May 08 / 15.05 Chester

15.05

Good

Ladbrokes Big-Value You Can Bet On Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £79394
  • 1m 5f 84y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV4
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Ladbrokes Big-Value You Can Bet On Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

5/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.20
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 12221-

Last run: 215 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
Won the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot (1m6f, good to firm) last June and went close in the St Leger (14.5f, good) in September before Group 2 win at Longchamp (1m7f, soft) in October; trainer has won three of the last six runnings; leading claims if at the top of his game on his reappearance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(6)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Illinois

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Ran as if something was amiss in the Irish St Leger on last appearance; very consistent otherwise and justified favouritism in this contest (good) 12 months ago, prior to second-place finishes in two Cup races; beaten only a neck by stablemate Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St Leger; respected in rematch with that rival.

3/1

7th

5

(7)

14th Sep 2025

Good To Yielding

1m 6f 0y

16:25 Curragh

Illinois

9st 10lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

Very consistent high-class stayer; narrowly beaten in last year's St Leger at Doncaster and beat Al Qareem on seasonal return in Ormonde Stakes (Chester) before second placings in both Ascot Gold Cup and when outstayed by stablemate Scandinavia in 2m Goodwood Cup, having made the running; cheekpieces now tried and big player.

15/8

2nd

3

(8)

29th Jul 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:05 Goodwood

Illinois

9st 12lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Sometimes hangs under pressure but he's a resolute galloper who races prominently and can make the running if necessary; superbly reliable since last May and although he's not yet won a Group 1, he's been second in three of them, including last year's St Leger and last month's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot; another leading role looks assured.

6/4

2nd
2 (2)
Al Qareem

6/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 114-31 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who made it 2-2 here with Listed win last September (1m4f, soft), and he landed the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot (1m4f, soft) in October; narrow Listed win at Nottingham (1m6f, good) last month on his second start of the season and he's entitled to respect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Al Qareem

9st 5lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Justified favouritism in Listed grade at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft) on seasonal debut, making it five wins from his last nine starts and taking overall record to 13-36; Chester record reads 112, most recently running creditably in this race 12 months ago; again likely to give his running.

9/1

1st

1

(5)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Front-runner who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins; the four last season (April-October) included career-best form; unraced here; has never won first time out but he has run creditably and is the clear form pick.

4/5

1

(5)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 7f 209y

Class 1

12:55 Ascot

Al Qareem

9st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Front-running 6yo who keeps pulling out more, with 12 wins now to his credit, including three of his four starts at Ascot; latest was over 1m4f two weeks ago, with three 1m6f wins earlier this season; he's never been at his best over this far, admittedly with stiff tasks but it's hard to ignore that Trawlerman gave him 3lb and a comprehensive beating at York in August.

12/1

13/8

Form: 7/415- C

Last run: 184 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Listed winner here (14.4f, good) last August on sole course visit and highly creditable fifth in the Melbourne Cup next time; arrives fit from hurdling, having defied a lofty mark at Plumpton 18 days ago; receives 5lb from Illinois and he's a major player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

1

1st May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 45y

18:40 Punchestown

Absurde

11st 12lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

One of three for trainer; dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); 2024 County Hurdle winner was well below his best in that race this season back from a break (2m1f, soft); improved display at Cork when 3.25l behind Ndaawi (16.5f, yielding); a good bit to find with Lossiemouth even if running to his rating, which he hasn't done so far this term.

40/1

2nd

3

5th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 0f 70y

13:50 Cork

Absurde

11st 2lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: W P Mullins

Classy dual-purpose sort who has run creditably in the last three Melbourne Cups (rated 107 on the Flat); below best after a break in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but should be sharper now and Harry Cobden has won on him before; top rated at 153 and obvious chance.

5/4

20th

2

13th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 179y

Class 1

14:00 Cheltenham

Absurde

11st 13lb

J: Mr P W Mullins

T: W P Mullins

Won this in 2024 and third last year, albeit off much lower marks; operated a little below his very best on the Flat last year, including in Australia in the autumn, which perhaps raises a few doubts as to whether he'll be able to find the career-best hurdle performance which will be needed to defy such a lofty mark.

