Matthew Clark Summer Festival Rounds off Back-to-Back Race Meetings

A sensational Matthew Clark Summer Festival rounded off an action-packed weekend of back-to-back race meetings at Chester Racecourse.

On an afternoon where many races were sponsored by drinks brands, Hayley Turner made it a double with great rides on Scintillante and Roman Dragon – the latter winning at Chester for the fourth time – in The Ultimate Provence Handicap Stakes and The Grey Goose Essences Handicap Stakes.

The King of Chester, Franny Norton, also doubled up and picked up his customary winners on the card, taking the Chandon Garden Spritz Handicap Stakes aboard Equatorial and The Jam Shed Handicap Stakes on Military Two Step.

The return of Arabian Racing to Chester Racecourse for the first time in 19 years also allowed Sam Hitchcott to ride a two-timer, with Ekleel Athbah winning the IFAHR Trophy for the second year running. That followed an earlier success aboard Liv My Life in The Champagne Laurent-Perrier EBF Maiden Stakes.

Meanwhile, Paul Hanagan scored with a surge down the outside on Princess Niyla to claim the Born To Mix Absolut Vodka Novice Stakes.

Across both days of racing, Beaverbrooks, title sponsors of the Friday Night Social, welcomed guests to the Roodee by offering a free diamond and jewellery cleaning service and running competitions to win more than £300 worth of prizes.

Race highlights at the Beaverbrooks Friday Night Social included the Halliwell Jones Selling Stakes, where winner Pretence was auctioned in the Parade Ring following victory. Pearly Star and Sparks Fly were amongst the other big winners on the card.

Thank-you to everybody in attendance over the past 24 hours for the Beaverbrooks Friday Night Social and Matthew Clark Summer Festival. We would also like to thank all of our partners and sponsors for their continued support.

To plan your next visit to Chester Racecourse, check our remaining 2023 fixtures here.