9 May. GB. Blue Square Ormonde S. G3. Chester. 13,4f. Turf. 75.000 £
1.- MACARTHUR (J.Murtagh)
2.- SUPERSONIC DAVE (R.Hills)
3.- CARTE DIAMOND (P.Hanagan)


Macarthur justified favouritism at 9-4 when running out a convincing winner of the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Johnny Murtagh, the four-year-old was settled just behind the leaders until kicking into top gear rounding the home turn.

Macarthur took over with a little over a furlong to run and lengthened takingly to inflict a four-length defeat on 22-1 chance Supersonic Dave.

Carte Diamond made much of the running and stuck on well for third, while John Gosden’s Raincoat had to snatch up badly when running into trouble late on.

Murtagh said: ‘Aidan said he had improved a lot from his run at the Curragh and he suited the track - he’s got plenty of gears.

‘When we got to the false rail it opened up and for a horse to quicken like that at the end of a mile and five, he must be a nice horse.

‘The ground has been very bad this spring but he loved the ground here today and he’s a high-class horse. I think he has a big future.

‘He’s got the pedigree, he’s a full brother to Motivator so hopefully he can win a Group One like him.’