Dettori steals march to put Enable in frame for Epsom
ENABLE staked a decent claim for Classic honours when running out a comfortable winner of yesterday’s Cheshire Oaks.
The John Gosden-trained filly was slashed to 12/1 from 25/1 with Paddy Power for the Epsom Oaks after staying every yard of the near mile-and-a-half trip.
Frankie Dettori was at his brilliant best on the 2/1 winner as he outmanoeuvred Ryan Moore on Aidan O’Brien’s Alluringly, stealing a handy lead over two furlongs out and going on to score by a length and three-quarters.
The first two pulled nine lengths clear of Tansholpan in third. HINTED Enable had previously finished third behind stable companion and fellow Abdullah-owned filly Shutter Speed in a conditions race at Newbury.
The owner’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe hinted that Shutter Speed could switch to the French Oaks, depending on how she performs in the Musidora Stakes at York next week.
He said: “I think distance is going to be at least an issue with Shutter Speed. We’re pretty confident Enable will stay a mile and a half.
“Certainly on her pedigree there is some doubt, which is why she’s going to York (Musidora Stakes) next week. She will have the option of the Prix de Diane as well. The plan with Enable was to come here today and get her learning and educated on a track like this. For her to develop in the way she has is very pleasing.”
Montaly (16/1) grabbed the Chester Cup on the line from Yorkidding after an absence of 186 days to strike for trainer Andrew Balding.
Given a patient ride by Oisin Murphy, the six-year-old powered home in the final furlong to win by a neck, with Fun Mac third and the gambled-on Who Dares Wins fourth.
Murphy said: “It’s some job to get this horse to win this race today. You’ve got to remember he’s been off the track a long time.”
Balding’s wife Ana Lisa, who fractionally missed being kicked by the winner in the paddock before the race, said: “I’m shocked, to be honest, as we thought the ground was going to be too quick for him, but it was absolutely perfect on the day.”
Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien will attempt to maintain his stranglehold on the Chester Vase today.
The Ballydoyle trainer has won this Group Three contest over an extended mile and a half for the last four years and a record seven times in all, including with subsequent Derby hero Ruler Of The World in 2013.
Six-times Vase winner Ryan Moore takes the ride on the unexposed Venice Beach, Wayne Lordan gets the leg up on Finn McCool, Seamie Heffernan is aboard Wings Of Eagles, while Donnacha O’Brien rides The Anvil.