Aidan O’Brien and his extensive collection of Derby candidates have been something of a standing turn at the Chester May meeting in recent seasons, but this year is a little different as Ballydoyle’s best hope for another win at Epsom on the first weekend in June already has his form in the book.
Saxon Warrior, the 2,000 Guineas winner, will not be shifted from the top of the ante-post market and so O’Brien’s runners at Chester this week are realistically on trial to be second-strings at best at Epsom next month. That does not, of course, rule them out entirely, as Wings Of Eagles showed last year when he took the Classic at 40-1, but it does slightly lessen enthusiasm for a colt like Rostropovich, who is Ryan Moore’s pick from two O’Brien-trained runners in the Dee Stakes.
O’Brien has won four of the last six runnings of the Dee and has been happy to support the race with serious Derby prospects despite its relegation from Group Three status to Listed level in 2014. Cliffs Of Moher, last year’s winner of the race, was Moore’s eventual ride at Epsom and finished less than a length behind Wings Of Eagles, so Rostropovich and Kenya, O’Brien’s two runners here, deserve respect. But they face significant opposition from My Lord And Master, whose trainer William Haggas took Wednesday’s Chester Vase, and Rastrelli, who runs for Charlie Appleby’s arm of the Godolphin operation.
My Lord And Master is the early favourite, but his trainer’s success with Young Rascal on Wednesday probably plays a part in that and his bare form does not make him an obvious favourite. Rastrelli (2.25) may be a better option – though as a gelding, he is not eligible to run in the Derby – as his win at Newbury last month stopped the clock in a very decent time and his overall profile suggests he is still improving.
Amomentofmadness (1.50) was disappointing last time out when he was not able to dominate from the front, but he has the ideal draw in stall one in the five-furlong sprint that opens the card. He faces 10 opponents at present, incidentally, but there were four non-runners in Wednesday’s Lily Agnes Stakes, including the runners drawn 11, eight and seven in an 11-strong field, so it remains to be seen how many of Amomentofmadness’s opponents go to post and whether current odds of around 3-1 will be subject to a Rule 4.
Similar comments apply to Vale Of Kent (3.00), drawn three for the fiercely-competitive seven-furlong handicap and with a master of the front-running ride aboard in Joe Fanning. Chelmsford’s meeting – when Poet’s Prince (7.40) looks the best bet on the card – is the only other Flat action on offer, while jumps fans are right back in the swing with three meetings to choose from. Mab Dab (3.45) and Brinestine (1.40) should go well at Huntingdon and Worcester, respectively.
Worcester
1.40 Brinestine 2.10 Soulsaver 2.45 Exmoor Mist 3.20 Rock Of Leon
3.55 Peggies Venture 4.25 Blackdown Hills 4.55 Notnow Seamus
5.25 Catchin Time
Chester
1.50 Amomentofmadness (nb) 2.25 Rastrelli 3.00 Vale Of Kent (nap) 3.35 Idaho 4.05 Ynys Mon 4.35 Volevo Lui 5.05 Indian Chief
Huntingdon
2.00 Cosmic King 2.35 Haul Away 3.10 Go West Young Man 3.45 Mab Dab 4.15 Shining Romeo 4.45 Capitoul 5.15 Thomas Darby
Wincanton
5.20 Ringa Ding Ding 5.50 Secret Door 6.20 Tikkinthebox 6.50 Orbasa
7.20 Schnabel 7.50 King Vince 8.20 Let's Be Happy
Chelmsford
6.10 Glendevon 6.40 Qaffaal 7.10 No More Thrills 7.40 Poet's Prince
8.10 Weekender 8.40 Elgin 9.10 Zamjar
