Boodles Chester Vase |
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| Group 3, Chester 15:05 £140,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 4f 63y, Class 1 |
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Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini could follow a familiar and successful Ballydoyle route to Epsom, with Aidan O’Brien indicating the colt may line up here.
The son of Frankel, currently a general 6-1 chance for the premier Classic, built a solid juvenile profile, winning twice from four starts, including the Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown, before finishing third in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on his final outing.
Initial plans had centred on the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom as his stepping stone towards the Derby, but disruption to that meeting has prompted a rethink, with Chester now emerging as the more likely option.
The Roodee has proved a productive pathway in the past, most recently with Lambourn, who followed victory in the Chester Vase with Classic success at Epsom last season, while O’Brien also completed the same double with Ruler Of The World in 2013.
“Benvenuto Cellini might go to the Chester Vase on the way to Epsom,” said O’Brien.
“He’s done very well. We’re very happy with him – he’s a lovely, slick-moving horse. He was going to go to Epsom but, obviously, that has been put back a week now and that might mean that we go to Chester instead.”
Chester’s tight, turning track presents a very different test to Epsom, but its emphasis on balance and tactical positioning has often served as a useful precursor to the demands of the Derby.
With preparations now entering a more defined phase, Benvenuto Cellini’s route may have altered slightly, but his position towards the head of the market reflects a profile that remains both progressive and full of potential.
Boodles Chester Vase 2025 (Group 3)
£140,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 4f 63y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (7) Lambourn 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 11/8F
2 (4) 1½ Lazy Griff 3 9-2 Charlie Johnston Joe Fanning 25/1
3 (3) 2 Convergent 3 9-2 K R Burke Sam James 9/2
4 (1) 6½ Pinhole 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 9/2
5 (8) ½ Furthur 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Jason Watson 16/1
6 (2) 5 Thrice b 3 9-2 A P O'Brien William Buick 13/2
7 (6) hd Faire La Nouba 3 9-2 John F O'Neill Dougie Costello 250/1
8 (5) ¾ Square D'Alboni 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 15/2
