AIDAN O’BRIEN won four Investec Derby trials last week and can add to what is already a strong hand by saddling Indian Chief to victory in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York.
Unlike stablemate and longtime Derby contender Battle Of Marengo, this one has been a little under the radar thus far but anyone who saw his Leopardstown maiden win will be in little doubt he has huge potential.
He looked to quicken twice that day and, encouragingly, the well-beaten runner-up has come out to win since.
His one defeat last year was full of encouragement, too, as he was second to subsequent Group One winner Loch Garman, who chased Derby secondfavourite Battle Of Marengo home at the weekend in the Derrinstown Trial.
The son of Montjeu would not be at all inconvenienced if some of the squally showers in the region of late were to linger over the Knavesmire and has the advantage of race-fitness on his side.
Preference in the Betfred Middleton Stakesis for French raider Dalkala to give weight all round to one or two useful fillies.
A Group Two winner last season, beating Oaks second Shirocco Star at Longchamp, Alain de Royer-Dupre’s charge made an encouraging four-year-old return at the same track last month, staying-on to be fourth.
She has 3lb or more in hand of each of her rivals on the official ratings and that could prove crucial as the trainer is not convinced she will be on her A game after a bad journey to Britain.
Judge ’N Jury won the Betfred Mobile Sports Stakes last season and it would be no surprise to see him give another good account at hopefully eachway odds.
The Ron Harris-trained gelding is not getting any younger but very rarely runs a bad race on the Knavesmire.
He is 12lb higher than last year but only 6lb higher than when returning here last June to win again.
Dream Wild races off a mark of 80 in the Bathwick Tyres British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Salisbury and it be a surprise if she does not prove to be a good deal better than that.
Making her debut at Lingfield last month over a mile, she won with ease, looking better the further she went, as befits her breeding.
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