A Piece Of Heaven delivered a commanding performance to claim the prestigious Ladbrokes Chester Cup at the Chester May Festival on Friday, providing trainer Joseph O'Brien with a notable addition to his already impressive CV. The 7-1 shot, expertly piloted by Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, made the most of a favorable draw in stall one to secure victory on the Roodee.
The race unfolded with Duraji setting a strong early pace at the front, but McMonagle displayed patience and tactical awareness aboard A Piece Of Heaven. The jockey bided his time, knowing the front-runner's energy would eventually wane, before making his decisive move. The strategy paid dividends as A Piece Of Heaven surged forward to take the lead in the closing stages.
Kevin Philippart De Foy's Maxi King, ridden by Toby Moore, produced a strong late challenge but could not bridge the gap, finishing half a length behind the winner. Duraji, who had led for much of the contest, held on for third place. O'Brien's other runner, Galileo Dame, also ran respectably to finish fourth.
McMonagle expressed his delight after the victory, praising the horse's toughness and stamina. "He's a tough horse and he was trained for today so we're delighted," the jockey said. "He's got a big stride and they went a good gallop which was always going to suit and would bring out his stamina." He also credited O'Brien for the horse's rehabilitation after setbacks following Ascot last season.
The Chester Cup victory was part of a stellar day for the O'Brien family, as Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore earlier combined to win the Deepbridge Huxley Stakes with dual Derby hero Lambourn. The four-year-old, who won the Chester Vase at the same meeting last year before his Classic triumphs, showed great determination to hold off the challenge of Bay City Roller by a neck.
Lambourn's victory marked a record-extending ninth Huxley Stakes win for Ryan Moore, and the horse was subsequently shortened to 10-1 for the Coronation Cup at Epsom. Moore noted the horse was a bit rusty but praised his fighting spirit, suggesting Epsom as the logical next target.
Earlier in the card, trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Oisín Murphy enjoyed a double. Respond ran out an impressive winner of the CAA Stellar Great Cheshire Handicap, scoring by almost five lengths as the 10-11 favourite. Murphy then guided Balding's Galiyan to victory in the Boodles Darley EBF Maiden, overcoming greenness to win comfortably.
Based on reporting from SkySports | News.