an impression on debut – but this always looked a huge step up taking on Amelia Earhart from the Aidan O'Brien yard.

Amelia Earhart came out on top and she looked a proper beast of a filly. Her professionalism certainly made the difference in comparison to the favourite, who was rather green and went very wide on the bend, but the O'Brien filly did it nicely in the end.

The instant reaction after the race was that I'm The One may not now head to the Oaks after that run. There is no doubting her talent, but she has a lot to learn after being unraced as a two-year-old. Amelia Earhart is now a firm favourite for that Classic at 9/4 and, at this stage, that is hard to argue with.

The feature race on day one was the Chester Vase over 1m 4.5f. Benvenuto Cellini was the short-priced favourite for the Aidan O'Brien team and he never really looked like getting beaten. The race looked weak, but he did it nicely enough to be installed as our current Epsom Derby favourite.

Day two, once we eventually got to the racing after much controversy over the safety of the ground, saw a similar story with total Aidan O'Brien domination.

The first race of note was the Dee Stakes over 1m 2.5f and William Haggas decided to pull Morshdi on account of the ground, leaving Constitution River a very short favourite. He won the race very easily but, like Benvenuto Cellini, they were both sent off at 2/9 and won pretty much as expected.

Constitution River seems one that could go to either the French Derby or the Epsom Derby. He looks more suited to the French 10f rather than the 12f at Epsom, although I do think he would stay the trip in the latter.

The feature race on day two was the 1m 5.5f Ormonde Stakes, with Jan Brueghel the 4/7 favourite making his return. He was last seen when finishing what at the time looked a somewhat disappointing fourth in the King George, although the horses in front of him did not end last season too badly.

It was great to see him back and he ran out a ready winner. Illinois, acting somewhat as a pacemaker, which I can see happening more often for him, was swept aside nicely and Jan Brueghel looked to have plenty in hand. His next stop is an attempt to retain his Coronation Cup crown at Epsom.

On the third and final day of the Chester May Festival, we had the 1m 2.5f Huxley Stakes. Going into the race, I did think Chester and this trip could be a bit sharp for Lambourn, but what a performance.

Ryan Moore had to work hard on him almost all the way around and, turning in, the way Bay City Roller drew alongside made it look all over for the dual Derby winner, but he certainly had other ideas. The way he battled and refused to be beaten was admirable and, like yesterday's Ormonde Stakes winner, he is set for the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Lingfield Trials Day and French Guineas thoughts

Onto Saturday at Lingfield for more Derby and Oaks trials, with both races having something in common: a Godolphin favourite that bombed out.

That certainly had a huge impact on the strength of the form and, with Aidan O'Brien sending over what looked like the B team, I do not think we have seen a Derby or Oaks winner there.

For all I called it Aidan O'Brien's B-team, in the Oaks Trial he still had Cameo run out a 4 3/4 length winner. With only five runners, it is hard to get too excited however, given Prizeland finished second.

In the Derby Trial, it was Maltese Cross who got the job done. He is not the flashiest horse in the world, but he does enjoy a tussle and just does enough. His three career wins have come by a head, a neck and a neck. He looks one that could run well in a Derby, but I do think Aidan O'Brien has at least one better.

On Sunday, in Ireland it was Leopardstown's Derby Trial and once again Pierre Bonnard was a short priced favourite who was beaten.

Aidan O'Brien has spoken very highly of this horse every time he has mentioned him, even following Sunday's second defeat of the season. I cannot see a single excuse for that defeat and, if anything, I think the Joseph O'Brien horse would beat him by even further over a mile and a half.

In France, the 2000 Guineas saw Puerto Rico, the 9/10 favourite, beaten into fourth. He travelled like the winner but had no answers late on. Hankelow, for the Karl Burke team, ran a blinder in third. He loved the softer ground and looks one to stay over in those shores for the French Derby.

Aidan O'Brien did not have to be disappointed in France for too long as superstar filly Diamond Necklace confirmed just how good she is when taking the 1000 Guineas by three lengths. She looks set for a huge season ahead and the French Oaks looks next, where she will be very tough to beat.