Tartan new Derby favourite
With former ante-post favourite New Approach unlikely to take in the Classic and Sunday’s Derrinstown trial winner Casual Conquest needing to be supplemented, the blue riband was in desperate need of the emergence of a rock-solid contender.
And emerge it did in the shape of a full brother to 2000 Guineas and King George hero Golan, who himself finished runner-up to Galileo in the 2001 Derby.
The Ballymacoll Stud-owned colt was somewhat of a shock winner, though, and returned at 10-1 in the six-runner affair which fielded a 4-6 favourite in the shape of Craven Stakes winner Twice Over.
Henry Cecil’s charge, who had been as low as 3-1 for the Derby, made up smooth headway three furlongs out but soon hung right and failed to quicken when required.
As he faltered, Frozen Fire and Tartan Bearer stretched clear.
Stoute’s charge prevailed by a head under Ryan Moore after a tough battle, with Twice Over two and a half lengths away in third.
Cashmans, Blue Square and Stan James make Tartan Bearer their new 4-1 favourite for the Derby.
Totesport have Curtain Call as their 4-1 market leader with Tartan Bearer at 5s, while Coral are 4-1, with Casual Conquest at 3-1 favouritism with a run.
Casual Conquest’s owners indicated yesterday they are prepared to pay the £75,000 (€94,000) to supplement their colt for the Vodafone Derby – should trainer Dermot Weld give his seal of approval.
Stan Cosgrove, the manager of his owners Moyglare Stud Farm, said: “He still has his options open and it’s a possibility to go to Epsom, but he’s just had the two runs and he might just be a little inexperienced.
“We’ll see how everything goes for a while.”
Meanwhile, Stoute was very happy with Tartan Bearer: “We have got three nice middle-distance colts and I was very, very pleased with this fellow – it showed just how progressive he is.
“He won maiden at Leicester in workmanlike fashion, but that is the way he is.
“He travelled really well and Ryan had to go for that split. That will have sharpened him up a bit.
“I think he goes to Epsom with a solid chance.
“If you were any more than hopeful you would be a little bit unwise but he has really progressed so well since Leicester.”
Three of the last four Derby winners have progressed from Dante success to Epsom, with Ballymacoll Stud’s North Light doing the double in 2004.
Frozen Fire’s rider Johnny Murtagh said: “He has run a great race. We always thought he had a lot of ability, but we don’t know what happened to him in his last race.
“I thought I was going to win, but Ryan just got me on the line.
“It was a mile and a quarter and his first race of the year, whereas Ryan’s horse had run before this season.”
