Aidan O'Brien domination, Royal Ascot juveniles and Chester clues - three key things to take away from the week's action

O'Brien in unstoppable form

By James Stevens

It was all about Charlie Appleby in the Guineas at Newmarket but the Epsom Classics could be dominated by Aidan O'Brien if the trials are anything to go by.

The Ballydoyle trainer underlined the awesome firepower at his disposal, winning every trial for the Oaks and Derby across Britain and Ireland this week at Chester, Lingfield and Leopardstown.

Perhaps the best was saved for last in Delacroix, who was cut to 4-1 for the Betfred Derby after an easy victory in the Leopardstown Derby Trial. He was sent off 1-3 after the form of his Ballysax had been boosted by second Lambourn and fourth Puppet Master winning the Chester Vase and Lingfield Derby Trial in the last few days and duly obliged by two and three-quarter lengths under Wayne Lordan.

As for the fillies, Minnie Hauk entered the picture with a good display in the Cheshire Oaks, while Giselle saw off just two rivals in convincing fashion to win the Lingfield Oaks Trial. The pair are 10-1 and 12-1 respectively for Epsom.

Next stop on the Classic trail is York next week, when all eyes will be on The Lion In Winter's seasonal return in the Dante. He had the subsequent Guineas hero Ruling Court behind him when he won the Acomb and he certainly looks O'Brien's most exciting three-year-old at this stage.

Palmer juveniles look Royal Ascot-bound

By Joe Eccles

Hugo Palmer unleashed a potentially smart juvenile at Chester on Thursday in Tricky Tel.

The son of Ubettabelieveit was the subject of a significant gamble, being backed down to 5-6 favourite for his debut in the 5½f maiden, and he justified the support with an impressive three-and-a-quarter-length success under Oisin Murphy.

Rashabar finished second in the same race last year before causing an 80-1 upset in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and that Group 2 looks a likely target for Tricky Tel, who was introduced in the betting at 25-1 with Unibet.

Tricky Tel: winner of the maiden at Chester on ThursdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

There was not the same level of market confidence behind Tricky Tel’s stablemate, Fitzella for her debut in the 5f novice at Ascot on Saturday, but she belied odds of 33-1 with an eyecatching second behind the Godolphin favourite Military Code.

Fitzella broke well under David Probert and finished powerfully to be beaten just a neck. She will appreciate an extra furlong on that evidence and a return to Ascot for the Albany Stakes at the royal meeting could be on the radar.

Plate looks the ideal race for unlucky Chester Cup fifth

By Tom Park

As is often the case at Chester, coming from behind to win was almost impossible. That was especially the case in the Chester Cup, in which Ryan Moore was allowed to control the race on Leinster with a very slow gallop.

As a result, the first four home were the first four for the majority of the race, so it is worth marking up the fifth-placed Who's Glen, who came charging home from the rear under Oisin Murphy. From a wide draw of ten, his task was always going to be tricky, but to pass that many horses off such a slow gallop is a big positive  for his chances in some of the major staying handicaps this summer.

The Northumberland Plate might just be the ideal race for him, given six of his nine starts have been on the all-weather. He has not won any of those but has run well in defeat and given his liking for the surface Andrew Balding may have that race in mind for him.

Don't give up on Balding's other Chester Cup runner Spirit Mixer either. He too had to tuck in towards the rear from a wide draw (13) and travelled really strongly but just couldn't quicken fast enough off such a slow gallop. He likes it around Chester and I'm sure there are more wins to be had with him there granted a better run.

The Last Word:

Ante-Post Angles: I wouldn't put anyone off backing this trial runner-up at 33-1 for the Derby - even if he needs to be supplemented 

Racing Post Ratings: One-sided week leaves Aidan O'Brien with a handful of Classic aces - but one trial winner stands out

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