May 07 / 15.05 Chester

15.05

Good

Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £85065
  • 1m 5f 84y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
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Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/5 (Won)

  • Win: £1.58
  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1/214-

Last run: 285 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Underperformed in the King George on last appearance, having set a pace that perhaps wasn't strong enough given his proven stamina (St Leger winner); cheekpieces worn that day are now removed; mostly progressive otherwise, still has a good strike-rate (5-7) and showed tip-top form to beat Calandagan in the 2025 Coronation Cup at Epsom; the pick on ratings, accordingly.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

(3)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Jan Brueghel

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Dual Group 1 winner who has a record of 6-9 overall and had a mitigating factor (set an unsuitably steady pace) in his 2025 King George defeat in sole C&D attempt; played a distant second fiddle last time when bidding for a Coronation Cup double at Epsom but nothing behind the winner showed their form in the rain-soaked conditions; the peak form he showed when beating Calandagan 12 months earlier gives him a big chance in this field.

9/2

2nd

5

(1)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Jan Brueghel

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

High-class performer who has a record of 6-8 overall and 2-3 at Group 1 level, adding to his 2024 St Leger win when knuckling down the better to beat Calandagan in this contest (good to soft) 12 months ago; combination of cheekpieces and setting an unsuitably steady pace perhaps contributed to his King George defeat behind that rival; reappearance success in the Ormonde at Chester (1m5f, good) sets him up nicely for another Coronation Cup bid.

11/4

25/1

  • Place: £2.70

Form: 1924-2

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(3)

11th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

16:55 York

Mount Atlas

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who is an improved performer this season and registered career-best form when a close third in C&D Listed race last time, a neck behind Tabletalk; should be bang there once again.

13/8

3rd

4

(6)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Mount Atlas

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

5yo who has been an improved performer on his two starts this season, going close behind Al Qareem at Musselburgh (1m6f, soft; Listed, same terms today) then runner-up in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester (13.3f, good) in which Al Qareem flopped; he's firmly in calculations.

3/1

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

3/1

Form: /1227- CD BF

Last run: 235 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 116

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

(2)

19th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 4y

16:25 Curragh

Illinois

9st 11lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

2024 Queen's Vase winner; second in last year's Gold Cup at Royal Ascot (good to firm) and runner-up again in the Goodwood Cup (2m, good); flopped when favourite for the Irish St Leger won by Al Riffa; satisfactory return in Ormonde at Chester before a dismal Coronation Cup run; bounced back from that when landing the Queen Alexandra.

2/1

1st

8

(13)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 5f 143y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Illinois

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Finished runner-up in last year's Gold Cup here (good to firm) and second again in the Goodwood version (2m, good), only narrowly failing to concede 14lb to Scandinavia; crystal clear claims on these favourable terms if returning to that level of form but he wasn't at his best when bidding for a second Ormonde at Chester and ran abysmally in the recent Coronation Cup when under the pump from a worryingly early stage (unwise to blame the rain-hit ground when he has soft-ground form); hard to dismiss but in equal measure he's hard to trust.

3/1

6th

4

(5)

6th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Illinois

9st 2lb

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Runner-up in two Cup races last term; only a neck behind stablemate Jan Brueghel in the 2024 St Leger but was beaten about 5l by that opponent last month when bidding for a second success in the Ormonde at Chester, doing nothing to close their current ratings differential; perhaps in here to set the pace and ensure a proper test.

40/1

Form: 513-14

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Very useful for current yard; has been on his travels this year, winning 1m7f handicap at Riyadh then creditable fourth over 2m at Meydan, both Group 2; however, incurs 5lb penalty and faces a stiffer assignment conceding weight all round in this field.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(11)

20th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:05 Ascot

Sons And Lovers

9st 3lb

J: Pierre-Charles Boudot

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Generally consistent performer who wasn't disgraced on bare figures at Chester (1m5f) last time but finished almost 8l behind Jan Brueghel, getting nowhere near to defying a penalty for his Group 2 Saudi handicap win (1m7f); faces a stiff task and needs help from first-time headgear.

