Chester Preview: Ormonde Stakes (15.10)

Windshear can make the most of the weight he receives from Tac De Boistron to land the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester today (15.10).

The Richard Hannon trained colt was a model of consistency last season after slamming the useful Collaboration by 4 1/2 lengths in a handicap on soft ground at Sandown, finishing runner-up in two Group 3 contests and a cracking fourth of 12 to Kingston Hill in the Group 1 St Leger.

Windshear then took advantage of a drop in grade to make a winning reappearance in conditions contest at Doncaster.

The four-year-old was value for far more than the winning margin, having travelled supremely well throughout before idling once hitting the front inside the final furlong.

This son of Hurricane Run backed that up with a solid two length fourth in the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last time out over 1m 4f, getting outpaced three from home on quick ground before staying on strongly to be gaining at the finish.

Windshear should appreciate the step up to today’s 1m 5f judged on that effort, and the return to softer ground should also suit.

It’s also interesting that connections are now fitting Windshear with the visor for the first time, and if that he the desired effect he is going to be tough to beat in the hands of red-hot jockey Ryan Moore.

Tac De Boistron heads the betting, but has to give 7lb to Windsheer as a result of winning the Group 1 Prix Royal Oak at Longchamp when last seen in action.

The eight-year-old was winning that race for a second time, and is undoubtedly a top class stayer.

Tac De Boistron also won on his sole previous visit to this venue, and scored first time up last season when landing the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.