Black-Type Analysis: More Chester Riches For Aidan O’Brien And Ballydoyle?

[Wandering Eyes]

Thursday, Chester, post time: 15:05, LADBROKES BIG-VALUE YOU CAN BET ON ORMONDE STAKES-G3, £140,000, 4yo/up, 13f 84yT

Field: Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Al Qareem (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Absurde (Fr) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Mondo Man (GB) (Mondialiste {Ire}), Mount Atlas (GB) (Masar {Ire}), Roaring Legend (Fr) (Roaring Lion).

TDN Verdict: Aidan O'Brien is gradually taking control of this May Festival as Barry Hills once did and he could have the outright record in this race if Illinois makes last year's form count. Responsible for six winners so far, the master of Ballydoyle very much has time on his side as he looks to usurp Sir Michael Stoute who can now no longer build on his sextet. Last year's G1 St Leger and G1 Grand Prix de Paris runner-up carries a penalty for his sign-off win in ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix Chaudenay, but he will love this track, trip and ground and this will tell connections whether to go up to the “Cup” distances or tackle the big mile-and-a-half tests. Al Qareem has three pounds extra to carry, having captured Ascot's G3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes in October, but his two visits here have resulted in back-to-back successes in the Listed Stand Cup. It is worth remembering that he beat a certain Bluestocking in the 2023 edition of that contest, despite her having a distinct weight-for-age advantage at that stage of her career. [Tom Frary].

Thursday, Chester, post time: 14:35, BOODLES RAINDANCE DEE STAKES-Listed, £100,000, 3yo, Open, 10f 70yT

Field: Calla Lagoon (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Great David (GB) (Ribchester {Ire}), High Stock (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Hott Shott (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Isambard Brunel (Justify), Mirabeau (GB) (Territories {Ire}), Mount Kilimanjaro (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).

TDN Verdict: Derby trial number two on Chester's Roodee, this contest used to be the favoured one for meeting specialist Barry Hills and his incredible tally of 10 winners was a record until equalled 12 months ago by Aidan O'Brien. Ballydoyle's duo this time is headed by last year's G1 Criterium International runner-up Mount Kilimanjaro, who came up short against Twain there before flopping on his return in Dundalk's Patton Race in early March. Given time to recover from that, he is joined by the stable's Navan maiden winner Isambard Brunel from the family of Found and Best In The World who interestingly won the Chester Vase en route to Derby glory. High Stock adds intrigue, bringing the form of Newmarket's Wood Ditton into play and he is a relative of Light Shift who took the Cheshire Oaks before achieving Oaks glory. [Tom Frary].

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