Jan Brueghel back to business in Chester Jan Brueghel defied a lengthy absence to run out an impressive winner of the Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes at Chester on Thursday. Early last June the 2024 St Leger winner looked set for a special summer after beating Calandagan in the Coronation Cup at Epsom, but front-running tactics did not work in the King George at Ascot and he did not run again. Briefly trapped on the rails when the pace quickened, it looked like Sons And Lovers had got first run but once in the clear Jan Brueghel (4-7 favourite) quickened impressively for Ryan Moore to beat Mount Atlas by two and a half lengths. A return to Epsom for the Coolmore-sponsored Coronation Cup now beckons for the impressive winner. O’Brien was not on the Roodee, but told the Press Association: “We were very happy, obviously he hadn’t run for a long time and the plan was to go back to Epsom with him after this. “He enjoyed Epsom last year in the Coronation, he was very good there last year so it makes sense to go back there. “Obviously Coolmore sponsor it now as well so that’s nice.” Paul Smith for the Coolmore partners said: “Ryan was delighted with him. He’s talented and I loved the way he grabbed the bridle there about two out and quicken through the horses. It was good to see him back. The Coronation will be next for him. “You had the little hiccup you heard about from Aidan, but he’s come back fine now and he was in good shape there today. “He’s a great horse to have around, he’s a character as you can see there. A beautiful individual, he’s very talented.” Moore said: “He has a good record. He’s obviously a Leger winner, he won a Coronation. “Things went wrong for him in the King George and it was nice to get him back today in good form.” Stablemate Illinois was third and could now revert to a longer trip. Smith added: “There’s an option for Illinois to go for the staying races, a mile and a half upwards.”
