Hi all,
It wasn’t the highest class of racing on Saturday, but it made for an interesting watch—especially if you managed to back a winner or two. The Classic trials lacked depth but still offered clues for what’s to come.
The ground at Lingfield was genuinely quick, with field sizes suffering as a result. Due to Environment Agency restrictions, the track couldn’t water during April. Still, it was refreshing to see proper fast ground and the horses seemed to handle it with no issues.
Aidan O’Brien’s grip on the Classic trials tightened further, as he landed both the Derby and Oaks Trials with Puppet Master and Giselle. That completed a clean sweep for Ballydoyle across Chester and Lingfield last week.
Lingfield Classic Trials Day
Giselle, a well-made daughter of Frankel, was much too good for just two rivals in the Lingfield Oaks Trial. She did everything expected of her, winning comfortably. The race probably didn’t tell us much new, though although she’s a filly with plenty of ability. She’ll need to settle better if she’s to stay the Oaks trip at Epsom.
The Lingfield Derby Trial was more competitive. It turned into a private duel between stablemates Puppet Master and Stay True, with the former just edging it. You can rewatch the Lingfield Derby Trial here.
Richard Kingscote came in for criticism on social media for his ride on Stay True, who was beaten a short head. A more forceful finish might have reversed the result, and you’d have to think Stay True—who isn’t yet entered for the Derby—could get the better of Puppet Master next time.
Puppet Master added to O’Brien’s wins with Lambourn in the Chester Vase, Mount Kilimanjaro in the Dee Stakes, and Swagman in the Sandown Classic Trial as he continues to dominate the Derby Trials.
Meanwhile, Giselle followed up Minnie Hauk’s victory in Wednesday’s Cheshire Oaks. And if that wasn’t enough, Garden of Eden won another Oaks Trial at Naas on Saturday. She improved for the step up to 1m2f, it was a probably a weak race and she doesn’t hold an Oaks entry.
Chester Classic Trials Recap
Chester’s ground was officially good, but that was after plenty of watering. Now, unless I’m mistaken, BHA guidelines state tracks should aim to maintain good to firm—not water down to good. It feels like some courses are doing as they please, and that’s frustrating for punters who rely on consistency.
On the track, Lambourn improved for the step up to 1m4f in the Chester Vase. A son of Australia, he looks the type to stay well and could run into a place in the Derby. He lacks that top-end class, but you wouldn’t rule him out of running a big race at Epsom.
Mount Kilimanjaro was back to form in the Dee Stakes. A progressive juvenile, he was disappointing at Dundalk on return but relished the extra trip at Chester. His late burst to win in the final 50 yards showed real promise. He looks sure to stay 1m4f but retains enough pace that the French Derby could be a more natural target.
Minnie Hauk was professional and looked an uncomplicated ride in the Cheshire Oaks. The Frankel filly has the physical scope to improve again. Her form is a notch below true Classic standard for now, but she should progress with racing and could take her chance in the Oaks.
It will no doubt prove instructive as to which filly Ryan Moore goes for on the day. Of the fillies that raced last week I just prefer Giselle over Minnie Hauk.
Delacroix lays down a Derby marker
Delacroix, a good winner of the Ballysax Stakes winner on his return, faced just four rivals in Sunday’s Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown. Sent off long odds-on, the Dubawi colt had the best form on offer and race fitness in his favour.
His stablemate Rock Of Cashel set a steady gallop, with Delacroix always poised just behind. When jockey Wayne Lordan asked the question, the favourite quickened smartly and put the race to bed in a matter of strides. It was a decisive and classy success.
Runner-up Purview caught the eye. Making just his second start, he tried to challenge out wide but was never in the right place once Delacroix kicked. That run will have thrilled Dermot Weld, and he’s one to keep on side going forward.
As for Delacroix, Epsom or the French Derby now beckons. On this evidence, he has the class and gears to be a major player in either. Of all last week’s Classic trial winners, none were more impressive.
It capped another dominant week for Aidan O’Brien, who now has all bases covered heading towards the Derby —and we’ve yet to see Lion In Winter, who makes his return in Thursday’s Dante.
Monday Racing
It’s the second day of Killarney’s May Meeting, with a competitive jumps card on offer. Closer to home, Windsor stages the most valuable race of the day—the Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier (6:33), worth over £18,000.
The Fitzdares Sprint Series is a smart initiative. It delivers solid prize money and strong fields across ten qualifiers, all leading to the series final in August.
Windsor – 6:33: Fitzdares Sprint Series Qualifier (Class 3) – 6f
Regal Envoy came on for his Bath reappearance to win at Newmarket (5f) last month. He’s well suited to quick ground and a 4lb rise may not stop him following up. William Knight has a good record with last-time-out winners (15-52, 29%, +£23.21), and Oisin Murphy—5-11 (+£14.25) when riding for the trainer—keeps the ride.
Havanagreattime posted a career-best RPR when winning at Newbury. He’s up 3lb but clearly in form and shouldn’t be far away.
Top weight Aramis Grey ran a cracker when second at Newcastle (7f) on All-Weather Finals Day. She’s ultra-consistent, placed in last year’s series final and fourth in the Ayr Gold Cup. Her losing run stretches back to February 2023 though, but I expect her to go well from stall 4.
Buccabay lost form late last season but is just 1lb above his last win and has gone well fresh before.
Trefor is 2-3 over course and distance and shaped well when fifth in last year’s final. He likely needed the run at Newmarket last month and should strip fitter here.
In tomorrow’s column, I’ll wrap up the weekend’s action with a look at Sunday’s French Guineas and a few eyecatchers from Chester.
York’s three-day Dante Festival begins on Wednesday—racing returns to the best course in Britain.
Good luck with your Monday bets,
John
Great reading as allways thanks John
I was just listening to a podcast re the Zarigana incident yesterday.
Unsurprisingly 82% of British fans think that the result should have remained as they finished in the race.
Being in the 18% group (no monetary reason) I was then pleased to hear that both Kevin Blake and Brendan Duke, agreed that the correct decision was made.
However, Blakey made the statement that whilst MB dropped his whip on the fav, it would have been irrelevent to the stewards decision.
Whist I accept that this is possibly very true, I’m not sure that I agree with it.
When She’s Perfect started to drift, there was enough room for MB to have his whip in his right hand as he began his challenge. When Exactly was forced to veer into Zarigana however, the whip couldn’t be used and the jockey was forced to swap hands and a couple of strides later, he lost it.
Isn’t there a case, that without the interference, MB would not have had to change hands and would therefore not have dropped the pro cush and would have won fair and square?
2 other (personal opinions) things;
Zarigana’s trainer is obviously brilliant at what he does, however he has stated, for the second time, that he is not convinced that his filly needs a step up in trip?
I don’t get that all, as to me, she has been crying out to go further since her 2yo defeat…am I wrong?
Secondly, I’d put Mr Guyon on board in the future. MB has nearly gotten Zarigana beaten 3 times now though exagerated waiting tactics..time to get him to move over me thinks.