15:05 Chester

Friday 8 May 2026

All13:3014:0514:3515:0515:4016:1016:4517:20

Ladbrokes Chester Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 4m 1.19s

(13)

Aimeric¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Candlish| OR: 107| C

125/1

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.

Form: 332-275

(1)

A Piece Of Heaven^t³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 101

7/1

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.

Form: 732/3-22

(8)

Maxi King¹⁸¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Toby Moore⁽⁷⁾| T: K P De Foy| OR: 100

25/1

Won first time out in 2023 and 2024. Creditable efforts in defeat in good races last season, ending his campaign with fourth of 22 in November Handicap at Doncaster (1½m, heavy). Good record fresh and capable of having a big say if his stamina holds up in trip (unproven beyond 1¾m).

Form: 68/3434-

(10)

Spirit Mixer⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 96| C

22/1

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.

Form: 15714-3

(15)

Berkshire Sundance^p³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 96

18/1

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.

Form: 181-011

(16)

Duraji⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 95

50/1

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.

Form: 84940-6

(6)

Galileo Dame³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: R L Moore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 93

6/1

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.

Form: 22/000-2

(7)

Moon Over Miami³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 93

17/2

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.

Form: 1/5461-5

(17)

Puturhandstogether³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Billy Loughnane| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 92

9/2

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.

Form: 3217/31-

(9)

Zanndabad^t²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-10| J: C Lee| T: A J Martin| OR: 91

11/1

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.

Form: 66-7049

(12)

Team Player^t³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Greg Fairley| T: Ewan Whillans| OR: 92| C

7/1

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.

Form: 2313-11

(3)

Chemistry²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: David Probert| T: J Candlish| OR: 90

16/1

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.

Form: 0/304-84

(14)

Alphonse Le Grande^t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Jamie Powell| T: A J Martin| OR: 90| CD

40/1

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.

Form: 08587-0

(4)

Blindedbythelights^b1⁴¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 90| BF

11/2

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).

Form: 24/222-2

(2)

Peaky Blinder^p²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

7/1

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.

Form: 63391-1

Non-Runners

(11)

Tashkhan⁶²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 8

T: B Ellison J: Ben Robinson

(5)

Lips Freedom⁴⁰

Weight: 8-9| Age: 6

T: A Kinirons J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Puturhandstogether (9/2), Blindedbythelights (11/2), Galileo Dame (6/1), A Piece Of Heaven (7/1), Team Player (7/1), Peaky Blinder (7/1), Moon Over Miami (17/2), Zanndabad (11/1), Chemistry (16/1), Berkshire Sundance (18/1), Spirit Mixer (22/1), Maxi King (25/1), Lips Freedom (25/1), Tashkhan (33/1), Alphonse Le Grande (40/1), Duraji (50/1), Aimeric (125/1)

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.