RASCAL KNUCKLES DOWN
WILLIAM Haggas had a nightmare four-hour journey to Chester but it was worth the pain as he watched Young Rascal emerge as a genuine Epsom Derby hope.
The strapping colt did well to win the MBNA Chester Vase after hitting trouble in running before repelling the challenge of Dee Ex Bee.
The trainer, who won the Derby with Shaamit in 1996, said: “A few things went against him, so he did well. He is fully entitled to have a shot at Epsom.
“He was a slow learner at two and they have got to learn. Here they have people on both sides of the track, plus it is not a straightforward track, especially for a green horse and he managed to overcome all those things.”
Young Rascal is owned by Bernard Kantor, managing director of Investec who again sponsor the Epsom Classic on June 2.
Haggas added: “It took me nearly four hours to get here from Newmarket and it was a painful journey. But it will be a slightly less painful trip home. The owner has always wanted to have a runner in the Derby and this one will have half a chance.”
Magic Wand cast her spell on top jockey Ryan Moore with a smooth victory in the Cheshire Oaks yesterday. Moore was hugely impressed by the
E1.4million daughter of Galileo after steering her to a comfortable success on just her third run.
It was Aidan O’Brien’s sixth victory in the race and Magic Wand was cut to 12-1 for the Epsom Oaks by Ladbrokes. She is 14-1 with Coral and Paddy Power.