RACING/Chester:Non-runners decimated the field for the betchronicle.com Ormonde Stakes at Chester and jockey William Buick capitalised on the three-runner field to land a telling blow aboard Andrew Balding's Buccellati.
The Group Three event was run at a farcical crawl with Buick, Richard Hughes aboard Scintillo and Johnny Murtagh on Aidan O’Brien’s 8-11 favourite Frozen Fire all reluctant to make the running.
Buick initially hacked along in front and only turned the screw with half a mile left to run. His mount, a 15-8 chance, opened a gap which never looked like being reduced and Buick crossed the line three-lengths clear of Scintillo, with last year’s Irish Derby winner Frozen Fire last of the trio.
Buick said: “I knew Richard Hughes wouldn’t go on but I thought Johnny might and my horse has won a lot of races being held up. I took the initiative and controlled the race completely throughout.
“I was pleased with the way he quickened and knew three furlongs out that we would probably win.”
Balding added: “We were pretty convinced that Johnny Murtagh would go on, but when no-one wanted to make it William had enough sense to take the bull by the horns.
“To be honest I fancied him however the race was run as he has improved a lot. The owners are over from Australia so he will go to the Coronation Cup now and deserves to take his chance.”
Murtagh dismounted to boos and heckles from angry punters, having also lost out when a staying-on second aboard hot favourite Masterofthehorse 24 hours earlier.
The Irishman said: “There were eight runners but five came out so it was always going to be tactical. Aidan (O’Brien) said to drop him in as it was his first run of the season, and to let him go round on the bridle.
“I didn’t think there would be much pace but I didn’t think it would be as slow as that.”
Days after Investec were unveiled as the new English Derby sponsor, the banking company’s managing director, Bernard Kantor, landed a key trial as his South Easter emerged on top in a blanket finish to the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes.
Four of the seven runners were separated by two heads and a neck at the end of the Group Three event, with the William Haggas-trained winner fending off Gitano Hernando to claim the top honours.
The 6-1 chance had to overcome an objection to the stewards from the runner-up’s jockey, John Egan, and received general 40-1 quotes for the Classic.
Haggas said: “The owner is a proper bloke and won’t put any pressure on me to run in the Derby. My feeling is that we would be mad to run at this stage, but he is coming on a lot and we will see how he does over the next two weeks before making any decision.
“I’m more inclined to stick at a mile and a quarter and perhaps look at the Great Voltigeur later on.”
Richard Fahey’s Mister Hardy completed a three-timer and got favourite-backers off to a flying start when taking the opening Surrenda-Link Earl Grosvenor Heritage Handicap as the 7-2 market leader.
Jockey Frederik Tylicki said: “He pinged the gates and I was able to sit in behind the leaders. I waited and waited until the turn in and he has got a terrific turn of foot.”
Favourite-backers enjoyed further good fortune as Doctor Parkes made an appointment with the winner’s enclosure by striking at the first time of asking for trainer Eric Alston in the Hawker Beechcraft Handicap.
The 7-2 chance was with Ed Vaughan last term but recently moved to Alston’s Preston yard and capitalised on his box one draw for a half-length success.
Balaagha become the third winning jolly of the afternoon when taking the Charles Rodgers Cheshire Regiment Maiden Fillies’ Stakes as the even-money market leader.
The meeting ended in dramatic fashion with Murtagh on the Haggas-trained Empowered (evens favourite) and Hughes aboard Clive Cox’s Red Merlin (11-4) dead-heating for first place in the Cruise Nightclub Handicap.