Refuse To Bend on slide after negative gallop vibes
Cashmans reacted by pushing Refuse To Bend out to 3/1 (from 5/2) and sharing favouritism with Brian Boru (in from 7/2). The Cork firm also report support for Alamshar, 7/2 from 4/1.
Paddy Power have Brian Boru on 3-1 with Refuse To Bend at 100-30.
Ladbrokes reacted by pushing Refuse To Bend’s odds out to 7-2 from 11-4, with Brian Boru their new 3-1 favourite from 4-1. Coral go 3-1 the pair, while William Hill have promoted Brian Boru to 11-4 from 7-2, with Refuse To Bend out to 100-30.
After yesterday’s exercise Weld said: “He had a nice, brisk workout over nine furlongs with three stable companions. He worked satisfactorily and I’m satisfied he’s forward enough to go to Epsom.
“You wouldn’t be over-excited but knowing the horse, I’m satisfied with his progress.
“He’s never impressive in his work as he is laid back. He finished in front but he only wins his races narrowly and it’s the same with his work.
“Hopefully all goes well over the next eight days. He’ll have another spin on Tuesday morning, but I wouldn’t want the ground too fast at Epsom.”
Alamshar worked “nicely” at the Curragh as he continued his preparation for the premier Classic.
The colt is set to represent the Derby-winning team of owner the Aga Khan, trainer John Oxx and jockey Johnny Murtagh, associated with Sinndar three years ago.
“The horse worked nicely over a mile with a few companions at the Curragh,” Oxx said.
“Everything went according to plan and he’ll do a bit again on Tuesday morning, but not as fast as he went today.”
Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute gave his Derby hope Kris Kin, who is due to be supplemented for the race at a cost of £90,000 on Monday, a day at at his local track.
The Dee Stakes winner walked around the Rowley Mile parade ring between the second and third races in a bid to get the colt more accustomed to a racecourse situation.
Stoute told attheraces: “He’s relaxed very well. I let the jockey ride him round here because up at Doncaster on his second two-year-old start and at Chester when the jockey got on him he just fretted a bit and got a bit toey. But I was happy with him today.
“He doesn’t do a lot at home and doesn’t show us too much, but Chester was pleasing. He seems well in himself.”
Eight days before the great race the going at Epsom was officially described as good, good to firm in places, with watering taking place.
Meanwhile, trainer Alain de Royer Dupre reports Dalakhani “in top order” ahead of the colt’s bid to keep his unbeaten record in the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly tomorrow.
Dalakhani will face just six rivals, including his pacemaker, after the overnight defection of Aidan O’Brien’s pair Alberto Giacometti and Balestrini.
De Royer Dupre said: “The horse is in top order. His preparation has gone according to plan, and now we need everything to go smoothly until the big day.
“We’re using a leader (pacemaker), Diyapour, like we did in the Prix Lupin, so that Dalakhani can get into a good rhythm during the race.”
The Aga Khan’s colt, who will be ridden by regular partner Christophe Soumillon, will be a hot favourite. He has won two major prep races this term including the Lupin last time out.
Thierry Jarnet rides Diyapour, while Frankie Dettori will be on the Sheikh Mohammed-owned Papineau for Andre Fabre.
Completing the line-up are Super Celebre (Dominique Boeuf), Coroner (Stephane Pasquier), Victory Taita and Touch Of Land (Olivier Peslier).
Main danger to Dalakhani could be Ecurie Wildenstein’s Super Celebre, although he was a clear second-best in the Lupin, having previously won the Prix Noailles.
Trainer Elie Lellouche, talking about the Lupin, said: “The pace wasn’t quick enough for him.
“And when Dalakhani accelerated into the lead, Super Celebre was lying sixth and couldn’t make up the lost ground. He’s better than ever, the extra distance won’t trouble him, and we’re hoping to gain our revenge.”
Papineau is a progressive type. He won in Listed company last time, and there could be better to come.
Coroner, the Noailles second, has since boosted that form by landing the Prix Hocquart, albeit narrowly from the supplemented Touch Of Land.
Victory Taita appears to have it to do.
