Snow of strength
AFTER Snowfall blew away her rivals in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, her trainer Aidan O’Brien suggested there is further improvement to come from his exceptional filly.
If that is the case the opposition might as well not bother with their boarding passes for Paris in October when she runs in the Arc de Triomphe.
“She’s starting to thrive and is starting to put on weight,” said O’Brien. “She’s going to be ready for the autumn.
“You can see her doing well physically and her weight is going up so you could see her doing well.We’ll be looking forward to her for the autumn.”
All bookmakers slashed the dual Oaks winner’s odds for the Longchamp showpiece. Paddy Power offer 5-2, from 7-2, and Ladbrokes go 9-4 from 7-2.
Wonderful Tonight, the fourth home, was very much an also-ran in yesterday’s contest that O’Brien has now won six times.
An indication of Wonderful Tonight’s below par performance was highlighted by Albaflora, whom she had previously beaten at Goodwood, finishing second, with pace setter La Joconde taking third place.
O’Brien has a reputation for building up his runners, notably Love in recent years, but has been bang on the money with Snowfall.
“This filly has always been exceptional,” he added. “She’s got a very good pedigree and is always going to get better.”
This was supported by her winning rider Ryan Moore, left.
“She gave me an exceptional feel,” he said, after his third victory in the race. “Today was as good as anything I’ve felt.” David Menuisier, responsible for Wonderful Tonight, was not too downcast in defeat.
“I’m really happy with the run, considering the conditions (fast ground) were not in her favour so I think there was no harm done.
“We had to give it a go as I wanted her to have two races before the Arc.
“Her next race will be at Longchamp, but it could be the Prix Foy rather than the Prix Vermeille because the fillies are better than the colts this year!”