Aqaleem fuels Derby dream
Marcus Tregoning can still dream of back-to-back victories in the Vodafone Derby after Aqaleem emerged as a possible for the Epsom Classic.
The Lambourn trainer had virtually shut down his stable for the previous two months due to a bout of coughing but this lightly-raced colt got the show on the road again with a four-length romp.
It is nine years since High-Rise graduated from the totesport Derby Trial Stakes to taste success at Epsom, but Aqaleem may have earned the chance to follow suit.
Tregoning, who saddled Sir Percy to Derby glory last June, said: “We hadn’t had a runner for two months until Friday and I know that one didn’t run very well, but this horse has always shown us great potential.
“There is no comparison with him and Sir Percy. Sir Percy was a crack two-year-old and was honed for the 2000 Guineas, whereas he is unexposed.
“I don’t like aiming inexperienced horses at the Derby. That was only his third run and he is still inexperienced.
“I will watch what happens at York and make a decision about Epsom after having a long think and a talk.”
Ralph Beckett was left pondering whether to pay the £20,000 (€29,200) required to supplement Kayah for Epsom Classic success after she maintained her unbeaten record in the totepool.com Oaks Trial.
The 20-1 shot landed a maiden last autumn on her only other start and stepped up to win by three-quarters of a length.
Beckett said: “You couldn’t tell much from what she does at home and I didn’t enter in the Oaks or the Ribblesdale as I didn’t think she was up to it.
“I will have to talk to my owner about supplementing her for the Oaks, but you would have to consider it.”
John Quinn was laid low with flu at home and missed seeing first-hand Leslingtaylor’s victory in the Betfred Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock.
However, the Malton trainer’s preparation paid off as the 16-1 shot made his Flat speed count on the long run to the line.
What the five-year-old lacked in experience he more than made up in guts as he led close home in a bunch finish to see off French Saulaie by a length and a half.
Winning rider Dougie Costello said: “I knew Charlie Swan’s horse (Emmpat) was in front of me and he’d won his last two races, but had gone up 21lb since he beat my horse at Fairyhouse when nothing went right for us.
“I felt if I could just track him and stay with him up to the long run-in, he would have a chance and the loose horse helped him.”
Munaddam took the feature Flat race on a mixed card when landing a cosy win in the Betfredpoker Spring Trophy.
The five-year-old was returning after a successful campaign in Dubai and is now set to tackle stronger company.
“He’s entered in the Golden Jubilee and the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, but he gets the seven well and he might get a mile,” said trainer Ed Dunlop’s assistant, Matt Cumani.
Australian jockeys Kerrin McEvoy and Hugh Bowman took the riding honours at Ascot.
Recent arrival Bowman landed the main race, the totesport.com Victoria Cup, aboard the Alan Jarvis-trained Wise Dennis.
“What can I say, it’s a privilege to ride here,” said Bowman. “The horse has got gears and I just had to get him settled, put him right and he did it for me.”
Bowman made it a double on Mick Channon’s Yem Kinn in the McGee Group Maiden Stakes.
McEvoy completed a brace on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Mountain High and Heaven Sent.
Heaven Sent could step up in class after taking the John Doyle Fillies’ Heritage Handicap.
Owner Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director Chris Richardson said: “I think she’ll step up to Stakes class – Listed or Group Threes – now.”
On a Classic Sunday at Longchamp, Finsceal Beo failed to follow up her 1000 Guineas success in the French equivalent when she was denied by Alain de Royer-Dupre’s Darjina.
Finsceal Beo’s trainer Jim Bolger also had to settle for second place in the French 2000 Guineas behind Astronomer Royal.
His trainer Aidan O’Brien also saddled the first three in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown but not in the anticipated order.
Archipenko took the spoils from Yellowstone with the odds-on Macarthur only third.
