A Piece Of Heaven shines to land Chester Cup
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 8 May 2026
Joseph O’Brien’s ever-growing CV now includes a Ladbrokes Chester Cup after A Piece Of Heaven made stall one count on the Roodee.
A Classic winner as both a jockey and trainer, as well as also notching significant victories over obstacles, the Owning Hill handler sent three to Chester for their feature handicap of the week.
His stablemate Galileo Dame would finish well for fourth but the 7-1 chance A Piece Of Heaven was always in the box seat in the hands of Irish champion jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, who simply had to wait for the petrol of the front-running eventual third Duraji to run out before making his mark.
Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Maxi King also finished strongly under Toby Moore for second, but could not bridge the half-length advantage A Piece Of Heaven took with him to the winning post.
A Peace Of Heaven (white with black cap) landed the Chester Cup under the Irish Champion Jockey.(Photo: Dan Abraham - focusonracing.com)
McMonagle said: “I’m very happy, it was a good run around and I was always in control of the race it was just a matter of gathering him up and getting the leader.
“He’s a tough horse and he was trained for today so we’re delighted.
“He’s got a big stride and they went a good gallop which was always going to suit and would bring out his stamina. Big thanks to Joseph and the team at home, it’s a great result.
“I was always leaning towards riding this fella as he’s been improving and the step up in trip was always going to bring out more improvement, it was good to see him back to his best.
“He had a few little mishaps after Ascot which meant we didn’t see the best of him last year but Joseph has done an unbelievable job to get him back to this. Hopefully he can have a nice campaign now.”
Speaking away from the track, Joseph O’Brien told the Press Association: “I’m delighted for Dylan and the horse and in particular the ownership group as they have been very patient with the horse over the last few seasons.
“He has been threatening to win a big race but hasn’t been the most straightforward to train and their patience with both me and the horse has been rewarded.
“That big race has looked to be coming and Dylan has given him a great ride. It was his first winner at Chester as well, he gave him a great spin.”
He went on: “We’ll see what’s there for him at Royal Ascot and there might be a race there to suit him. He’s a horse who could end up in a race like the Cesarewitch later in the season, or end up on the road depending on how he was to progress.”
Assistant trainer Mick Halford said: “Once I saw how the race was panning out I was confident he was our best chance because he had the best position.
“Ryan (Moore on Galileo Dame) got shuffled back a bit further than ideal and poor Billy (Loughnane on Puturhandstogether) got stuck out widest of all and had to take his medicine.
“They’ve all run well and the draw is so important round here. He was in the box seat and with the cutaway in the straight he was always going to get through.
“He’s a class horse, they were all there and all ran their races.
“Ascot will be high up on the agenda now but he’ll have lots of options.”
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