Aidan O'Brien chasing more records but a big fancy looks beatable - Liam Headd answers the key questions on day two at Chester

What's the big story?

Aidan O'Brien has become the dominant figure in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes – the feature race on day two of the May meeting – and is bidding to take an outright record seventh win.

The Ballydoyle trainer, who shares the record with Sir Michael Stoute, is responsible for dual Group 2 winner Illinois, who was a neck runner-up to stablemate Jan Brueghel in last year's St Leger at Doncaster.

Illinois: bidding to become Aidan O'Brien's seventh winner of the Ormonde StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The four-year-old must overcome five rivals if he is to follow up Point Lonsdale's triumph for O'Brien 12 months ago, with his chief opponent being the Willie Mullins-trained Absurde.

Winner of the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton last month, Absurde has four wins on the Flat – including last year's Listed Chester Stakes – and ended 2024 with fifth place in the Melbourne Cup.

Who wins the Ormonde Stakes?

Illinois has the star quality to give O'Brien another success despite giving away weight to his five opponents. 

Ryan Moore's mount has finished first or second in four starts on ground with good in the description, including a career best on Racing Post Ratings in the St Leger in September.

He was progressive throughout last season and is the class horse in the race.

Illinois15:05 Chester

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Jky: Ryan Moore Tnr: A P O'Brien

What's the other highlight?

If O'Brien's record in the Ormonde is good, his figures in the Listed Dee Stakes (2.35) are even better and he attempts to land a 12th victory with Mount Kilimanjaro.

O'Brien and Moore have combined to win six of the last seven runnings and this year's representative will try to bounce back from his shock 1-4 defeat at Dundalk in March.

A number of rivals behind him in the betting have solid claims.

Calla Lagoon won an Ascot maiden last year that has produced five subsequent winners, while the Andrew Balding-trained High Stock was a strong winner on his debut at Newmarket last month.

High Stock (far side) wins the Wood Ditton Stakes at Newmarket on his debut last monthCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Hott Shott struck at Glorious Goodwood and Mirabeau comes into the race in career-best form after a Listed third at Epsom last month.

What's the best bet of the day?

Richard Hughes's progressive Hott Shott is capable of another bold showing on the basis of what he has produced in six starts.

The form of his second juvenile win at Kempton last year was franked when runner-up Al Shababi won first time out this season at Windsor.

Hott Shott also won on quick ground at Goodwood and he has demonstrated better form this year with two improved RPRs. He is bred to get further, so the step up to 1m2½f should be no issue, and the booking of Billy Loughnane is a bonus. 

Hott Shott14:35 Chester

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Jky: Billy Loughnane Tnr: Richard Hughes

Read more . . .

Harry Wilson fired in a 9-2 winner at Chester on Wednesday - find out his tips for every race on day two of the May meeting 

Paul Kealy's play of the day at Chester 

The Punt Acca: Charlie Huggins was two from three in his last column and has more advice at Chester and Huntingdon 

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