Illinois grinds out win in Ormonde Stakes at Chester
Illinois began his season in the best possible fashion with a gritty success in the Ladbrokes Big-Value You Can Bet On Ormonde Stakes at Chester.
A Royal Ascot winner in the Queen's Vase last year, he was also second in the Grand Prix de Paris and the St Leger.
He was giving weight away to some decent rivals due to a penalty picked up in France on his final outing but Ryan Moore was thankful to Sam James for coming off the rail on the pace setting Al Qareem.
That allowed Illinois (6-5 favourite) to sneak up his inside and lead into the straight, but once there he thought he had done enough and Absurde and Al Qareem began to come back at him.
However, Aidan O'Brien's four-year-old was kept up to his work to beat the rallying Al Qareem by a length and a quarter to ensure the Ballydoyle handler had won all four major races on the opening two days of the meeting.
Mount Kilimanjaro came from the clouds to provide Aidan O'Brien with yet another win in the Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes at Chester.
O'Brien is now the leading trainer in the race's history, and this was his seventh win in eight renewals.
While none of his winners have gone on to follow up at Epsom, this son of Siyouni is now a general 20-1 chance for the blue riband Classic.
As Great David came over from a wide draw to lead the field at a strong pace, Ryan Moore was some way off the gallop.
He looked to have a mountain to climb as they turned into the straight, with High Stock taking over at the head of affairs, but the even-money favourite got going late on to win by a neck.
Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick, said: "It was a great ride by Ryan, he was very patient. I think the pace was very honest and Ryan didn't panic and the horse quickened up well and showed a nice attitude.
"As we've always said, they learn so much here – it's almost like they have two races in one. He'll come forward again from this, so we're delighted with him.
"I think he'll go for a Derby of some sorts, either Epsom or the French Derby was mentioned as well. There's options for him and we'll just see how the trials go and juggle them and see where they all go."
Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley said: "I thought this fella showed a great turn of foot and I suppose it gives us the option of either going to Epsom or going to France with him.
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