{"id":439094,"date":"2026-05-08T18:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/439094\/"},"modified":"2026-05-08T18:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-08T18:21:11","slug":"chester-cup-tips-and-runners-guide-to-friday-3-05-paddy-power-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/439094\/","title":{"rendered":"Chester Cup tips and runners guide to Friday 3.05 \u2013 Paddy Power News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Joseph O\u2019Brien saddles a trio of leading contenders in the Heritage Handicap Chester Cup on Friday. Dylan Browne McMonagle rides A Piece Of Heaven, Ryan Moore\u2019s on Galileo Dame and 2000 Guineas-winning jockey Billy Loughnane partners Cheltenham Festival<\/a> winner Puturhandstogether.<\/p>\n

Berkshire Sundance goes for the 2017-winning combination of Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding. The gelding\u2019s 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\u2019s seventh Spirit Mixer.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Find Chester Cup odds<\/a> on the Paddy Power website and app. Otherwise, Timeform\u2019s guide to the runners and betting tips are below.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Chester Cup 2026 verdict<\/p>\n

Timeform: A strong record fresh swings the vote the way of MAXI KING. His form in top-end handicaps at up to 1\u00bem 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.<\/p>\n

*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<\/p>\n

Chester Cup 2026 runners and riders<\/p>\n

The following horses have been declared for the Chester Cup:<\/p>\n

Aimeric<\/p>\n

Trainer: Jennie Candlish Jockey: Darragh Keenan Age: 7 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 13<\/p>\n

Ran close to his smart best when second in 1\u00bem 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.<\/p>\n

A Piece Of Heaven<\/p>\n

Trainer: Joseph O\u2019Brien Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle Age: 8 Weight: 9st 6lbs Draw: 1<\/p>\n

Lightly raced in recent years but his seconds in conditions races at Dundalk (10.7f) and the Curragh (1\u00bem, heavy) this spring suggest all his ability remains. One of 3 for Joseph O\u2019Brien. Should be able to get a handy position from his inside stall.<\/p>\n

Maxi King<\/p>\n

Trainer: Kevin Philippart De Foy Jockey: Toby Moore Age: 6 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 8<\/p>\n

Lightly raced in recent years but his seconds in conditions races at Dundalk (10.7f) and the Curragh (1\u00bem, heavy) this spring suggest all his ability remains. One of 3 for Joseph O\u2019Brien. Should be able to get a handy position from his inside stall.<\/p>\n

Tashkhan<\/p>\n

Trainer: Brian Ellison Jockey: Ben Robinson Age: 8 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 11<\/p>\n

Lightly raced in recent years but his seconds in conditions races at Dundalk (10.7f) and the Curragh (1\u00bem, heavy) this spring suggest all his ability remains. One of 3 for Joseph O\u2019Brien. Should be able to get a handy position from his inside stall.<\/p>\n

Spirit Mixer<\/p>\n

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 8 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 10<\/p>\n

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\u2019s managed in 2 previous attempts in this race.<\/p>\n

Berkshire Sundance<\/p>\n

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 6 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 15<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Duraji<\/p>\n

Trainer: Richard Hughes Jockey: Finley Marsh Age: 5 Weight: 9st Draw: 16<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Galileo Dame<\/p>\n

Trainer: Joseph O\u2019Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 6<\/p>\n

Won over hurdles in February prior to making a good return to the Flat when second of 11 in handicap at Navan (1\u00bem, heavy) 39 days ago, clear of rest. Her hurdles exploits provide hope that she\u2019ll have the stamina for this longer trip. Shortlisted under Ryan Moore.<\/p>\n

Moon Over Miami<\/p>\n

Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Hector Crouch Age: 5 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 7<\/p>\n

Couldn\u2019t make it 4-4 on turf when fifth of 13 to Team Player in 1\u00bem 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.<\/p>\n

Puturhandstogether<\/p>\n

Trainer: Joseph O\u2019Brien Jockey: Billy Loughnane Age: 5 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 17<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Zanndabad<\/p>\n

Trainer: A.J Martin Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 7 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 9<\/p>\n

Looked unlucky not to go very close when fourth at last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Team Player<\/p>\n

Trainer: Ewan Whillans Jockey: Greg Fairley Age: 4 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 12<\/p>\n

Has won both starts for Ewan Whillans, latterly a well-contested handicap over 1\u00bem 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.<\/p>\n

Chemistry<\/p>\n

Trainer: Jennie Candlish Jockey: David Probert Age: 5 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 3<\/p>\n

Listed winner over 1\u00bem for Aidan O\u2019Brien in 2024. Fourth of 11 in 2m Newcastle handicap in February (final start for Ivan Furtado) shows he\u2019s still useful and he made a successful hurdle debut for Jennie Candlish at Sedgefield last month.<\/p>\n

Lips Freedom<\/p>\n

Trainer: Andrew Kinirons Jockey: Non Runner Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 5<\/p>\n

Non Runner<\/p>\n

Alphonse Le Grande<\/p>\n

Trainer: A.J. Martin Jockey: Jamie Powell Age: 7 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 14<\/p>\n

Won the Plate over C&D in 2024 and landed the Cesarewitch at Newmarket later that year. Failed to win in 2025 but wasn\u2019t seen to best effect on several occasions, including at Royal Ascot. Likely he needed last month\u2019s Cork reappearance over an inadequate trip and this test is much more suitable.<\/p>\n

Blindedbythelights<\/p>\n

Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott Jockey: Luke Morris Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 4<\/p>\n

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\u2019t need to pull out much more for a change of headgear (first-time blinkers for cheekpieces).<\/p>\n

Peaky Blinder<\/p>\n

Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Jason Watson Age: 4 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 2<\/p>\n

Low-mileage son of Soldier Hollow who ended 2025 with a win over 1\u00bem 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.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Read MoreTap here for PP.com racing odds<\/a>The Paddy Power Guide To Safer Gambling \u2013 Everything You Need To Know<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Joseph O\u2019Brien saddles a trio of leading contenders in the Heritage Handicap Chester Cup on Friday. Dylan Browne…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":439095,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[61,60,112],"class_list":["post-439094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/439094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=439094"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/439094\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/439095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=439094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=439094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=439094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}