Conditions correct for Big Orange in Ormonde Stakes
Published:
Big Orange came on like a highly progressive young stayer last season and he can improve again to land Chester’s Ormonde Stakes at odds of 5/1.
Fourth in the Listed Queens Vase at Royal Ascot, he posted two further wins at the same level subsequently.
The first of those saw him beat Whiplash Willie and De Riguer over the Ormonde course and distance, on the good-to-soft going he will likely encounter on his latest excursion to the Roodee.
Both vanquished foes went on to rubber stamp the form, the former by finishing second to Estimate in the Doncaster Cup and the latter when beaten under a length in the Cesarewitch.
Big Orange then went on to score again under a penalty, downing St Leger fifth Marzocco in the process and earning a supplementary entry into the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.
The heavy ground was likely his undoing that day, but he still finished in front of the likes of 117-rated Ascot Gold Cup winner Leading Light in fifth.
Only bottom-of-the-handicap Deuce Again can claim to be less exposed and that one is 4lbs wrong at the weights.
Tom Queally’s mount has a good deal more potential to improve than his more aged rivals.
Of those more experienced campaigners, 7/4 favourite Tac de Boistron must give 7lbs to his rivals, while Aussie Reigns 40/1 and Montefeltro 40/1 are in excess of 10lbs worse with Big Orange on the handicap.
Ryan Moore may have the biggest say if the selection is to be defeated, aboard 7/2 Windshear.
Tried only twice at trips beyond 1m4f and running for the in-form pilot in a first time visor, there could be more to come.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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