'He'd do whatever you want' - options open for 'versatile' Illinois after giving Aidan O'Brien record seventh Ormonde

There is more to life than Epsom, even if you are trained by the man who has had more Derby winners than anyone else in history.

An expensive defeat on the Classic trail in this week of last year was only a blip in the seemingly inexorable rise of Illinois, a monster of a colt who now looks sure to have a big say in top races this summer.

He started red-hot favourite to give Aidan O'Brien a seventh win in the Lingfield Derby Trial last May, only to be beaten four and a half lengths into second and not go to Epsom.

Instead, he waited for Royal Ascot where he landed the Queen's Vase, then added another Group 2 victory at Longchamp, as well as finishing a close second in the St Leger.

Taking the scenic route to the top has done no harm to a four-year-old who has filled out into a fine specimen since his Classic season and towered over his rivals in the paddock on his return in a Group 3 that is a traditional starting point for smart middle-distance stayers.

Nor could any cope with him in the race, as Ryan Moore tracked the pace-setting Sam James on Al Qareem before going on two furlongs out and always looking likely to hold on and give O'Brien a record seventh win.

Illinois passes the stands with a circuit to run on the way to Ormonde successCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Paul Smith, representing Coolmore, said of Illinois: "That was very pleasing. He's a big, fine, strong animal so he will improve for the run. 

"Ryan was very happy with him. He was waiting for someone at the bend to take him there and they didn't so he just had to go. He was just playing around in front at the end there but he's a lovely horse.

"You can see what he did last year, he's a proper horse. He's a two-time Group 2 winner and carried the penalty today and did it really well."

Illinois holds entries in races ranging from the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 1m2½f to the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup and Smith said: "He's very versatile. We've just been talking to Aidan and you could drop him back in trip for the Coronation Cup or you could step him up to Cup races. He'd do whatever you want for you."

It was Moore's fourth win from four rides for Ballydoyle at Chester this week, not all as smoothly gained as this one.

Smith said: "He's a cool customer. It's like when you see Roger Federer play tennis, it looks effortless and it's the way he rides horses, he never panics. There's always more time with Ryan Moore than you think."

Karl Burke is already looking ahead to September with Al Qareem, who kept on well to be beaten only a length and a quarter by the winner.

"I'm delighted with him," the trainer said. "It was probably one of his best runs. The plan was to let him do his own thing in front and they were always just within striking distance of him.

"Softer ground again and he probably wins as all he does is go the same pace. He loves soft ground and maybe the Irish Leger will be a nice end-of-season target."

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