15:10 Chester

Thursday 5 May 2022

All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4016:1516:50

tote.co.uk Proud To Support Chester Racecourse Ormonde Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 2m 55.99s

(5)

Hamish¹⁸⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 110| BF

9/2

Most progressive at 3 yrs and not seen to best effect in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot sole start at 4. Defied a 15-month absence (had a tendon injury) when edging out Hukum in September Stakes at Kempton. However, failed to build on that both starts since so not the easiest to assess at present.

Form: 124/147-

(6)

Adrian²⁹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: B J Llewellyn| OR: 105

66/1

Smart performer in Germany, successful in listed race at Cologne on return last season and Group 3 Furstenberg-Rennen at Hoppegarten final start in July. Sold from H. Grewe €110,000 following month. Career best required to make a winning British debut.

Form: 8/13561-

(1)

Alounak¹⁸⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 107

12/1

Smart gelding who was back to form when winning the Old Newton Cup at Haydock last summer and best effort that season when third off 108 in Ebor at York. Also runner-up to Invite in a listed event here (12.3f) in September.

Form: 143275-

(9)

East Asia⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100

40/1

Useful gelding who did very well for this yard last season, winning 4 times, and produced a career best when second in a Group 3 at Meydan (14f) in February. Stiff task in Group 2 there (2m) following month and plenty to find here on balance.

Form: 5310-20

(3)

John Leeper^h1¹⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 105

14/1

Looked an exciting prospect when winning a listed race at Newmarket (12f, good to firm) a year ago but failed to live up to that promise after. Hood applied now stepping up in trip on return.

Form: 193738-

(4)

Thunderous^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 110

9/1

Smart gelding who ran with credit in pattern company last season without managing to get his head in front. Shaped as if needing the run at Newbury on return and better expected now with blinkers re-fitted.

Form: 1/7324-6

(2)

Albaflora²⁰¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113

10/11

Smart mare who bolted up in a C&D listed event at Ascot on return last year. Ended last season with good runner-up efforts in the Yorkshire Oaks and Group 1 Fillies' & Mares' Stakes at Ascot. The one to beat back down in class.

Form: 145322-

(10)

Believe In Love¹⁷⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 109

9/1

Landed Group 3 at Leopardstown (14f) last summer and only just edged out in Group 1 Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp in October. Excuses in Munich final start. Must be considered back down in class.

Form: 1/71625-

(8)

Invite¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: J F Egan| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| C

16/1

Useful filly who scored twice last season, including when beating Alounak in a listed event here (12f) in September. However, finished over 10 lengths behind Albaflora in Fillies' & Mares' Stakes at Ascot following month and down the field at Newbury on return.

Form: 21515-7

Non-Runners

(7)

Mandoob²¹⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: B J Meehan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Albaflora (10/11), Hamish (9/2), Thunderous (9/1), Believe In Love (9/1), Mandoob (10/1), Alounak (12/1), John Leeper (14/1), Invite (16/1), East Asia (40/1), Adrian (66/1)

ALBAFLORA was only just denied in the Fillies' & Mares' Stakes at Ascot when last seen in October and sets a clear standard on that form back down in class. She clearly goes well fresh after her impressive comeback win at Ascot last season and she wouldn't be troubled by any rain. Believe In Love was also just edged out at the highest level when outbattled in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp in October so rates the obvious threat, while Thunderous could be dangerous if allowed an easy lead.