Aidan O’Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini strengthened his Derby credentials with an authoritative win in the Boodles Chester Vase at Chester on Wednesday, giving O’Brien and Ryan Moore a notable Cheshire Oaks-Chester Vase double on the opening day of the May meeting.
The 2-9 favourite returned in the Group 3 trial over 1m 4f on good ground and justified his position in the market with a clear-cut performance. He initially raced comfortably in third before moving into second over a furlong from home and was pushed along to lead. He drifted left when clear inside the final furlong before going on to win impressively.
It was his stablemate Proposition who helped force that early pace, but, as described above, Benvenuto Cellini moved through before the home turn and then pulled clear a furlong out.
Proposition stayed on for second under Wayne Lordan, while Mr Colonel took third. Del Maro, the Godolphin-trained second favourite, missed the break and was never able to comfortably handle the track under William Buick.
Comfortable Win in a Field of Just Five
The official result showed Benvenuto Cellini winning by a comfortable four-and-a-quarter lengths from Proposition, with Mr Colonel a further one and three-quarter lengths back in third. The field was reduced to just five runners after Water To Wine and Royal Standard were declared non-runners.
The Chester Vase is one of the established British Derby trials, and Benvenuto Cellini’s margin of victory, combined with the way he travelled and also quickened, gives added weight to his place in the Epsom picture. It undoubtedly strengthened his position as Derby favourite, while also underlining the significance of the performance beyond just a routine trial success.
The win also continued Aidan O’Brien’s strong recent record in the race. Racing TV noted that O’Brien had won the contest 12 months earlier with subsequent Derby winner Lambourn, adding extra relevance to Wednesday’s result for the Classic narrative.
Chester Vase: Full Result 2026
| Position | Horse | Odds |
| 1st | Benvenuto Cellini | 2/9 fav |
| 2nd | Proposition | 14/1 |
| 3rd | Mr Colonel | 40/1 |
Winning Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Winning Jockey: Ryan Moore
When Is The 2026 Epsom Derby?
The 2026 Derby is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Epsom Downs Racecourse. As the highlight of the two-day Derby Festival, the race is traditionally held at 3:30 PM BST. This Group 1 Classic is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, contested over a distance of approximately one mile and four furlongs.
