Fallon hails ‘superstar’ Washington
Fallon partnered the Aidan O’Brien-trained three-year-old, as low as 2-1 with Ladbrokes for the first Classic of the season on May 6, in a work-out at Leopardstown and was delighted with the outcome.
“George Washington has done very well both physically and mentally over the close season,” said Fallon. “He worked with a bunch of stablemates recently and I was very happy with him.
“Without a doubt he is the best two-year-old I have ever ridden and we obviously have high hopes for him carrying on this year - he’s a real superstar,” Fallon said.
Meanwhile Ante-post favourite Horatio Nelson and Marcus Tregoning’s Sir Percy top 136 entries for the 2006 Vodafone Derby on June 3.
The former, who is part of a strong Aidan O’Brien-trained contingent, is as low as 9-2 with VC Bet for the Epsom Classic after being beaten just once as a juvenile.
Sir Percy inflicted that defeat in the Dewhurst Stakes to finish the season with a 100% record in his four starts. He is 10-1 with the same firm for the Derby.
Although the majority of the leading fancies have stood their ground, one notable absentee is the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Greek Well, who had been well-backed in the winter months - despite not having run last year.
However, Stoute withdraw the 2003 Derby winner Kris Kin at the corresponding stage three years ago before supplementing the colt back in after his win in the Dee Stakes at Chester. Stoute is still represented by seven other colts, headed by the Michael Tabor-owned City Of Troy, while O’Brien has a total of 19 entries. Godolphin still have 24 possibles at this stage with recent recruit Stepping Up and Haasem, an unraced half-brother to the top-class Sakhee, among the list of possibles.
Rumplestiltskin, last year’s top juvenile filly, heads 84 contenders for the Vodafone Oaks at the latest forfeit stage.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge was beaten just once in six starts last season, notching Group One wins in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Prix Marcel Boussac.
The Ballydoyle handler also has Chenchikova, a sister to 2002 Derby winner High Chaparral, and Fillies’ Mile runner-up Alexandrova among his nine possibles.
Godolphin will be trying for a third success in the 12-furlong race after Balanchine (1994), Moonshell (1995) and Kazzia (2002). Moreover, it is recent recruit Silca’s Sister who tops their 12 entries.
The Inchinor filly was snapped up by Godolphin after her victory in the Group One Prix Morny and has since been wintering in Dubai.
Cheveley Park Stud also look to have a strong hand in the Epsom Classic with four-time winner Confidential Lady and Nannina representing Sir Mark Prescott and John Gosden respectively.
Sir Michael Stoute has six fillies engaged, while the Ed Dunlop-trained Cross Channel, Michael Jarvis’ Jewaar and Henry Cecil’s Novellara are other eyecatching entries.
nAccordion Etoile could take his chance in the John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree following his Cheltenham Festival spill last week.
Paul Nolan’s seven-year-old came to grief at the eighth fence in the Arkle Trophy Chase but the County Wexford handler thought the fall looked worse than it actually was.
Nolan is now considering targets at Aintree and Punchestown for his stable star, who is in good form after his tumble.
“We were all afraid when we saw the fall but he’s absolutely fine and there is not a hair out of place,” said Nolan. “He’s been ridden out since and he seems 100%.
“We haven’t made our minds up with regards to the rest of the season yet, it all depends on the ground.
“We’d have to have Aintree in mind if it came up good because if we decided to wait for Punchestown, you don’t know how the ground would come up.
“At this stage of the season you just have to take a chance on what the ground is going to be and take it from there.
“Last year at Aintree he had gone over the top as we had to rush his preparation for the Champion Hurdle to get him right which took a lot out of him but that won’t be the case this year.”
