Cap is top for O’Brien
CAPULET led the Aidan O’Brien fightback in the Listed Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes – to earn a 16-1 quote with William Hill for the Derby.
A bruising few days for Ballydoyle saw City Of Troy beat just two home in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday — the son of Justify is now the Leeds firm’s 3-1 favourite after further support yesterday — before Epsom hopes Grosvenor Square, Agenda and Port Fairy met with defeat at Chester on Wednesday.
But
Capulet resumed normal service under a masterful Ryan Moore ride, making all to defy Bracken’s Laugh by half a length.
“It will be one of the Derbys — in England or France,” said O’Brien (above). “There’s the Irish Derby in the mix, too.
“He’s a lovely, honest horse. He was a little bit keen in front but did it nicely in the end.”
Moore added: “With a bit of luck he’ll go on from here and improve again. There’ll be plenty of options for him now.”
Point Lonsdale and Moore continued the O’Brien resurgence with a six-and-a-halflength supremacy from last year’s St Leger runner-up Arrest in the Group 3 tote.co.uk Supporting Racing Ormonde Stakes — and is now 25-1 for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on June 20.
“Today was the furthest he’s gone, but he could get even further,” said O’Brien.