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Powys County Times
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Illinois digs deep to return with Ormonde triumph
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. Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick, said: 'That was very pleasing, he's a lovely horse and very versatile. 'I was just talking to Aidan there and you could drop him back in trip for the Coronation Cup or you could step him up for Cup races – he'd do whatever you want for you. 'He's a big, strong animal so he will improve for the run. Ryan was very happy, he was waiting at the bend for something to take him there and they didn't, so he had to go and he was just playing around in front at the end. 'He won two Group Twos last year and carried the penalty today, so he's a proper horse.' On Moore's performance in the saddle, riding four O'Brien-trained winners in two days, Smith added: 'He's a cool customer and it's like when you see Roger Federer play tennis – it looks effortless and that is the way he rides his horses. 'He never panics and there's always more time with Ryan Moore than you think.'
RTÉ News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
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.
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Newsboy's ITV4 selections for Chester and Huntingdon plus tips from Thursday's other meetings
Newsboy is backing Absurde to win the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester and he expects High Stock to deliver in the Dee Stakes, both live on ITV4 ABSURDE is fancied to land his connections another big prize by landing the Group 3 Ladbrokes Big-Value You Can Bet On Ormonde Stakes (3.05) at Chester on Thursday. Willie Mullins ' seven-year-old has been a money spinner under on the Flat and over hurdles for his connections and proved his suitability for the Roodee when landing the Listed Chester Stakes last August. Absurde showed he is still at the top of his game with a comprehensive victory in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton last month and his cause here is helped by the fact that market rivals Illinois and Al Qareem have to shoulder making a winning debut at Newmarket's Craven meeting last month, HIGH STOCK looks capable of stepping up to Listed level for the Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes (2.35).The Andrew Balding-saddled son of Dubawi justified market support to land the Wood Ditton Stakes over the Rowley Mile and should be suited by the step up to 10 furlongs. Irish raider FAIR TAXES and Saffie Osborne can prove a potent force in the opening CAA Stellar Handicap (1.30), while LUMINARE is the choice to overcome a wide draw in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes (2.05). The ITV4 cameras are also present at Huntingdon, where ILE DE JERSEY is fancied to come out on top in the Mares' Handicap Hurdle (1.45). CHESTER 1.30 FAIR TAXES1.05 LUMINARE2.35 HIGH STOCK3.05 ABSURDE (NB)3.40 SEX ON FIRE4.10 LIBERTY COACH4.45 MY KINDA GHAIY HUNTINGDON 1.45 ILE DE JERSEY2.15 LES'S DESTINY STAR2.45 ANN D'ARABIE3.15 PRESENTING YEATS3.50 ISKAR D'AIRY4.25 ST JESSICA BRIGHTON 2.25 TIME PATROL (NAP)2.55 CRITICAL ACLAIM3.25 CLIPSHAM NOBLE4.00 IREZUMI4.35 ZU RUN5.10 VICTORS DREAM STRATFORD 5.25 THERAPIST5.55 SIR GALAHAD6.30 SPECIAL JOHN7.05 REMEMBER MOI7.35 MY VIRTUE8.05 SPARTAN WARRIOR CHELMSFORD CITY 6.20 HEAVEN KNOWS6.55 JESSE LUC7.25 MARAAHEB7.55 CRISTO8.25 STAR LEGEND8.55 OCEAN ODYSSEYDOUBLE: TIME PATROL and ABSURDE
