Joseph O’Brien saddles a trio of leading contenders in the Heritage Handicap Chester Cup on Friday. Dylan Browne McMonagle rides A Piece Of Heaven, Ryan Moore’s on Galileo Dame and 2000 Guineas-winning jockey Billy Loughnane partners Cheltenham Festival winner Puturhandstogether.

Berkshire Sundance goes for the 2017-winning combination of Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding. The gelding’s attempting to complete a three-timer after a couple of successes on the all-weather. The yard saddle a second hat-trick seeker in the form of Peaky Blinder and last year’s seventh Spirit Mixer.

Sir Mark Prescott slaps a pair of blinkers on Blindedbythelights, who has hit the post in each of his last four outings. The six-year-old races off a career-high mark of 90.

Alphonse Le Grande, the 2024 Cesarewitch winner, boasts C&D form following victory in the Chester Plate a couple of years ago. Tashkhan has also won over C&D courtesy of his 2023 Watergate Cup success.

Find Chester Cup odds on the Paddy Power website and app. Otherwise, Timeform’s guide to the runners and betting tips are below.

Chester Cup 2026 verdict

Timeform: A strong record fresh swings the vote the way of MAXI KING. His form in top-end handicaps at up to 1¾m last season is solid and a bold bid is likely under Toby Moore if his stamina holds. Blindedbythelights, Galileo Dame, Moon Over Miami, 2024 Chester Plate winner Alphonse Le Grande and the unexposed Peaky Blinder head the many dangers.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

Chester Cup 2026 runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Chester Cup:

Aimeric

Trainer: Jennie Candlish Jockey: Darragh Keenan Age: 7 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 13

Ran close to his smart best when second in 1¾m Musselburgh handicap last spring but followed that with 2 poor runs in the autumn and, having left Karl Burke, could only manage a remote fourth on his recent hurdle debut for new connections. Plenty to prove.

A Piece Of Heaven

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle Age: 8 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 1

Lightly raced in recent years but his seconds in conditions races at Dundalk (10.7f) and the Curragh (1¾m, heavy) this spring suggest all his ability remains. One of 3 for Joseph O’Brien. Should be able to get a handy position from his inside stall.

Maxi King

Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy Jockey: Toby Moore Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 8

Lightly raced in recent years but his seconds in conditions races at Dundalk (10.7f) and the Curragh (1¾m, heavy) this spring suggest all his ability remains. One of 3 for Joseph O’Brien. Should be able to get a handy position from his inside stall.

Tashkhan

Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Ben Robinson Age: 8 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 11

Lightly raced in recent years but his seconds in conditions races at Dundalk (10.7f) and the Curragh (1¾m, heavy) this spring suggest all his ability remains. One of 3 for Joseph O’Brien. Should be able to get a handy position from his inside stall.

Spirit Mixer

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 8 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 10

Four-time course winner at up to 2m. Arrives on the back of a creditable reappearance third over 2m at Kempton but seventh is the best he’s managed in 2 previous attempts in this race.

Berkshire Sundance

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 15

Enhanced his very good strike-rate in handicaps when winning a competitive 2m race at Newcastle on Good Friday in first-time cheekpieces (retained). A further 7 lb rise demands more but no surprise were he to find it.

Duraji

Trainer: Richard Hughes Jockey: Finley Marsh Age: 5 Weight: 9st Draw: 16

Useful performer. Hooded first time, respectable sixth of 8 in 2m handicap at Lingfield on reappearance in February (final start for Dermot Weld). The hood is discarded on first start for new yard. Well treated on peak form but stall 16 could be awkward.

Galileo Dame

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 6

Won over hurdles in February prior to making a good return to the Flat when second of 11 in handicap at Navan (1¾m, heavy) 39 days ago, clear of rest. Her hurdles exploits provide hope that she’ll have the stamina for this longer trip. Shortlisted under Ryan Moore.

Moon Over Miami

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Hector Crouch Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 7

Couldn’t make it 4-4 on turf when fifth of 13 to Team Player in 1¾m Musselburgh handicap over Easter but it still rates a respectable return from 12 months off and he should be all the sharper now. Remains unexposed as a stayer and one of the more likely types.

Puturhandstogether

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien Jockey: Billy Loughnane Age: 5 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 17

In good form last autumn, including a Flat win in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh (2m, soft). Failed to get involved in good handicap hurdles at Cheltenham and Fairyhouse this spring but could fare better back on the Flat. The outside stall is far from ideal, though.

Zanndabad

Trainer: A.J Martin Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 7 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 9

Looked unlucky not to go very close when fourth at last year’s York Ebor meeting and scored twice over hurdles in the autumn. Never involved in a Grade 1 novice hurdle back from a break at Aintree last month but should strip fitter with that behind him. Third in this off 1 lb higher in 2024.

Team Player

Trainer: Ewan Whillans Jockey: Greg Fairley Age: 4 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 12

Has won both starts for Ewan Whillans, latterly a well-contested handicap over 1¾m at Musselburgh (soft) over Easter, with reopposing Moon Over Miami fifth. Hit with a 9 lb rise but he did it readily and may have even more to come for his new stable.

Chemistry

Trainer: Jennie Candlish Jockey: David Probert Age: 5 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 3

Listed winner over 1¾m for Aidan O’Brien in 2024. Fourth of 11 in 2m Newcastle handicap in February (final start for Ivan Furtado) shows he’s still useful and he made a successful hurdle debut for Jennie Candlish at Sedgefield last month.

Lips Freedom

Trainer: Andrew Kinirons Jockey: Non Runner Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 5

Non Runner

Alphonse Le Grande

Trainer: A.J. Martin Jockey: Jamie Powell Age: 7 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 14

Won the Plate over C&D in 2024 and landed the Cesarewitch at Newmarket later that year. Failed to win in 2025 but wasn’t seen to best effect on several occasions, including at Royal Ascot. Likely he needed last month’s Cork reappearance over an inadequate trip and this test is much more suitable.

Blindedbythelights

Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Jockey: Luke Morris Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 4

Has hung under pressure but his form is largely progressive, returning from 8 months off to finish second again at Kempton (2m) 6 weeks ago. Well drawn for one who is usually ridden prominently and won’t need to pull out much more for a change of headgear (first-time blinkers for cheekpieces).

Peaky Blinder

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Jason Watson Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 2

Low-mileage son of Soldier Hollow who ended 2025 with a win over 1¾m at Redcar (good to soft) and improved again to readily see off 4 rivals on 2m Southwell reappearance 4 weeks ago. Has a good draw and interesting having snuck in at the foot of the weights.

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