Jockey Graham Lee delivered a winning late run aboard Trip To Paris to win the Betway Chester Cup.
This afternoon's race, the showpiece event on the first day of the Boodles May Festival at the Roodee, was a real thriller.
Bethelezi was the early pacesetter before John Reel went on in the final half-mile. Quick Jack was living up to his name and closing, but Lee brought Trip To Paris, sent off at 10/1, down the centre of the track to grab the race by half a length.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said: “It’s a great day, this horse is improving at a rate of knots. He relaxes and we’re getting into the big boys' league now.”
Jockey Lee added: “He showed a turn of foot at Kempton. That was a good performance.”
LOOK: Famous faces and race action from day one of the May Festival
The traditional start to the Chester Racecourse season, the Stellar Group Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes, had provided jockey Franny Norton with his opportunity record a further success on a course he knows so well.
Once again a tried and tested approach from Norton paid dividends for the the Mark Johnston-trained Rah Rah, sent off the 2/1 favourite.
Norton said: “She’s a nice filly and she stuck to her guns. I let her see the other horse’s eye and we had a little battle, luckily she came off best.”
