Horse-by-horse guide: Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes

The Group 3 Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes (3:05) - live on Sky Sports Racing - has been a primary hunting ground for Ballydoyle in recent years. Finding one quality older horse for the staying division is tough, but Aidan O’Brien has a conveyor belt of conditioned and talented performers to enter in races of this nature.

The geographically-named quartet of Idaho, Japan, Point Lonsdale and Illinois have given O’Brien four Ormonde victories in the last seven years, and he is doubly represented this season in a bid to extend that impressive streak.

Let's take a look at this year’s runners and riders…

1. SONS AND LOVERS (stall 2)

Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle | Trainer: Joseph O’Brien

Joseph O’Brien can win races anytime, anywhere. Grade 1s at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals? No problem. Melbourne Cup? Two of those. Breeders’ Cup? Both as a rider and trainer. France? You got it. How about Saudi Arabia? Bank it. His talent knows no bounds.

That inaugural Saudi Arabian victory came just three months ago thanks to Sons And Lovers, who plundered the Group 2 Red Sea Turf Handicap under a cool front-running ride from Dylan Browne McMonagle. It was a big step forward for this five-year-old, although the form has been subsequently let down by his closest pursuers Tabletalk and Tarriance, who were both well beaten at Ascot last week.

For all that O’Brien has a glittering collection of big-race wins, success at Chester has been harder to achieve (0-8). Sons And Lovers will have to take another step forward to provide his trainer with that belated Roodee victory, especially given he may be pressured on the lead and has a 5lb penalty to shoulder.

2. AL QAREEM (8)

Clifford Lee | Karl Burke

There aren’t many Flat horses that develop a loyal fanbase, but Al Qareem is certainly one of them. A 13-time winner who has amassed £824,425 in total prize-money, Al Qareem always leaves it all on the track. Guts, determination and courage are the first three words that come to mind with this front-runner.

Ground-versatile and unwilling to relent under the heat of battle, Al Qareem is sure to give you a good run for your money. He also has race-fitness on his side after fending off the re-opposing Mount Atlas in the Goliath Stakes at Musselburgh last month.

He does, however, have to give away 3lb to his higher-rated rivals due to his Group 3 Cumberland Lodge success in October. That certainly makes his task a little bit tougher.

3. BEYLERBEYI (3)

Billy Loughnane | Ian Williams

It always looked like this French import had a big day ahead of him, and it finally happened on the 38th attempt when he landed the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October. Stepped up to 2m2f and fitted with a first-time hood, Beylerbeyi stayed on powerfully to justify strong market support. All roads may lead back there this year.

His subsequent efforts have been solid if not spectacular, and he may now be in the grip of the handicapper off his mark of 101. That puts him in between a rock and a hard place: continue running consistently well at that level and be nudged up another pound or two or try your luck in a Group race. If it goes badly, the handicapper may relent. If it goes well, his future could lie here. Over this trip, the former option makes more sense.

4. ILLINOIS (6)

Wayne Lordan | Aidan O’Brien

A good record fresh and winning course form may entice you in, but Aidan O’Brien was keen to point out last summer that the team at Ballydoyle believed Illinois would be an Ascot Gold Cup horse in 2026. To become that type, more emphasis has to be put on stamina in training. Does he still have the speed to beat some of these quicker types?

Illinois ran second behind Trawlerman in the Gold Cup last year following his length-and-a-quarter beating of Al Qareem in this very race. It looked like he may have the potential to develop into a leading staying light for his connections, who were looking for a replacement for the retired Kyprios.

I don’t think we will see him at his best until next month’s primary assignment at the Royal meeting, and therefore his price looks pretty unappealing. That being said, there is no doubting Illinois’ talent and adaptability to handle this unique track.

5. JAN BRUEGHEL (4)

Ryan Moore | Aidan O’Brien

The 2024 St Leger and 2025 Coronation Cup winner makes his return. Two Group 1s in the locker already despite having just seven runs in his truncated career to date. Jan Brueghel is a well-established middle-distance performer whose claim to fame is undoubtedly his beating of Calandagan at Epsom last summer. We all know what that horse has achieved since (five subsequent Group 1 strikes).

That form line alone should scare off his opposition, but it is fair to say there are still some question marks about this great beast. Does he really handle ground on the fast side of good? Why were cheekpieces reached for on his final start last year? And just how ready is he going to be after a 285-day lay-off with his main target (Coronation Cup) still a month away?

An official mark of 125 gives him a 9lb buffer over Illinois and 10lb over Rahiebb. If he runs close to his rating he will win, but this might be the time to take him on.

6. MOUNT ATLAS (7)

Oisin Murphy | Andrew Balding

No trainer has started the year in better form than Andrew Balding (63 winners at a 25% clip), but this assignment for Mount Atlas may be in hope rather than expectation. Beaten on both starts at this track, including when easily fended off by Illinois in this race last year, and also outstayed by Al Qareem on his comeback, Mount Atlas will need others to drastically underperform to play a leading role.

7. RAHIEBB (1)

Ray Dawson | Roger Varian

Four-year-olds have won just two of the last nine editions of this race and Rahiebb is the sole entry from that generation in this renewal. Unexposed after just seven starts and with the potential to improve, a mark of 115 may underplay the talent that this son of Frankel possesses. That being said, given he and Jan Brueghel have been seen an identical amount of times on the track, one horse has clearly achieved more - and it’s not Roger Varian’s charge.

Past performances are obviously key to understanding a horse’s level of talent. But sometimes other personality or character traits can diminish the visual display or numerical figure associated with such displays. Rawness and unprofessionalism were causes for defeats last season, yet he ran with such promise when third in the Queen’s Vase and second in the St Leger.

With another winter under his belt, we need to see a more adult display from Rahiebb - a performance that pushes his nose into the spotlight that is currently shining brightly on Jan Brueghel. It’s certainly possible that it happens in this very race.

8. REAL DREAM (5)

Joe Leavy | Ian Williams

This seven-year-old gelding has been a real money-spinner for connections at lower levels, most notably when he copped £92,592 for finishing fourth behind Sons And Lovers at Riyadh in February. However, he hasn’t won since July 2023 and has no realistic chance on these terms up against classy opposition.