Bend to be campaigned over a mile
Dermot Weld's Sagitta 2000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend, will be campaigned over a mile for the rest of the season after finishing only 13th in the Vodafone Derby.
The Sadler’s Wells colt was some 16 lengths behind the winner Kris Kin and trainer Dermot Weld is now planning to give his charge a break before tackling a number of major mile races later in the year.
He said: “Obviously he’s a miler. He didn’t come down the hill too well and Pat Smullen, who had him perfectly positioned, was not too hard on him.
“The horse is perfect and will have a total break to freshen him up for a campaign over a mile later on that will take in the Prix Jacques le Marois (August 17), the Prix du Moulin (September 7) and the Breeders’ Cup Mile (October 25).”
Kris Kin’s plans remain undecided with options for the colt’s next outing including the Budweiser Irish Derby (June 29), the Coral-Eclipse (July 5) and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (July 26).
If Kris Kin tackles the Irish Derby, he could face a rematch with the Epsom second and third The Great Gatsby and Alamshar.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien described The Great Gatsby as “a horse for the Irish Derby”, while Alamshar’s handler John Oxx is keen to go for the Curragh race.
He expects his colt to improve on his Derby run, where he finished only a length and a short head behind Kris Kin.
However, no decision has been made and owner the Aga Khan has another option for Ireland in the brilliant unbeaten winner of the French Derby, Dalakhani.
Oxx, speaking at the Curragh, said: “Alamshar is fresh and well. Coming here for the Budweiser Derby would be the obvious route, but there are other considerations. We will have to sit down and thrash it out.
“The horse came home well and hit the line running strongly, pulling up in front.”
Oxx indicated that the ground at the Curragh would be an influence on whether his colt runs in the Irish Derby, with the preference for “proper good to firm ground”.
O’Brien, who ran four horses in the Derby, said of the disappointing Brian Boru, who finished 16th: “It was too bad to be true. In an ideal world he could have had a better preparation.
“Michael (Kinane) said it was a big shock for the horse with the track and everything else on the day.”
He added that Balestrini (fifth) did not stay and would be dropped back to 10 furlongs, while Alberto Giacometti (12th) would be dropped back “even further”.
If Kris Kin were to run at either Sandown or Ascot, he could clash again with the Derby fourth Norse Dancer, who is being aimed at one of the two big midsummer prizes.
Norse Dancer made up a tremendous amount of ground, coming from last turning for home to get within two lengths of Kris Kin in the premier Classic.
“For a horse of that class, one would be looking at the Eclipse or possibly the King George,” trainer David Elsworth said.
