Aidan O’Brien runner can prove a credible Epsom candidate in waiting with victory in the Dee Stakes at ChesterThe major winners on the first day of the Chester May meeting, Sir Dragonet and Mehdaayih, both looked like very credible Group One winners at some point this season, and possibly as soon as Epsom’s Classic meeting next month.Yet the familiar sequence of trials which makes this such a fascinating time of year for racing fans has only just begun, and this afternoon’s Dee Stakes could stamp another ticket to Epsom as Circus Maximus (2.25), a close fourth behind the 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia in last year’s Vertem Trophy at Doncaster, makes his seasonal debut. Related: Sir Dragonet sets Derby poser...
Ed Walker and Charlie Fellowes appear to have serious Derby hopes for the first time but this week will put both to the testIt’s a huge week for two of the younger, up-and-coming British trainers hoping to find themselves with the first credible Derby contenders of their short careers. Ed Walker will run Cap Francais in the Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday while Wednesday’s Chester Vase is the big occasion for Charlie Fellowes and his King Ottokar.Fellowes recently bought Luca Cumani’s stable but has decided to delay moving his string there out of respect for King Ottokar’s chance in the Epsom Classic. “If we are gonna go for the Derby, the last thing I really want to do is change...
Rails on both sides could be used to guide runners towards the centre of the course and ensure a fair race for the ClassicNothing does this punter’s head in more than trying to predict where the field will go in the major straight-course races. Will they split into groups and, if so, will any of the groups cross to a rail? Would they gain an advantage? I fancy one on the far side but it looks like there’s more pace on the near side, so do I stick with it and hope the near-side pace collapses, or seek a hold-up runner on the near side that’ll get a better tow into the race? Related: 2,000 Guineas: Aidan O’Brien lands his...
The improving Kevin Prendergast runner is selected to go one better than in his Classic Trial race at LeopardstownThe absence of star names has turned this year’s 2,000 Guineas into a real puzzle for punters but the answer could be Madhmoon (3.35), from the yard of Kevin Prendergast, who last won this colt’s Classic with Nebbiolo in 1977. Fast ground seems likely at Newmarket, despite Friday’s showers, and that will be this colt’s cup of tea, as he looked flashy on a sound surface last year.He was spinning his wheels on soft ground at Leopardstown last month but still ran well and is expected to be a lot sharper for that, so 8-1 is fine. Of the rest, Ten Sovereigns...
The selection fell three out in last year’s running of the race but was travelling every bit as well as the eventual winnerA fascinating race for the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday was understandably overshadowed by the emotional farewell to Ruby Walsh that followed, but an outstanding renewal of the Festival meeting’s Champion Hurdle should have the stage all to itself on Friday evening as Apple’s Jade, Buveur D’Air, Supasundae and Melon go to post.Three of the four are Grade One winners already: seven times in the case of Buveur D’Air, including two Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham, and 10 for Apple’s Jade, including a record-breaking 16-length success in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in February. Supasundae, meanwhile, beat Buveur...