Betfred Derby |
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| Group 1, Epsom Downs 15:30 £2,000,000 guaranteed 3yo only, 1m, 4f, 10y  |
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Benvenuto Cellini tightened his grip on Derby favouritism with a performance of considerable authority in the Boodles Chester Vase, further strengthening the impression that he could follow the familiar Ballydoyle path to Epsom glory.
Brilliant from Benvenuto Cellini in the Boodles Chester Vase! 👏 @ChesterRaces pic.twitter.com/bHyYmraVQh
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 6, 2026
A dual winner at two before finishing third in the Futurity Trophy as part of an Aidan O’Brien-trained one-two-three, the imposing chestnut returned to action as the 2/9 favourite in a race O’Brien captured for the 11th time 12 months ago with subsequent Derby hero Lambourn.
With stablemate Proposition forcing the pace from flagfall, Ryan Moore was content to anchor Benvenuto Cellini in midfield, allowing the race to develop around him before edging closer turning for home.
Once asked to improve, the response was immediate. Moving onto the leader’s quarters around the bend, Benvenuto Cellini quickly shifted through the gears and, once fully unleashed, powered clear in deeply impressive style to score by four and a quarter lengths.
Moore said: “He’s got a lovely pedigree and had good form last year. It’s nice to get him over a mile and a half and get a fresh start with him.
“The race was a little disjointed with the horse taking back for second, but he quickened up well from the four (furlong) to the three before getting a little tired in the straight. He will come on for this and I’m very happy.”
Having partnered the colt for the first time on the racecourse, Moore added: “I’ve sat on him a bit before (at home) and he’s a quality colt.
“He was a good winner for Christophe (Soumillon) at Leopardstown and then didn’t like the bad ground at Doncaster. This was nice carrying a penalty which is not always easy, so I thought it was a good performance.
“I’m not sure where he would be in the order right now. We have a couple of more horses to see and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do before Aidan will make his plan.”
Betfred responded by installing Benvenuto Cellini as their 9/4 Derby favourite, with the colt now firmly on course for Epsom.
Paul Smith of owners Coolmore said: “He was a classy juvenile and back on better ground today, stepping up in trip, Ryan was very happy with him.
“I would certainly imagine he will be going to the Derby after that and he’s always been a very high-class horse who has shown a lot at home and has a beautiful stride on him. He’s got a really nice temperament and we’ve always been hopeful he would develop into a nice horse.
“He will have learned a lot there and Ryan said he was very professional.
“We’ve never had a Frankel win the Derby and I think he will definitely be in the mix for sure.
“He was going to go to Epsom for the Blue Riband (Trial), but when that was delayed a week, Aidan decided to come here instead as it would educate him and he would learn a lot and that’s what happened there.”
O’Brien, speaking from Ballydoyle, said: “We were delighted with that, Ryan seemed to be very happy with him and we think the experience will do him good.
“That was always the plan (to go to Epsom), that was why we ran him here and everything went well.
“Nicer ground helped him as he’s a good mover and he’s done well from two to three, so we’re very happy.”
The Ballydoyle trainer expects to gain a clearer picture of his Derby squad over the coming days, with several leading contenders still to run.
“That’s what we’re thinking at the moment, so we’ll see how all that goes,” he added, confirming Italy for Lingfield, Pierre Bonnard for Leopardstown and Christmas Day as a possible runner in the Dante Stakes at York.
Betfred Derby (Group 1)
£2,000,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 4f 10y, Class 1
41 remaining entries
Going:
(Form as of May 5)
