TWICE OVER, who heads to York for the Dante Stakes, may be Khalid Abdullah chief Vodafone Derby hope, but following yesterday’s victory in the Bank Of America Chester Vase on the Roodee, Doctor Fremantle may have provided a back-up option.
The Henry Cecil-trained Twice Over is the 4-1 favourite with all the major bookmakers, but following his half-length success Dr Fremantle could be supplemented for the Epsom Classi for a cost of £75,000.
Much will depend on how Twice Over gets on next week, but the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby may be the target for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Salder’s Wells colt.
Under Ryan Moore the 11-8 favourite came with a run up the inside on the final bend to beat All The Aces.
Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: “He missed the break slightly and it was a muddling race, but the split came nicely against the rail and he quickened well.
“He is not in the Derby, but he is in the King Edward VII and the Irish Derby and I think we’ll look at that route.
“We will bring him on and if he is good enough I imagine he will go for the Irish Derby.
“We would not be thinking of supplementing for Epsom at this stage and Twice Over is our main Derby contender at the moment. He will run in the Dante next week and is in good form.”
Maraahel broke through the £1million barrier, but in his bid for a fourth successive Grant Thornton Huxley Stakes he had to settle for second behind the Mick Channon-trained Championship Point.
Stoute’s seven-year-old headed the long-time leader at one point under Richard Hills, but Championship Point and Darryl Holland got back up for a narrow victory.
Channon said: “We needed a change of luck and we have got that today.”
Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager Angus Gold added of Maraahel: “It was a good effort. He gave it his best and it is great to see he is still in good shape. I’ve not discussed plans with Sir Michael, but I guess we will follow a similar route to last year.”
Meanwhile on the final afternoon of Chester May Meeting, Godolphin look to get their Classic aspirations up and running with Alexan-dros goes in the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes, won in the past by Derby winners Oath and Kris Kin.
Ibn Khaldun was a big disappointment for Sheikh Mohammed’s ‘boys in blue’ in Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas but hopes are high Alexandros can book his ticket to the Vodafone Derby on June 7.
Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Alexandros is doing well and I am happy with his preparation. He is fit and healthy. It will be a tough race to win but we are looking forward to a good performance from our colt on his first start this year.”
This evening Aintree have the first of their three summer Fabulous Friday Night fixtures with music from The Stars from the Commitments after racing and it is £19 to pay in on the night.
Trainer Alan King looks to hold decent chances of victories with Zilcash (6.15pm), Otarie (6.50pm) and Prince Du Soleil (8.25pm).
CHESTER (Day Three): 1.45pm Dhaular Dhar 2.15pm (Dee Stakes) Achill Island 2.45pm (Ormonde Stakes) Macarthur 3.15pm Hadaf (NAP) 4pm Gulf Stream Lady 4.35pm Stretton.
AINTREE: 5.45pm Latanier 6.15pm Zilcash 6.50pm Otarie 7.20pm Water Taxi 7.55pm Minouchka 8.25pm Prince Du Seuil.
