Albaflora in the Ormonde Stakes

Chester, Thursday 5 May: The May Festival at Chester continues today with seven races. The Ormonde Stakes (4th race/16.10pm/110,000 pounds/2692m) at Group 3 level takes centre stage.

Albaflora (Rossa Ryan) could be the winner. Trained by Ralph Beckett, the mare won at List level on her seasonal debut at Ascot a year ago and went on to finish several strong. Significant among these were classic honours in the Yorkshire Oaks and the Champion Fillies & Mares. Among her main opponents is Believe In Love (Andrea Atzeni), who recently finished fifth in the Bavarian Grand Prix (Group 1). The five-year-old probably achieved her best performance last year as second in the Prix de Royallieu (Group 1). Hamish (Tom Marquand), who ran appealingly to Trueshan and Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup (Group 2), and Alounak (David Probert), who finished ahead of Hamish on the all-weather track at Kempton last time out, are other contenders with good chances. Invite (John Egan) and Thunderous (Franny Norton) could be further along at the second start of the year.