Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes |
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| Listed, Chester 15:05 £100,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 2f 70y, Class 1  |
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1 Capulet 7/2
2
Bracken's Laugh 11/2
3
Jayarebe 7/4F
4 ran NR: Harper's Ferry Distances: ½l, 3¼l, 2¼l
Time: 2m 10.67s (slow by 2.27s)
An 11th Dee Stakes in the bag for Aidan O’Brien with Capulet 🤩
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) May 9, 2024
pic.twitter.com/BobTz1M05e
Capulet, trained by Aidan O’Brien, delivered a front-running victory at Chester. The Ballydoyle handler now has several contenders to choose from for the prestigious Epsom Derby on June 1. Despite City Of Troy’s disappointing performance in the 2000 Guineas, he remains a strong candidate. Other potential Derby runners include Henry Longfellow, Diego Velazquez, and Los Angeles.
Capulet’s performance was impressive, as he provided O’Brien with a joint-record 11th win in this trial on the Roodee. Jockey Ryan Moore executed a well-judged ride from the front, gradually increasing the tempo. Capulet held off the challenge from Jayarebe, the 7-4 favorite, to secure victory by half a length.
Bracken’s Laugh, trained by Richard Hughes, had previously beaten Capulet in a valuable conditions race at Chelmsford. However, Capulet’s determined front-running style ensured he crossed the line first this time. The step up in trip seemed to suit him well, and he is now considered a serious contender for the Epsom Derby.
Paul Smith, son of co-owner Derrick Smith, said: “That was very pleasing and I thought Ryan gave him a lovely ride.
“He appreciated the step up in trip, no doubt, he’s an uncomplicated horse, he travels well so I suppose it will be the French Derby or the English Derby.
“We know he gets 10 furlongs well and he’d probably get a mile and a half the way he runs so we’re delighted with him.
“We have the trials at the weekend and next week and Aidan will sit down with the lads and discuss the plan from there.
“He’s a Justify so it’s nice to see, we’re very pleased. Ryan was delighted, he said it was very uncomplicated, he got him into a nice rhythm, he’s a kind horse and stepping up in trip wouldn’t be a problem.
“He turned the form around with the second, but I think he really appreciated the step up in trip there.”
Capulet is now as short as 14-1 for Epsom – but support continues to come in for City Of Troy, who is back as favourite with some firms.
Smith said: “Aidan is happy with him and all roads now lead to the Derby with him.”
Back to Capulet, Moore said: “He was nicely drawn, there were only the four runners and he got into a nice rhythm and was able to build away. I was very happy with him, he came forward nicely from Chelmsford and the step up in trip has helped him.
“He’s a horse who had good form last year and with a bit of luck he’ll go on from here and improve again. I think the nicer ground and 10 furlongs suited him well, so there’ll be plenty of options for him now.”
Boodles Dee Stakes (Listed)
£100,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 2f 70y, Class 1
4 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (2) Capulet 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 7/2
2 (3) ½ Bracken's Laugh 3 9-2 Richard Hughes Finley Marsh 11/2
3 (5) 3¼ Jayarebe 3 9-5 Brian Meehan Sean Levey 7/4F
4 (1) 2¼ God's Window 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark 100/30
NR 5 (4) Harper's Ferry 3 9-2 Ed Walker NON RUNNER
