It was joy for Michael Owen in the 200th running of Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Cup on Friday, May 10.

Hugo Palmer’s Zoffee, ridden by Harry Davies, went one better than last year by crossing the winning post first in Friday's feature race, as the Boodles May Festival came to a thrilling conclusion.

It was a huge result for Palmer who moved from Newmarket to take over at Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire, and the culmination of a "lifelong dream" for Owen.

Drawn in stall one, the 9-1 winner – beaten by a neck 12 months ago – was able to sit on the rail in the perfect position and Davies was able to time his challenge to perfection.

Congratulations and prizes were presented by Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster.

Owen said: "It is pretty much a lifelong dream to win that race and he came second last year.

“I said earlier in the week I think we’d win the big one. He always looks the part and he’s a lovely, lovely horse.

“I’m so pleased for the owners and I said to them before the race, ‘I know he’s your horse, but they are all my horses at Manor House’, that is how it feels. Alan (Peterson) has been a great supporter and this horse has always been a yard favourite – he’s just the nicest person in the world.

“He was second last year and now he’s gone and done it.”

See a gallery above of more photos from Chester Races, taken by Simon Warburton.