Bruised foot forces Agent to miss Dee date
The Derby hope had been set to put his Classic credentials on the line in the Group Three contest over 10 and a half furlongs but when the blacksmith was putting his plates on yesterday morning it was discovered that he had a bruised foot and was withdrawn from today’s race.
Free Agent's absence reduces the field to seven, including one challenger from Ireland, Drumbeat.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt ended his juvenile campaign finishing second to his highly-rated stablemate Fame And Glory in a Group One at Saint-Cloud.
And he also had to be content with second spot behind Redwood in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on his reappearance.
“He ran really well at Newmarket last month and he has a lot of ability,” said his jockey Johnny Murtagh.
“I think Chester will suit him as he is a handy horse and is sharp.”
Redwood was taken out of this race at the final declaration stage leaving his trainer Barry Hills to be represented by Devotion To Duty.
He side-stepped a competitive maiden won by Harbinger at Chester on Wednesday to wait for this race, which his Hills has won no less than nine times.
“He’s a horse we’ve always liked and he’s a nice, scopey horse,” said Hills’ son and assistant, Charlie.
“He’s still improving and he shaped well when fourth in a maiden at Newmarket on his first run of the year.”
Libel Law showed he had trained on by opening his account in a maiden at Windsor last month and his trainer Michael Jarvis is hoping to learn more about him tomorrow.
“He won his maiden well. He’s a nice horse, not very big. He should act round the track,” said the Newmarket handler.
“It’s very much a finding-out mission to see where we go.”
Gitano Hernando meanwhile steps up to Pattern company after winning a handicap in good style at Doncaster six weeks ago.
Dee Stakes - Cashmans bet
7/4 Drumbeat, 3 Big Bound, 11/2 Libel Law, 6/1 Gitano Hernando, 8/1 Devotion To Duty, 10/1 South Easter, 14/1 Deposer
