Seventeen runners were declared for the 2026 edition of the handicap highlight of the Chester May Meeting. However, the withdrawals of Lips Freedom and Tashkhan brought the final field down to a punter-unfriendly 15 runners.
In a wide-open renewal, the three Joseph O’Brien runners all featured prominently in the market, with the JP McManus-owned Puturhandstogether assuming favouritism following solid support on the day. A dual-purpose son of Caravaggio, he boasted big race wins in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and in the Irish Cesarewitch.
Galileo Dame came next of the O’Brien runners in the market. Three pounds below her career high mark, she had the services of the excellent Ryan Moore in the saddle. Narrowly behind his stablemates in the betting, A Piece Of Heaven had caught the eye when staying on well for second in a 1m6f event at the Curragh in April.
Starting as the second favourite, the well-supported Blindedbythelights was the shortest price British runner. Hailing from the Newmarket yard of Sir Mark Prescott, he had finished second in all five previous outings in staying handicaps. Could this be the day he finally got his nose in front?
The Ewan Whillans-trained Team Player arrived in two starts since joining the Scottish handler in January and was another who attracted solid support. Others to note include the Andrew Balding duo of Northumberland Plate winner Spirit Mixer and the hat-trick seeking Peaky Blinder.
Result
- 1st – A Piece Of Heaven 7/1, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle: Joseph O’Brien
- 2nd – Maxi King 25/1, Jockey: Toby Moore, Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy
- 3rd – Duraji 50/1, Jockey: Finley Marsh, Trainer: Richard Hughes
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £87,618
- 2nd – £41,089
- 3rd – £20,553
- 4th – £10,268
- 5th – £5,134
- 5th – £2,567
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £8
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.50, 2nd – £6.30, 3rd – £17
- Exacta – £206.80
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £186.89
- Trifecta – £11,168.30
- Tricast – £7,992.91
Recap
A Piece Of Heaven broke well from his draw in stall 1 to gain a prominent early position against the inside rail. He was joined by Blindedbythelights, but it was outsider Duraji who swept around the field from stall 16 to grab the early lead. Drawn widest of all in stall 17, Billy Loughnane held Puturhandstogether back in order to drift across to the inside rail.
Little change in the order as the field turned back towards the home straight for the first time. Duraji and Finley Marsh continued to make the running from Blindedbythelights. A Piece Of Heaven continued to race up with the pace and had been joined to his outside by Peaky Blinder and Aimeric. Galileo Dame raced towards the rear, while Puturhandstogether was last but one at this stage.
Into the back straight for the final time and 50/1 chance Duraji had found a lovely rhythm out in front. Blindedbythelights sat on his heels but wasn’t moving quite so well, while Aimeric sat third but was beginning to toil. A Piece Of Heaven remained perfectly poised tight against the rail, with Peaky Blinder just to his outside. Further back Galileo Dame and Maxi King, ridden by the father and son duo of Ryan and Toby Moore, were beginning to make a forward move.
Into the home straight and Duraj kicked off the front to open up a two-length advantage over the field. Blindedbythelights’ challenge faultered at this stage, but A Piece Of Heaven reacted and set off in pursuit. Maxi King moved well into third to sit five lengths off the lead while Puturhandstogether began to pick off runners but had a lot of work to do.
Duraji continued his bid for home but began to wilt just inside the furlong pole. A Piece Of Heaven and Maxi King bore down on his outside. Both went past, but it was the O’Brien runner who crossed the line in front. Maxi King finished half a length back in second, with the gallant Duraj beaten by just a length in total in third.
A first Chester Cup for Joseph O’Brien, who follows in the footsteps of his father, Aidan, who claimed the 2022 edition with Cleveland. This was also a first in the race for one of the finest young riders in the sport, as Dylan Browne McMonagle added another big race success to his CV.
Runners
- 1. Aimeric – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Jennie Candlish, Jockey: Darragh Keenan
- 2. A Piece Of Heaven – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
- 3. Maxi King – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy, Jockey: Toby Moore
- 4. Tashkhan – Non-Runner
- 5. Spirit Mixer – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Rob Hornby
- 6. Berkshire Sundance – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Oisn Murphy
- 7. Duraji – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Richard Hughes, Jockey: Finley Marsh
- 8. Galileo Dame – SP: 6/1, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 9. Moon Over Miami – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Hector Crouch
- 10. Puturhandstogether – SP: 9/2F, Trainer: Joseph O’Brien, Jockey: Billy Loughnane
- 11. Zanndabad – SP: 11/1, Trainer: A J Martin, Jockey: Clifford Lee
- 12. Team Player – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Ewan Whillans, Jockey: Greg Fairley
- 13. Chemistry – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Jennie Candlish, Jockey: David Probert
- 14. Lips Freedom – Non-Runner
- 15. Alphonse Le Grande – SP: 40/1, Trainer: A J Martin, Jockey: Jamie Powell
- 16. Blindedbythelights – SP: 11/2, Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Bt, Jockey: Luke Morris
- 17. Peaky Blinder – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Jason Watson
Non-Runners
Lips Freedom (unsuitable ground), Tashkhan (unsuitable ground).