Joseph O’Brien’s bid for the Ladbrokes Chester Cup is taking shape as he has declared three of the top contenders in the market among a field of 17.

Leinster may be a notable absentee, but Galileo Dame is near the head of the list and Puturhandstogether is equally popular for the £170,000 prize, with A Piece Of Heaven also in the mix.

Sir Mark Prescott’s Blindedbythelights has made the cut off a low weight, and Andrew Balding is due to be represented by three runners with Berkshire Sundance, Peaky Blinder and Spirit Mixer all slated to run.

Moon Over Miami will be Ralph Beckett’s sole runner, with Jennie Candlish sending out two in Aimeric and Chemistry.

Brian Ellison has Tashkhan on the list, while Toby Moore is due to ride against his father Ryan as the former is booked to partner Kevin Philippart de Foy’s Maxi King and the latter will be legged up aboard Galileo Dame.

Richard Hughes’ Duraji, Andrew Kinirons’ Lips Freedom, Ewan Whillans’ Team Player and the Anthony Martin pair of Alphonse Le Grande and Zanndabad complete the field.

A field of nine have stood their ground for the Deepbridge Huxley Stakes, with Derby winner Lambourn the headline act as he gets his season under way for Aidan O’Brien.

George Scott’s Bay City Roller bypassed the Jockey Club Stakes and is headed to Chester instead, with Karl Burke due to saddle both Royal Rhyme and Ice Max.

Harry Charlton will be represented by King’s Gambit and there is an Irish challenger in Joseph O’Brien’s Starford.

James Fanshawe’s Sky Safari, the Balding-trained High Stock and David Loughnane’s Sparks Fly complete the field for the Group Three.