The Chester May Festival reaches its climax on Friday with a competitive Chester Cup featuring 17 runners. Galileo Dame heads the Irish challenge for Joseph O'Brien, who saddles three runners including veteran stayer A Piece Of Heaven. The six-strong Irish contingent faces stiff opposition from Sir Mark Prescott's Blindedbythelights, who finished second in all of his last four starts but arrives with a favorable draw in stall 4 after a prep run at Kempton in March.

In the Group Two Huxley Stakes, Derby hero Lambourn returns to the track where he won the Chester Vase last year before his Epsom triumph. The colt faces fellow Group One winner Bay City Roller, who must give 5lb due to his Groster Allianz Preis von Bayern victory. Lambourn's season petered out after his Derby success, but dropping back in trip at a venue where he previously excelled makes him the justified favourite.

O'Brien's strong hand extends to the Chester Plate where Kingstonian makes his debut for the yard following a November switch from Mrs John Harrington. The gelding remains unexposed and could prove well-handicapped for the shrewd operation. Andrew Balding's Berkshire Sundance, recent Easter Plate winner, rounds out an intriguing card if he translates his all-weather form to turf.