Ranger And Midterm Meet Again In Ormonde US Army Ranger will do battle with Midterm again in the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes at Chester on Friday. Aidan O'Brien's runner was a neck behind Midterm in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October and will need to reverse that form if he's to land the Group Three prize. The Ballydoyle representative went on to finish second in the Derby after winning the Chester Vase last year and was third to Air Pilot at Naas on his return last month. Connections of Midterm believe the one-time Derby hope can show his true colours on the Roodee. The four-year-old, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, looked a bright prospect when winning the Bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown last April and was ante-post favourite for the 2016 Epsom showpiece until being beaten in the Dante Stakes. He then suffered a stress fracture which ruled him out of the Derby and sidelined him until the autumn when he ran quite well in both the Prix Niel and Champion Stakes. Though he disappointed on his seasonal reappearance in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury last month, Midterm is now reported to be back to form and ready to show his best. "He had a couple of niggly things after his run at Newbury. It was a little bit unsatisfactory," said Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah. "However, his work since has been very encouraging and we think he's come on a lot for the run. "We're looking forward to seeing him run in the Ormonde." Another course winner in the field is Red Verdon. The Ed Dunlop-trained colt was a good winner of a handicap at this meeting before going on to finish sixth and the fourth in the English and Irish Derbys. Andrew Balding would be sweet on the chances of Duretto, if the much-needed rain arrived. "He's got a 3lb penalty for winning the St Simon Stakes. He's in great form and if they get any rain there, he'd go very well," the Kingsclere handler told At The Races. Winning Story steps into Pattern company after taking the All-Weather Marathon Championship in good style at Lingfield last month. His trainer Saeed bin Suroor appreciates the task in hand but could not have the horse in better shape. "Winning Story won very well on his latest start and is in good form," Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com. "His last piece of work went well and I am looking for a good run, although this is a tougher race for him."
