Chesham Stakes 2026
The Chesham Stakes opens Thursday’s Royal Ascot card and is always one of the most fascinating juvenile races of the meeting. Run over 7f on good to firm ground, this race often rewards stamina, professionalism and the ability to cope with the straight Ascot track.
This year’s renewal has a familiar look, with Aix La Chapelle representing Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore at the head of the market, but the Turf Talk model also gives strong consideration to Aperoll, Time For The Moon, Sea Venture, Celtic Charioteer, Nola Soul and Revels.
Key Chesham Stakes Trends
- Market: 20/20 winners were no bigger than 40/1 and within the first 12 in the market.
- Experience: 20/20 winners had fewer than 3 career starts.
- Last-Time Form: 19/20 winners were beaten no more than 2¾ lengths last time out.
- Career Price: 19/20 winners had never started bigger than 77/5.
- Ground: 19/20 winners did not run on heavy, good to soft, firm, standard-slow, standard or fibresand last time out.
- Debut Form: 19/20 winners were beaten no more than 5¾ lengths on debut.
- Weight: 19/20 winners carried 125-133lbs both last time out and on debut.
- Draw: 17/20 winners were drawn in stalls 1 to 8.
- Break: 17/20 winners came here off a break of 15-49 days.
The pure trends shortlist is headed by Aix La Chapelle and Aperoll, who both achieved a perfect 15/15 trends match. Celtic Charioteer, Nola Soul, Revels and Sword Salute also score strongly on 14/15.
Turf Talk Eliminator + Ratings
| Horse | Trends % | Rating | RPR/TS | Class | Speed | Recent | Trainer | Going/Profile | Key Positives | Negatives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aix La Chapelle | 100% | 252 | 95 / 75 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore combination, strong race record and the right profile for this 7f test. | Short enough in the market and not the top raw RPR horse. | Main selection |
| Time For The Moon | 87% | 249 | 101 / 75 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓ | Highest RPR in the field, solid Topspeed figure and arrives off a win. | Only 13/15 on trends. | Main danger |
| Aperoll | 100% | 247 | 98 / 89 | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓✓ | Perfect 15/15 trends match, best Topspeed figure in the field and already a winner on good to firm. | Richard Hannon yard form is not as strong as some rivals. | Shortlist / value |
| Sea Venture | 87% | 241 | 94 / 60 | ✓✓ | △ | ✓✓✓ | △ | ? | Unbeaten profile, prominent in the betting and Daniel Tudhope is riding well. | Topspeed figure is below the main shortlist. | Place chance |
| Celtic Charioteer | 93% | 238 | 93 / 72 | ✓✓ | ✓✓ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ? | Strong 14/15 trends match, recent win and James Ferguson yard is in good form. | Needs to improve again on RPR. | Each-way possible |
| Nola Soul | 93% | 236 | 95 / 59 | ✓✓ | △ | ✓✓✓ | △ | ? | 14/15 trends match and a respectable RPR figure after one run. | Topspeed is lower than ideal and jockey form is quiet. | Possible improver |
| Revels | 93% | 234 | 94 / 51 | ✓✓ | △ | ✓✓✓ | ✓✓ | ? | 14/15 trends match and represents a K R Burke yard in decent form. | Needs a sizeable step forward on the clock. | Needs more speed |
| Pikachu | 87% | 232 | 87 / 78 | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ? | Useful Topspeed figure and 13/15 trends score. | RPR is below the stronger candidates and still a maiden. | Needs improvement |
| Sword Salute | 93% | 231 | 89 / 60 | ✓ | △ | ✓✓✓ | ✓ | ✓✓✓ | 14/15 trends match and 100% good-to-firm record. | Needs to find more on ratings. | Outside chance |
Key: ✓✓✓ strong positive, ✓✓ positive, ✓ acceptable, △ slight concern, ✗ negative, ? unknown or limited data.
Final Turf Talk Filter
The final filter brings this down to Aix La Chapelle, Time For The Moon, Aperoll, Sea Venture, Celtic Charioteer and Nola Soul.
Aix La Chapelle comes out on top because he matches the race trends perfectly and represents the dominant Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore combination in this race. Aidan O’Brien has a remarkable recent record in the Chesham and this horse has the right profile to continue that pattern.
Time For The Moon is the main danger on ratings. She has the highest RPR in the field, arrives off a win and already looks professional enough for this test.
Aperoll is arguably the best value alternative. She is a perfect 15/15 trends match, has the best Topspeed figure in the race and has already won on good to firm.
Chesham Stakes 2026 Tips
1. Aix La Chapelle 2/1
Aix La Chapelle is the Turf Talk selection after achieving a perfect 15/15 trends match.
The Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore combination has been incredibly strong in this race, and the profile suggests this colt should be ideally suited by the 7f Chesham test.
2. Time For The Moon 10/1
Time For The Moon is the main danger on the numbers.
She has the highest RPR in the field, arrives off a win and has already shown enough professionalism to suggest she can run a big race here.
3. Aperoll 10/1
Aperoll completes the top three and looks the best value alternative.
She is a perfect 15/15 trends match, has the best Topspeed figure in the race and has already won on good to firm.
Turf Talk Verdict
Aix La Chapelle is the selection, with Time For The Moon the strongest ratings danger and Aperoll the value alternative. Sea Venture is respected, but needs to improve on the clock.
Final Selection
Aix La Chapelle
The trends, ratings and final filter point towards Aix La Chapelle as the strongest Turf Talk play in the 2026 Chesham Stakes.
1st: Aix La Chapelle 2/1
2nd: Time For The Moon 10/1
3rd: Aperoll 10/1
Final note: in the Chesham Stakes, juvenile improvement, stamina for 7f and the ability to handle the straight Ascot track can be more important than bare debut speed alone.
