Racing: O'Brien's Classic team hit target
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Kieren Fallon went straight into the lead on Horatio Nelson in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère and after seeing off the challenge of Sylvester Kirk's Opera Cape, drew clear to score in good style. Horatio Nelson was cut two points to 10-1 by William Hill for the Derby, but remains a 10-1 shot for the 2,000 Guineas.
O'Brien said: "We haven't ruled out the Breeders' Cup. He is a staying horse, but he has also got plenty of speed. You only need to look at his times to see he is quick and I don't think a mile of the Guineas would be too sharp."
Kirk said of Opera Cape: "We've been beaten by a very good horse. That was my first Group One runner and I can't complain with second. We'll start him off next year in the Greenham."
Rumplestiltskin cemented her position at the head of the 1,000 Guineas betting with a narrow but convincing victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac. She came from an unpromising position under Fallon from her wide draw to get the better of Quiet Royal and the Clive Brittain-trained Deveron.
Coral were impressed and cut her odds for the Newmarket Classic next spring to 3-1 from 7-1, with Ladbrokes longest at 5-1.
There was a turn-up in the Prix de l'Opera when the outsider Kinnaird gave the Middleham trainer Patrick Haslam his first Group One success. The filly had not won since the May Hill Stakes in 2003 and, under a fine ride from Kevin Darley, beat O'Brien's Mona Lisa and Alexander Goldrun.
Roger Charlton crowned a magnificent weekend with a one-two in the Prix de l'Abbaye with Avonbridge and Striking Ambition . The Beckhampton trainer, who won the Cambridgeshire with Blue Monday at Newmarket on Saturday, also had Patavellian in fifth.
"It's been the best, just fantastic, amazing," Charlton said. "I'm just thrilled for the owners, the lads in the yard - it's just great."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments