Content provided in partnership with
O'Brien's Sail sets a course for Epsom
Independent, The (London), May 8, 2008 by Chris McGrath
Not so much a racecourse as an erogenous zone, the giddy green oval of the Roodeye yesterday renewed its ancient, pagan spell. The horses went spinning round and round, as they have for the past 497 years, and by the time the sun had faded from a vintage May afternoon, the same seemed true of many heads and heels. Truly this remains a solstice of the modern racing calendar. And while such a stylish pageant scarcely needs to justify itself with substance, in any sober judgement it certainly seems to be renewing its claims as the place to bring a Classic thoroughbred.
- Most Popular Articles in News
- The Ten Best Laptop bags
- Tata plans cheapest-ever car for Indian market
- GLOBALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT OF THE THIRD WORLD
- Corn is good for you; Corn is not only a tasty treat, but also a cereal that ...
- THE 50 BEST STYLISH HANDBAGS TO CARRY
- More »
Last year anyone who cared to look past the frocks and fizz was able to watch both Light Shift and Soldier Of Fortune sketching out subsequent Classic masterpieces, one completed at Epsom, the other at the Curragh. And nobody should rule out something similar from the horses whose names are carved beneath theirs, this time round.
Not so long ago, of course, the Classic trials here had lost so much prestige that there was heretical talk about their future, but all that has been stifled since they came to the attention of Aidan O'Brien. Not that he comes here in person; we may never know how his ascetic instincts might cope with the seductions of Chester. But the Ballydoyle trainer has come to recognise that its tight turns provide an ideal education for an inexperienced three-year-old, not least when he has Epsom in mind.
Yesterday he sent a filly named Sail over from Co Tipperary to win her first race in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks; and today is the turn of Vivaldi to measure his own Classic eligibility in the Bank Of America Chester Vase, the race O'Brien won last year with Soldier Of Fortune.
Vivaldi, a colt by Montjeu, disappeared after winning a maiden at Gowran Park last summer, but has apparently looked a potential Derby colt since his return to the gallops. It is just about feasible to question his stamina for an extra half-mile today, however, not least with some of his stablemates needing the run so far this season.
A couple of his rivals, moreover, excelled at the Craven meeting. Pampas Cat's debut success was bolstered here yesterday by Daraahem, who had been whacked five lengths at Newmarket. But it is more arresting that Sir Michael Stoute is prepared to forfeit valuable handicap options with Doctor Fremantle. Pulled a long way clear on his reappearance by another well treated colt, this son of Sadler's Wells seems guaranteed to improve for today's extra two furlongs.
The ageing king of stallions certainly seems to have another Classic prospect in Sail, who had been beaten in a Leopardstown maiden last month. In common with so many Ballydoyle horses, she derived great benefit from that - in both physical and mental terms - and was heavily backed yesterday.
Though Sugar Mint stole a march on her into the short straight, Sail was soon really billowing under Johnny Murtagh and was able to impose herself firmly in the limited time available. Guaranteed to improve again, not least for the extra distance, she has solid claims in the Juddmonte Oaks, albeit some bookmakers instead treated her performance as a signpost to Moonstone, ostensibly her superior at home. Be that as it may, a quote of 16-1 from Ladbrokes seemed rather generous.
As Murtagh acknowledged, Sail is the clubhouse leader. "But we have a busy couple of weeks ahead with all the other trials," the new stable jockey cautioned. "She improved from her maiden, and if she can improve again from her trial she would go to Epsom with a shout. She has speed, stays and would suit the track. She's a little bit timid but will have learned a lot there."
For a fleeting moment Murtagh must have thought he was going to add the week's most venerable race, the Totesport Chester Cup, when Tilt led inside the final furlong. But his mount was squeezed up into third as Bulwark, now in the care of Ian Williams, finally delivered the knockout blow he has always held back in defence of a notorious glass jaw.
Bulwark was ridden with commendable restraint by Jim Crowley, who let him find his own way into the race and resisted the temptation to go for the whip as his mount began to pick them off. "He's always had ability but today everything fell into place," Crowley said. "I wanted to be a bit handy but they went very quick and the one thing you can't do is bully this horse. He is quirky, he ducks left and right, but he has more ability than he lets on. He needs covering up, in fact he's one of those who can't get into enough trouble."
Judging from the gaudy, cheerful flock swaying back up the cobbled lanes, in that respect Bulwark was by no means alone.
OAKS (6 June) William Hill: 7-2 Zarkava (doubtful), 6-1 Chinese White, Listen (doubtful), 7-1 Dar Re Mi, 8-1 Katiyra (from 10-1), Moonstone (from 20-1), 10-1 Cape Amber, Kitty Matcham, 12-1 Lush Lashes, 14-1 Gagnoa, Sail (from 66-1), 16-1 Marjalina, 20-1 Adored, Laughter (from 14-1), Mad About You, Screen Star, Sugar Mint (from 25-1), 25-1 others.
