Heffernan excited by Fame and Glory
Heffernan has won the Leopardstown event on High Chaparral, Dylan Thomas and Galileo – with all three going on to prove themselves colts of the highest order.
And after Fame And Glory extended his unbeaten run to four, comparisons are already being made to previous Ballydoyle Derby heroes.
“He did it well,” said Heffernan.
“Aidan’s (O’Brien) good ones usually improve a fair bit from their first run and he had been very happy with him and the lad who rides him out was happy with him so I was pretty confident.
“It was the plan to sit behind John Oxx’s (Mourayan) as he was the main danger and he finished second so he was the danger.
“He’s an intelligent horse, he likes travelling on the bridle so he slots in and gets into cruise control no matter what speed you are going. We were going quick but he’d probably settle going slow as well.
“He showed he was pretty fast and he’s probably something to look forward to.
“High Chaparral, Galileo and Dylan Thomas were all high-class horses and he gave me the same feel so hopefully he stays sound,” he said.
Bookmakers shortened his odds for Epsom sharply, with Ladbrokes making him their 3-1 second-favourite behind 2000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars.
Investec Derby: Ladbrokes bet: 5-2 Sea The Stars, 3-1 Fame And Glory, 5-1 Crowded House, 6-1 Gan Amhras, 10-1 Rip Van Winkle, 14-1 Black Bear Island, Kite Wood, Mourayan, 16-1 Age Of Aquarius, Masterofthehorse, 25-1 bar.
Meanwhile, Luca Cumani has offered no excuses in the aftermath of Fantasia’s eclipse in the French 1000 Guineas.
The impressive Nell Gwyn scorer could finish only third behind all-the-way winner Elusive Wave.
“Analysing the race she couldn’t have won it whatever she did. The most important thing to say is that the filly that won is very good and was given an excellent ride from the front,” said Cumani.
“The sectionals show they went very slow early on and them they sprinted three furlongs out. If they do 11 seconds a furlong from the front it is very difficult to make any ground up and she did just that.
“Given the way the race was won it was impossible to come from the back, even if you just have to come from a length behind.
“Horses have a speed limit and no matter how good you are you can’t go faster than that.”
“I think we’ll have to go back to France for the Diane. That is a different kind of race because it is at Chantilly which has a longer straight and it is a stiffer track.
“I’m pretty sure the winner won’t be there because she is off to the Coronation so it will be a different bunch of fillies and hopefully it will be run a different way,” he said.