16/1

Form: 32547-

Last run: 299 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Kept on well for fourth in Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m4f, good to firm) last June and could have potential at this new trip now back on the Flat, having gone 0-3 over hurdles this year for his new yard; however, this is a hot race and others hold stronger form claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

5th Apr 2026

Good

1m 7f 195y

Class 2

16:05 Plumpton

Mondo Man

11st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Initially disappointing over hurdles given how smart he was on the Flat, with his keen-going tendencies holding him back; however, a switch to front-running has yielded wins in a maiden here and the Imperial Cup at Sandown (10lb lower); both those came on soft ground but this faster surface won't bother him at all; they've found the key to him by the looks.

13/8

1st

17

7th Mar 2026

Soft

1m 7f 216y

Class 2

14:27 Sandown

Mondo Man

10st 12lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Classy on the Flat; some warm tasks switched to hurdles last year, performing with credit more often than not; held up when fourth of 13 on handicap hurdle debut at Ascot (1m7f, good to soft) in December in a race that favoured those ridden prominently; has since easily justified 1-7 odds in Plumpton maiden (2m, soft); retains potential off this mark in view of Flat ability.

11/4

1st

3

23rd Feb 2026

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

13:30 Plumpton

Mondo Man

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Useful Flat racer; 0-5 over hurdles, but he was highly tried last season and encountered some useful opposition; ran a cracker on handicap debut when fourth in a hot Ascot contest in December (1m7f, good to soft); that effort sets a lofty standard and he should be hard to beat now in maiden company.

1/9

Form: 1312-4

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 98

Form & Verdict
Made debut last April and showed strong 1m4f handicap form last July/October (good/good to soft); respectable fourth on reappearance at Kempton (1m3f, AW) in March and this 4yo could still have more to offer, but a leap of improvement is needed if he's to make an impact today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

6

(7)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Close second in Listed events at Chester (12.5f) last September and Musselburgh (1m6f) on reappearance, latter behind Al Qareem who gave 5lb and is now better off; further behind that opponent when fifth of six in this race last year; needs a personal best.

25/1

2nd

3

(1)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Had a very solid campaign last season bar one blip (front-running was blamed); all but one of those races was at 1m4f, with a creditable fifth of six thrown in over the extended 1m5f at Chester in May (Group 3) but there is a bit for him to prove on this first foray over 1m6f.

4/1

4th

5

(2)

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Newbury

Mount Atlas

9st 6lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Maiden win in 2024 was his only run on soft, unraced on heavy; ran a shocker at York (front-running was blamed) on penultimate start in what has otherwise been a solid campaign, including when beaten half a length by Hamish in 1m4f Listed race at Chester last time; the winner, however, also gave him 3lb that day, helping to show that this 4yo needs improvement.

10/1

Form: 1/1116

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 104

Form & Verdict
After a stint over jumps he reverted to the Flat for a new yard in January and won three AW handicaps in a row (1m6f/2m); needs a career best if he's to win today, however, and he was below par at Newcastle last time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(4)

4th Apr 2026

Good

1m 5f 216y

Class 1

14:30 Musselburgh

Roaring Legend

9st 2lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Olly Murphy

A poor show last May prompted a second wind operation and it was a solid campaign otherwise; never better than when second this February in 2m AW handicaps at Wolverhampton and Lingfield, but peak turf form isn't far behind it and he'll probably be on the premises.

7/1

2nd

1

(2)

27th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 2

15:45 Lingfield (AW)

Roaring Legend

9st 12lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Olly Murphy

Developed into a useful handicapper on the Flat for Hugo Palmer last year; having rejoined Olly Murphy, he continued the good work when second on 2m Wolverhampton reappearance three weeks ago, with reopposing pair Enemy and Brasil Power narrowly behind in third/fourth; likely to go well again.

11/4

2nd

1

(6)

6th Feb 2026

Standard

2m 0f 120y

Class 2

16:22 Wolverhampton (AW)

Roaring Legend

10st 0lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Olly Murphy

Developed into a useful handicapper, including on AW, last year for Hugo Palmer; close third in the Mallard at Doncaster on final outing; however, needs a career-best performance to defy current mark on first run since rejoining Olly Murphy.

11/2

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.60
Straight Forecast £9.73
Trifecta £14.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

Absurde

SPOTLIGHT:

Illinois

The Times:

Mount Atlas

TOPSPEED:

Al Qareem

RP RATINGS:

Illinois

Telegraph:

Illinois

Daily Mail:

Illinois

D Express:

Illinois

The Guardian:

Absurde

Daily Mirror:

Absurde

The Sun:

Absurde

The Star:

Absurde

Daily Record:

Absurde