Constitution River, ridden by Ryan Moore, delivered a stunning performance to win the Dee Stakes at Chester in emphatic style, significantly boosting his prospects for the Epsom Derby. The victory, captured by a seven-length margin, showcased tactical speed, balance, and a powerful finishing kick, earning a high timefigure. However, doubts about his stamina persist, with an entry over a mile at Royal Ascot and current thinking leaning towards the 10-furlong French Derby on 31 May.
Derby Contenders Overview
1. Constitution River
Timeform rating: 124p. Derby odds: 6-1. Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Pedigree: Wootton Bassett x Chuppy (Le Havre). The "wow" performance of the trials season, but stamina doubts and a potential French Derby target complicate his path.
2. Benvenuto Cellini
Timeform: 118p. Odds: 5-2. Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Pedigree: Frankel x Newspaperofrecord (Lope De Vega). Impressive winner of the Chester Vase, ticking all boxes on pedigree and stamina. If Constitution River goes to Chantilly, Benvenuto Cellini could be O'Brien's leading Derby hope.
3. Item
Timeform: 117p. Odds: 6-1. Trainer: Andrew Balding. Pedigree: Frankel x Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega). Unbeaten in three starts after a dominant win in the Dante Stakes at York. However, signs of inexperience in the closing stages raise concerns about handling Epsom's unique track.
4. Maltese Cross
Timeform: 116p. Odds: 10-1. Trainer: William Haggas. Pedigree: Sea The Stars x Nabatea (Camelot). Narrow winner of the Lingfield trial, showing a determined attitude and handling the downhill run well, which bodes well for Epsom.
5. Bay Of Brilliance
Timeform: 116p. Odds: 20-1. Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Pedigree: New Bay x Incroyable (Singspiel). Close second to Maltese Cross at Lingfield, with similar chances but lacking the same determination.
6. James J Braddock
Timeform: 111p. Odds: 16-1. Trainer: Joseph O'Brien. Pedigree: Zarak x Burkina Faso (Mukhadram). Nailed Pierre Bonnard on the line in the Leopardstown trial, but needs a major step up to contend at Epsom.
7. Pierre Bonnard
Timeform: 111p. Odds: 16-1. Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Pedigree: Camelot x Sultanina (New Approach). Winter favourite after a Group One win in France, but two trial defeats have weakened his case, though he may improve for the longer trip.
Oaks Contenders
1. Legacy Link
Timeform: 110p. Odds: 5-1. Trainer: John Gosden. Pedigree: Dubawi x Chiasma (Galileo). Priceless pedigree (full sister to Frankel) and a gutsy win in the Musidora Stakes. Heads the home-trained team and will have a canter at Epsom to acclimatise.
2. Amelia Earhart
Timeform: 112p. Odds: 5-2. Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Pedigree: Camelot x Venus De Milo (Duke Of Marmalade). Won the Cheshire Oaks with a fine turn of foot, but current odds are short against less-exposed rivals.
3. Abashiri
Timeform: 106p. Odds: 14-1. Trainer: Charlie Appleby. Pedigree: Frankel x Sobetsu (Dubawi). Ran a huge race in the 1,000 Guineas to finish fifth, despite struggling with the Dip. Talented and bred for a mile and a half.
4. Venetian Lace
Timeform: 111p. Odds: 12-1. Trainer: Charlie Johnston. Pedigree: Masar x Nash Nasha (Dubawi). Outran 33-1 odds to finish third in the 1,000 Guineas and promises to improve over further. Experience counts at Epsom.
5. Cameo
Timeform: 106p. Odds: 16-1. Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Pedigree: Wootton Bassett x Zagitova (Galileo). Impressive winner of the Lingfield trial, quickening nearly five lengths clear. Likely to be the trainer's second-string but has Classic-winning potential.
Newbury and Newmarket Highlights
Sahlan, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, is an interesting each-way shot for the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Lightly raced but already a Group One winner, he finished a close fifth in the Breeders' Cup Mile. At 10-1, he offers value to reverse form with Notable Speech. Other notable entries include Kalapana in the 1.25 at Newbury, Twisting Physics at Newmarket, and Al Azd in the 3.45 at Newbury.
