There is no race quite like it - absolutely right to roll out the red carpet for the one and only Chester Cup
Britain's oldest racecourse celebrates a significant anniversary of its oldest race this week when Chester marks 200 years of the Chester Cup.
There isn't much in this sport that can match Chester's history, with racing on the Roodee dating back to 1539 and the Chester Cup established in 1824 under the guise of the Trademen's Cup.
Following brief spells as the Trademen's Plate and Chester Trades' Cup, the race was named the Chester Cup in 1884 and has remained that way ever since. Even in the early days it had plenty of novelty value. From its origins, it was a handicap with the weights framed by clerk of the course EW Topham for many years.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- Never mind the price of the beer - kids go racing for nothing and that's worth a lot
- Bank holidays are in sad decline - why not let unloved Brigadier Gerard march to the rescue
- Is there a cure for the Derby? A dose of Epsom salts might get it moving again
- British Flat raiders restore a little sporting pride. It may be far-fetched, but can our jumpers do the same?
- 40 years on: memories of an era when winning at Epsom made a horse too valuable to race on
- Never mind the price of the beer - kids go racing for nothing and that's worth a lot
- Bank holidays are in sad decline - why not let unloved Brigadier Gerard march to the rescue
- Is there a cure for the Derby? A dose of Epsom salts might get it moving again
- British Flat raiders restore a little sporting pride. It may be far-fetched, but can our jumpers do the same?
- 40 years on: memories of an era when winning at Epsom made a horse too valuable to race on