ULTIMATE WARRIOR
SAXON WARRIOR will spearhead another powerful team for Aidan O’Brien in next month’s Epsom Derby.
The Deep Impact colt is thriving after his emphatic 2000 Guineas success and the Ballydoyle handler warned he’ll improve again upped to 1m 4f.
O’Brien could run as many as four in the Blue Riband with Derrinstown placers Delano
Roosevelt and The Pentagon plus Lingfield Trial runner-up
Kew Gardens also in the shakein up. Emphatic Cheshire Oaks winner Magic Wand and the talented Magical will lead Team Ballydoyle’s Epsom Oaks bid. Impressive Dee Stakes hero
Rostropovich will be his main contender in next month’s French Derby at Chantilly.
O’Brien also said Capri will miss next month’s Coronation Cup at Epsom. The dual-Classic winner is likely to be saved for an autumn campaign after a shoulder injury. But trainer John Gosden confirmed Cracksman will go for more Group One glory. Andrew Balding’s MAID UP (7.20) headlines the value bets at Chepstow tonight.
The Mastercraftsman filly looked a nice prospect when third in a red-hot Newmarket maiden in April and can do plenty of damage in handicaps.
AIR OF YORK (6.50) can continue his excellent run of form for John Flint in the sprint. The gelding looked to have plenty hand when scoring at Windsor and can follow up thanks to William Cox’s 5lb claim. TILSWORTH LUKEY (7.50) can shade a trappy 1m 4f handicap for trainer John Jenkins. The in-form five-year-old remains on an attractive mark after just failing to catch Carraigin Aonair at Brighton. Irish raider MASSINI’S TRAP (8.20) can make a winning return to the level in the two-miler. The gelding has been set some stiff tasks over timber by John Nash and should bag this much weaker contest off a workable Flat mark.
Clive Cox is confident top sprinter Harry Angel is fit enough to make a successful comeback in tomorrow’s Duke Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire.
Tim Easterby is looking forward to Wells Farhh Go’s return in the Dante Stakes.
The Farhh colt is in good shape ahead of Thursday’s York Group Two where the local handler is hoping he can book his Epsom Derby place.