Benvenuto Cellini strengthened his position as Derby favorite with a crushing win at the Boodles Chester Vase.
The gorgeous chestnut, a double winner last season before taking bronze as part of the Aidan O’Brien-trained 1-2-3 in Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy, made the 2-9 favorite on his re-emergence in a race in which the Ballydoyle handler won for the 11th time with follow-up Epsom hero Lambourn 12 months ago.
With his stablemate The Proposition moving forward, Benvenuto Cellini was able to relax into midfield under Ryan Moore and move in behind the leader as he rounded the home turn. He put his head down completely and quickly went through the gears, pulling cleanly by four and a quarter lengths in impressive style.
“He’s got a beautiful pedigree and had a good showing last year, so I’m excited to run him over a mile and a half and get a fresh start,” Moore said.
“The race was a bit messy as the horse finished second, but he went fast from four (furlongs) to three and then tired a bit in the straight. He’s going to come for this and I’m very happy.”
It was the first time Moore had linked up with a winner on a racetrack, he added. “I’ve sat on him before (at home) and he’s a great colt.”
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Benvenuto Cellini improved his case for the Derby with a dazzling display from Boodles Chester Vase on the first day of the May festival, where we also saw a new Oaks favourite.
“He was a good winner against Christophe (Soumillon) at Leopardstown, but he didn’t like the bad ground at Doncaster and I thought it was a good performance because it was nice to take a penalty, which isn’t always easy.
“I’m not sure where he’ll be in the order at the moment. We’ve got a couple more horses to look at and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do before Aidan makes his plans.”
Benvenuto Cellini is 9-4 market leader for the Derby with race sponsor Betfred and is now certain to line up at Surrey Downs in a bid to replicate Lambourn.
Amelia Earhart smashed I’m The One in the Cheshire Oaks.
Amelia Earhart beat I’m The One in the Cheshire Oaks.
Amelia Earhart proved too strong for I’m The One, who handed Aidan O’Brien his 10th win in the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks.
I’m The One looked to be the next superstar filly from the Clarehaven production line when she made her winning debut at Newbury last month and she was the 6/5 favorite to cement her status as the Epsom Oaks favorite in a memorable race for the Gosden team nine years ago with the outstanding Enable.
But the market leader stumbled a little at the start and didn’t look like he was entirely enjoying the track, while Amelia Earhart, fitted with an unusual combination of hoods and blinkers, traveled sweetly the whole way, holding Ryan Moore’s hand.
Despite hanging right at the bend, I’m The One was still in the mix at the top of the straight but 13/8 shot Amelia Earhart powered home to ultimately win by a margin of two lengths.
An impressed Moore said: “We always thought she was a good mare and she is by Camelot and from a family we know well.
“A mile and a half suited her. She managed the track, managed the surface, did everything right and felt perfect the whole way. It was the perfect Epsom test.”
Adonius has Menzies dreaming of Ascot glory.
Adonius was lightning fast in the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester.
Rebecca Menzies can rightfully dream of Royal Ascot glory as follows: Adonius After watching her speedy youth exploits against her rivals in front in the CAA Stellar Lily Agnes EBF Conditions Stakes.
Purchased as a yearling for £32,000 Guineas, the Soldiers Cole colt won a landslide victory on his debut at Musselburgh in early April and returned to the Scottish track just eight days later, defying a penalty.
Conceding more than five pounds to each of his rivals over a flying five furlongs from Roodee, Adonius (100/30) was quick on his feet in the first length and most of the chasing pack struggled to keep up as he set a furious pace from the front.
Hickory Lad and 7/5 favorite Wait Geordie tried to close the gap on the home turn but the Menzies runner never looked in any danger of being caught by Kaiya Fraser and passed the post by a length and a quarter.
Menzies said: “I think he has to think about Royal Ascot now and all the tasks we have given him – he has done so much every time.
“It was difficult to know what we had, but he is very professional and quick out of the gate and Ascot is definitely on the agenda at the moment. He hasn’t done anything wrong, has he?
“I think he’s got a lot of speed and five furlongs are his trip and you can also see the National Stakes at Sandown, but I think the owners really want to go to Ascot, they’re very passionate and a win today would mean the world to them.
“The offer came in and he could easily figure out the new postcode, so fair play to them for letting me keep him, but they let me roll the dice.”
