In the 3.10 the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes this afternoon the favourite is Dartmouth, this horse is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by the Queen. He has a 3lb penalty today from his race last month which he won convincingly, the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Chelmsford, after a last minute switch from Newbury. He was inspected by the Queen on Tuesday at Newmarket and word from the stables is he should have no problems today. Ridden by Ryan Moore, his odds are 13/8 with Bet365.
Sir Michael Stoute has won the Ormonde five times previously to Aidan O’Brien’s three wins today, he has Father Christmas running today making his comeback after more than ten months off. Ridden by J.A Heffernan he’s an outsider today, but not to be written off with odds at 7/1 with Ladbrokes.
One other Irish horse to watch today in this race is Wicklow Brave the seven year old from the stable of Willie Mullins is used to winning hurdles but today is his first flat race this year. Last year he came second in The Ebor and third in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot, so he is a real contender today and Mullins as we know is on fire this season. Today for the first time he runs with a hood, but he’s fresh which is when he’s at his best having been rested for a few months after coming third in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle.Mullins has said he's sticking with the flat this summer for Wicklow Brave and he should settle quickly with the hood. Ridden today by William Buick he is second favourite with the bookies and odds of 4/1 with William Hill.
The going at Chester today is good there are seven runners and riders in this race on the card, over 1m5f89y. There are seven races today on the card in the final day of the Chester Festival, which has had glorious weather this week.
Racing this weekend at Ascot, Haydock, Lingfield, Nottingham and more, with the weather forecast set to get even hotter, what better way to spend your weekend than at the races.