The 2016 racing season is under way! The May Festival is always one of the most popular events in the Chester events calendar and this year looks set to be even bigger than ever with a great weather forecast for the three day extravaganza.

The Chronicle will be bringing you live coverage of Chester Cup Day throughout the afternoon to help you soak up the atmosphere, try to spot any famous faces , describe some of the outfits - both glamorous and outrageous - and capture the excitement of the races themselves.

You can join in our live coverage by tweeting comments and pictures @ChesterChron or sending emails to cheshire.news@trinitymirror.com.

That's all, folks!

So it’s time to sign off. Thanks for following our live blog today. We’ll be back tomorrow to bring you all the best build-up, pictures and action from day two of the Boodles May Festival, which just so happens to be Boodles Ladies Day. We hope you had a few winners today. If not, there’s always tomorrow...

Sir Maximillian ridden by Kieren Fallon wins The Homeserve Conditions Stakes, during Betway Chester Cup Day of the Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse
Sir Maximillian ridden by Kieren Fallon wins The Homeserve Conditions Stakes, during Betway Chester Cup Day of the Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
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Red marauder

And that’s it. The seventh and final race of the day is over and thousands of race-goers are spilling off into the city centre sun.

The 5.25pm was won by Red Verdon, from Soldier in Action (another second for our tipster Beverley Dee!) and Zzoro third.

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Into the final straight

Six down, one to go. The last race is the 5.25pm Deepbridge Capital Handicap Stakes. Chester specialist Franny Norton is on board Soldier in Action and is the Chron’s top tip!

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Incredible Mulk

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mulk won the 4.55pm, the penultimate race at Chester. Exoteric was second, with Monaco Rose third.

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Up next

We’re now ready for the 4.55pm Stellar Group Maiden Stakes. Beverley Dee’s tip (I’m still following them!) is Exoteric.

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Famous faces

You can take a look through some of the famous faces who showed up for the first day of the races in our picture gallery HERE.

These Baggies boys have been coming to Chester since their Man Utd heyday.

West Brom FC captain Darren Fletcher (far right), with fellow footballer Wes Brown (2nd from right)
West Brom FC captain Darren Fletcher (far right), with fellow footballer Wes Brown (2nd from right) (Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
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Food for our Fran

There are *some* perks to this job...

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Arise, Sir Max

First past the post in the 4.20pm race was Sir Maximilian (5-2), with Maljaa (5-2) second and Canny Kool (6-1) third.

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Last-minute bets

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Back to the racing...

The next race is at 4.20pm, the Homeserve Conditions Stakes. Chron tipster Beverley Dee has picked out Dutch Masterpiece here. The top weight is ridden by arguably the best flat jockey in the world, Ryan Moore.

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Cool corner?

There are all kinds of different musical offerings today.

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Contrasting fortunes

So it looks like former snooker world champ John Parrott got the winner in that last race... but poor Jezza missed out.

Talk Show host Jeremy Kyle, with snooker legend John Parrott
Talk Show host Jeremy Kyle, with snooker legend John Parrott
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Time for some tunes

Keeping the punters entertained between races...

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Roudee forced to settle for second

Joyous scenes in the winner’s enclosure as KIMBERALLA (5-1) wins the 3.45pm, with Roudee second.

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View from the finish

Our reporter Fran Barrett couldn’t have got much closer to witness that thrilling Chester Cup finish.

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Time for a (local) hero?

The next race is the 3.45pm Boodles Diamond Handicap Stakes. The Chronicle’s expert tipster Beverley Dee has gone for Roudee, who belongs to local owner Nick Hughes.

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What a finish

How’s this for a race to the line?

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Chester Cup: No Heretic wins

No Heretic has been declared the winner of the 2016 Betway Chester Cup.

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Tense wait

If you have backed either Naketa or No Heretic, this is going to be an anxious few minutes.

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Cup triumph?

The winner of the 2016 Betway Chester Cup is...a photo finish!

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Big race starts

The 2016 Betway Chester Cup race is under way

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Safe pair of hands

Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard at the races

Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard, arriving for the opening day of Chester Races, known as the Betway Chester Cup Day, at the Chester racecourse.
Everton FC goalkeeper Tim Howard, arriving for the opening day of Chester Races, known as the Betway Chester Cup Day, at the Chester racecourse.
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Confident tip

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Eyes on the prize

The Chester Cup is being brought out to go on display ahead of the big race.

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Hoping for a winner later

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The big race

Next up is the big race of the day: 3.10pm The Betway Chester Cup. Beverley’s tip for success in this race is Quick Jack who was second in the race last year. However, she also points out stable-mate Heartbreak City could spring a surprise.

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Well done Beverley!

Chronicle tipster Beverly Dee is in the money after correctly predicting Somehow would win the second race of the day.

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Winning jockey

Winning horse Somehow was ridden by three time champion jockey Ryan Moore from Brighton.

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Congratulations Claire

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Second race: Somehow wins

Bookies’ hot favourite Somehow wins the second race at Chester in a thrilling finish.

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