Sir Michael Stoute's Midterm is in better shape to bounce back in Friday's Ormonde Stakes at Chester, according to connections.
The four-year-old Galileo colt was fancied for the Derby last year before a setback and he has since failed to rediscover the spark of his early performances.
Midterm was disappointing on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury last month, finishing fifth behind John Gosden's Muntahaa.
But connections are hoping he can bounce back to his best in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester on Friday.
“He had a couple of niggly things after his run at Newbury. It was a little bit unsatisfactory,” Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, told The Sun.
“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.”
US Army Ranger, who went on to finish second in the Derby after winning the Chester Vase last year, will be among his rivals on the Roodee.
Aidan O'Brien's colt was a neck behind Midterm in the Champion Stakes and was third to Air Pilot at Naas on his return last month.
