The Chester Cup is the jewel in the crown of the Boodles May Festival, a race with a rich history and also dash of glamour.

The famous old trophy has been contested for more than 150 years on the Roodee, and in recent years the race has become synonymous with the opening day of the season at Chester Racecourse and all the excitement that comes with it.

Here's everything you need to know about the Chester Cup.

When is this year's Chester Cup?

The 2016 Chester Cup will be contested on Wednesday, May 4, the first day of the three-day Boodles May Festival. The big race, sponsored by Betway, is at 3.10pm. We won't know all the runners and riders until much closer to May 4.

Why is it such a big deal?

It's been a staple of Chester's sporting calendar since 1824, making it one of the most historic horse races in the UK.

It was originally called the Tradesmen's Cup and for a period was known as the Tradesman's Plate before being renamed the Chester Trades' Cup in 1884. Since then, it has more commonly been called the Chester Cup.

Any famous winners?

Jockeys don't come more famous than the legendary Lester Piggott, a four-time Chester Cup winner. He won on board Sandiacre in 1958, Aegean Blue in 1966, Major Rose in 1968 and John Cherry in 1976. It makes him the joint most successful Chester Cup jockey, along with Sam Darling, whose four wins came in the 1830s. Other jockeys to have celebrated Chester Cup victories include Willie Carson, Frankie Dettori, Kieren Fallon and Graham Lee, who triumphed last year with Trip to Paris.

And what about the trainers?

Chester specialist Barry Hills is the most successful Chester Cup trainer, with four wins to his name. They came with Arapahos (1980), Rainbow High (1999, 2001) and Daraahem (2009). Donald McCain, son of Ginger, trained back-to-back winners in 2011 and 2012.

What does it look like?

Here's what they'll all be trying to win on May 4...

The Chester Cup trophy