Watergate Cup Handicap 2026 Result
There are fifteen runners set to go to post in the Watergate Cup at Chester Racecourse, with this being the second encounter at the Roodee on Saturday. Cranachan catches the eye and we might see the three-year-old continue to progress on an upward curve. The Ralph Beckett-trained charge certainly looks like an each-way bet to nothing.
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Spirit Mixer has struggled to make an impact in the previous two races although they were both in esteemed company. Holy See has fared a little better although the five-year-old is carrying more weight than any other horse in the field. Valedictory has strong claims and the four-year-old should perform well over this distance.
2026 Watergate Cup Handicap Result
10 finishers- 1 Pole Star Sean D Bowen +1100
- 2 Granite Bay Nathan Crosse +550
- 3 Shipshape Isobelle Chalmers +1800
- 4 Tribal Star Jamie Powell +900
- 5 Stressfree Mark Winn +350F
- 6 Spirit Mixer Alfie Redman +1100
- 7 Dunkeld Dreamer Finlay Bassett +3300
- 8 Gentle Warrior Cam Hardie +3300
- 9 Tashkhan Hector Crouch +1800
- 10 Holy See Oisin Orr +450
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Cranachan has already ran well at Chester recently. The previous encounter was over two miles where the runner obliged with a six-length margin of victory. The 9/2 shot was able to perform well on good to soft ground, with that coming after a smart performance at Newmarket. The horse was second on that occasion and could have benefitted from a longer trip.
Spirit Mixer is an older adversary who struggled at Ascot in August, with Andrew Balding’s charge failing to make an impression at a big price. This came after finishing down the pecking order at Newcastle, with the horse turning out at Chester back in May. In the Ladbrokes Chester Cup, the runner failed to make much of an impact and we’re happy to avoid here.
Holy See carries more weight than the rest of the field, with the William Durkan-trained runner having finished second in a field of twenty at Galway Racecourse. The 40/1 shot had no right to land such a lofty position and it should also be noted that the horse was bumped at the start of the race. We might expect another strong showing on this occasion.
Valedictory was a May winner at Goodwood and then returned to the track in July to oblige in the Betway Trophy at Newmarket. Over one mile and six furlongs, the runner performed well and has since enjoyed outings at Goodwood and York. The latest display at the Knavesmire saw the horse finish seventh in a field of sixteen runners.
Past Winners
2025 — Watergate Cup Handicap
- 1 Spirit Mixer Rob Hornby +500
- 2 Prydwen Darragh Keenan +1600
- 3 Tribal Star S De Sousa +900
2024 — Watergate Cup Handicap
- 1 Spirit Mixer Rob Hornby +550
- 2 Mr Escobar S D Bowen +500
- 3 Tashkhan Ben Robinson +450