Blink and you'll miss it: everything you need on a fantastic, frenetic Friday

Chester's May meeting reaches its climax this afternoon with 17 runners bidding to take home the 188Bet Chester Cup.

Friday cards

The Homeserve Huxley Stakes also takes place at Chester on what is sure to be another excellent afternoon on the Roodee, but there is so much more taking place on a fab Friday in Britain and Ireland.

Ascot, the Curragh, Ripon, Lingfield, Nottingham, Kilbeggan and Market Rasen all host cards on Friday meaning racing takes place from 1.20pm through to 8.45pm. Brilliant.

Going report

Chester (first race 1.50)
Good (GoingStick: 6.9 at 10am on Thursday).

Curragh (1.20)
Soft (straight course) and yielding to soft (round).

Market Rasen (1.30)
Good (GoingStick: 7.8 hurdle and 7.4 chase at 8am on Friday). Rail movements; R1, 3 & 8 +144y, R2 & 7 +222y, R4, 5 & 6 +198y.

Lingfield (1.40)
Good, good to firm in places (GoingStick: 8.6 at 5.45am on Friday).

Nottingham (5.10)
Good, good to firm in places (GoingStick: 8.0 at 7am on Thursday).

Ascot (5.25)
Good to firm (GoingStick: 9.3 straight and 8.7 round at 8.45am on Thursday).

Kilbeggan (5.35)
Good to yielding, good in places.

Ripon (5.50)
Good, good to firm in places (GoingStick: 8.3 at 6am on Friday).

What to back

Maddy Playle has unearthed a diamond in the 188Bet Chester Cup and provides the reasoning in just ten seconds.

And with so much racing taking place on Friday the best place to head is to Tips Box, to get all the top tips from our regional experts.

What to read

On Chester Cup day the first place you need to head is to our previews. You can get all the thoughts from connections on the big races here.

The fallout continues after the shocking scenes at Goodwood on Saturday. The Duke of Richmond has apologised for what happened and promised action will be taken.

And Clive Cox is preparing for a big weekend with the talented Louie De Palma, who returns to the course for the first time in nearly four years in Saturday's Victoria Cup at Ascot.

What to watch

The Dee Stakes was the big Classic trial at Chester on Thursday. Nick Watts offers his thoughts on Rostropovich's victory.

Trainer Ed de Giles has big hopes for his team this season. Get the latest on his string with our RPTV stable tour.

The best of Racing Post Sport

We are reaching the crunch in the Sky Bet Championship with the playoffs taking place on Friday. Our experts preview all the action.

Final thought

The first three races at the Curragh on Friday are going to be hugely informative contests. Aidan O'Brien has a number of fascinating runners and has been successful with the likes of Air Force Blue in recent years. Jim Bolger, Jessica Harrington and Johnny Murtagh have some noteworthy contenders as well.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app