O’BRIEN CLASS ACT
AIDAN O’BRIEN further strengthened his Classic hand as Whitecliffsofdover dominated his rivals in the bet365 European Free Handicap at Newmarket.
Not for the first time the Ballydoyle handler appears to have a wealth of talent in the three-year-old division with red-hot Qipco 2000 Guineas favourite Churchill ably supported by the likes of Caravaggio and today’s Craven contender War Decree.
Whitecliffsofdover, who showed his talent when third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Chantilly last October, does not hold an entry at Headquarters on the first weekend in May but looks to have booked himself a shot at Classic glory, either at home or abroad, after an impressive frontrunning display.
The 100-30 chance was always in control at the head of affairs under Ryan Moore and comfortably stretched two and three-quarter lengths clear of Rodaini, with 5-2 favourite Seven Heavens back in third.
William Hill make Whitecliffsofdover a 20-1 shot for the Guineas at Newmarket, for which he would have to be supplemented on May 1.
Co-owner Michael Tabor said: “He was very impressive. I would suppose now, with that run under him, he’d go for either the French or the English Guineas, one of those two races.”
Coolmore’s UK representative, Kevin Buckley, said: “Ryan was very positive with his comments. He is not in the Guineas here. We will get him home and Aidan will have to discuss with the owners to see what they want to do next.
“I know that was over seven but I don’t envisage going back up to a mile will be a problem.”
Steel Of Madrid caused a minor upset when getting up late to land the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes.
Making his first competitive start since October in this ninefurlong Group Three, Richard Hannon’s charge was a 10-1 shot and jockey Pat Dobbs cut a confident figure in the saddle throughout.
Folkswood, the 5-2 favourite, set out to make all, but Steel Of Madrid wore him down and won the argument by half a length.
Daban finished with a flourish to emerge victorious in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket.
Representing trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori, the Acclamation filly was a 12-1 shot having won on her only previous start at Kempton last November.