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One jockey, one horse, one jockey and one race to follow at Chester on Thursday

Jockey

Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien have teamed up to win the Tote-sponsored Dee Stakes (2.15) for the last three seasons and the pair have a great chance of making it four with Ontario.

The son of Galileo brings plenty of experience to the race, including two placed efforts at Group 2 level as a juvenile. He should also improve for the step up in trip.

Japan: will join Broome in the Japan Cup
Japan: favourite for the Ormonde StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Moore also has a good record in the day's featuring Group 3 tote+ Pays You More At tote.co.uk Ormonde Stakes (3.15), with three wins in the last decade.

He rides the high-class performer Japan, who seeks his first success since his Juddmonte International win in August 2019.

Horse

Copper Knight has already recorded two wins at Chester's May meeting and went within a length of making it a perfect hat-trick in 2019.

He was beaten a length off a mark of 100 that day and has fallen considerably down the weights since, now racing off just 85.

Copper Knight (blue, left): looks for another Chester win
Copper Knight (blue, left): looks for another Chester winCredit: Grossick Racing

The seven-year-old has a great draw in stall three to further boost his chances in the Satchell Moran Solicitors Business Interruption Claims Handicap (1.45).

Trainer

Andrew Balding has four interesting chances across Chester's Thursday card, with the unexposed Foxes Tales perhaps the most exciting prospect.

His half-brother, Fox Chairman, was somewhat unlucky not to win the Dee Stakes (2.15) in 2019 and the son of Zoffany comes here after winning a competitive Newbury maiden.

Andrew Balding: enjoyed a diverse education with Uncle Toby and the Ramsdens
Andrew Balding: fields a group of unexposed horsesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Morando is bidding to defend his Ormonde Stakes (3.15) prize from 2019, while Melody Of Life (2.45) and Classic Lord (4.45) have good chances in the handicaps.

Race

The Ormonde Stakes (3.15) is an interesting clash between top stayers and a classy middle-distancer in Japan, testing his stamina over the 1m5½f distance.

While Japan is the proven class act in the eight-strong line-up, he has not won in 18 months and he got no closer than third last season.

Trueshan: back in action
Trueshan: back in actionCredit: Mark Cranham

Trueshan is officially rated the same (118) and makes his first start since running out a breathtaking winner of the Group 2 Long Distance Cup on Champions' Day in October.

The consistent Withhold and 2019 winner Morando are also live contenders.


Read more on Chester's May meeting

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Chester chief executive Richard Thomas will not preside over track's May meeting


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West Country correspondent

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