66/1

4th

1

(2)

7th May 2026

Good

1m 5f 84y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Sons And Lovers

9st 7lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Very useful for current yard; has been on his travels this year, winning 1m7f handicap at Riyadh then creditable fourth over 2m at Meydan, both Group 2; however, incurs 5lb penalty and faces a stiffer assignment conceding weight all round in this field.

16/1

3rd

2

(1)

13th Sep 2025

Soft

1m 4f 0y

15:50 Leopardstown

Sons And Lovers

9st 12lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Several decent efforts in defeat at Listed/Group 3 level for Jane Chapple-Hyam in 2024 and again earlier this term before making the breakthrough at this level in Ballyroan Stakes over C&D last month, dictating throughout on first attempt at this trip; stiffer task here.

13/2

9/1

Form: 4313-1 C

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
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.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

(5)

13th Jun 2026

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:00 York

Al Qareem

9st 7lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Uncharacteristically below par when well beaten at Chester last month and the track wasn't an excuse; four Group 3/Listed wins last year, including when making all in this under a 5lb penalty (same today), and he reappeared with a Listed win at Musselburgh in April; leading claims if back on song.

2/1

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

OUR TIP

Form: 1-3223 BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Versatile and consistent handicapper who landed the 2025 Cesarewitch (2m2f) in most recent turf attempt and has been placed in all AW starts (1m2f-2m) this year; however, faces a very difficult task at the weights upped in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

2

(7)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Beylerbeyi

9st 9lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Tricky to settle and is held up in rear; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; back to near his best when eighth of 20 at Royal Ascot (2m4f) but he needs to hit a new high if he's to win this.

16/1

8th

1

(16)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Beylerbeyi

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 9lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year; not nearly so good in his two races back on turf but his recent run at Epsom (1m2f) should have teed him up nicely for this; current mark and tactical issues coming from the rear are the chief worries.

12/1

10th

5

(17)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:15 Epsom

Beylerbeyi

9st 3lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

Acts on good to soft, much more to prove on soft; won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (2m2f, good to firm; 10lb higher today) last October and had some very solid AW form over 1m2f-2m this year, prior to tailing off at 50-1 in the Group 3 Ormonde at Chester four weeks ago; he's not on a bad mark but plenty needs to go right if one of his late rushes is to prevail in this.

33/1

66/1

Form: 35-640

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Best effort this year, but still below peak form, when close fourth to Sons And Lovers in Group 2 handicap at Riyadh; failed to beat a rival on AW last time, hasn't won since 2023 and faces a much stiffer assignment on these terms.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Real Dream

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Kavanagh

T: Ian Williams

Third in this race last year off 3lb higher; competitive only once (Saudi Arabia in February) from six starts this year and there's been no win for very nearly three years, so he's far from being the percentage call.

50/1

13th

6

(1)

16th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 6f 34y

Class 2

18:10 Ascot

Real Dream

9st 11lb

J: Mickael Barzalona

T: Ian Williams

Close up in a Saudi Arabian 1m7f handicap in February (latest run in a tongue-tie that now returns) but that form is none too persuasive in a race of this nature and he's hardly hit the ground running back in Britain; only eighth in this last year off 2lb higher; one for the optimists.

22/1

7th

1

(4)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Real Dream

9st 12lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Ian Williams

Fourth in handicap in Saudi Arabia on second start this year but has not beaten a rival in two runs back in Britain; difficult to recommend.

25/1

Non-runners

Rahiebb

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £7.50
Straight Forecast £7.65
Tricast £15.14
Trifecta £22.90

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Jan Brueghel

SPOTLIGHT:

Rahiebb

The Sun:

Illinois

TOPSPEED:

Rahiebb

NEWMARKET:

Rahiebb

Daily Mail:

Rahiebb

Daily Mirror:

Rahiebb

POSTDATA:

Jan Brueghel

The Times:

Jan Brueghel

Telegraph:

Jan Brueghel

The Guardian:

Jan Brueghel

D Express:

Jan Brueghel

Daily Record:

Jan Brueghel

The Star:

Illinois