Scorpion heads Ormonde hopefuls

Aidan O’Brien’s 2005 St Leger winner Scorpion tops a field of seven for the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes at Chester on Friday.

The dual Group-One winner returned to the track last season after over 12 months off with injury and competed in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Hong Kong Vase.

Geoff Wragg has won four of the last six runnings of the Group Three event and relies on The Whistling Teal, successful 12 months ago.

Richard Fahey’s top-class filly Anna Pavlova holds an entry but the Malton trainer stated she will only take part if there is sufficient rain.

Michael Stoute is represented by Ask, last seen finishing fourth to Sixties Icon in the St Leger.

The field is completed by Steppe Dancer, the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Litalia and Peppertree Lane.