Diamond Ormonde Stakes Guide

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Ryan Moore

Favourite; last year's St Leger winner begins his Ascot Gold Cup ambitions here around the tight turns of Chester.

Progressed stoutly as a three-year-old last term - winning the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, third in the Great Voltigeur over shorter behind Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter, before winning the final Classic of the season at Doncaster in great style.

Was not seen to great effect in the Arc but was always staying on past the post. Big campaign ahead, and should be hard to beat at this marathon trip.

T - Aidan O'Brien

J - Donnacha O'Brien

Second charge for Ballydoyle, Cypress Creek was not miles behind when finishing last of six when last seen in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Beaten by the best in the business Stradivarius - along with the likes of Thomas Hobson and Sir Erec; who had a fine season as a hurdler.

Won a nice Group Three at Naas in September and is smart, but needs a career best here and would appeal at even further.

T - Andrew Balding

J - Silvestre De Sousa

Seasonal reappearance - last seen winning a Group Three at Newbury via a dead-heat with Young Rascal.

The start before he finished second to Dolphin Vista - a useful handicapper for Ralph Beckett who won the Cambridgeshire in 2017.

May need the run to booster his fitness, but neither of his market rivals have been sighted this season either.

Stall one to make use of.

T - Jane Chapple-Hyam

J - John Egan

Dalgarno's run at Kempton in April - of which he finished just a couple of lengths down on Hugo Palmer's talented four-year-old Collide, was his first in almost two years.

Sea The Stars gelding was making his first start for Jane Chapple-Hyam since moving from France where he won a couple of Conditions contests as a three-year-old.

Ran well in Sunbury in handicap company, but this looks much tougher.

T - Ian Williams

J - Jim Crowley

Quality individual, who stormed away to land the Chester Cup here twelve months ago, before taking the Henry II Stakes at Sandown just a fortnight later.

All roads led to the Melbourne Cup where sadly the plans did not come to fruition in the race, but he will have plenty of big race targets this term in Britain, or owner Dr Marwan Koukash may consider another international dream.

Back to square one and will suit a return here - if he prevails in this, expect a Koukash party in the parade ring.

T - Matthew J Smith

J - Colin Keane

Irish player, who will need to be better than his second run this season at Cork behind Cimeara and Who's Steph in Listed company.

Not the biggest of steps up to a Group Three but will need to improve, also from another failed hurdling campaign.

Has never raced in England - looks up against it here.