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Derby hope Sir Lamorak declared as O'Brien bids for another Chester Vase

Sir Lamorak: heads a team of three for Aidan O'Brien in the Chester Vase on Wednesday
Sir Lamorak: heads a team of three for Aidan O'Brien in the Chester Vase on WednesdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Sir Lamorak will attempt to enhance his claims for the Cazoo Derby when he heads a three-strong team for Aidan O'Brien in the Chester Vase (3.15), as the trainer seeks to continue his domination of the feature race on day one of the Boodles May festival on Wednesday.

The son of Camelot will be pitched into Group company for the first time at the Roodee and heads the betting for the 1m4½f Group 3 following an easy victory in a Leopardstown handicap last month. He is a general 16-1 chance for the Epsom Classic on June 5.

O'Brien – successful in seven of the last nine runnings of the Chester Vase – will also be represented by Sandhurst and San Martino in his quest for a tenth victory in the contest.

Sir Lamorak: 16-1 chance for the Derby following an easy victory at Leopardstown last month
Sir Lamorak: 16-1 chance for the Derby following an easy victory at Leopardstown last monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The last Chester Vase winner to follow up in the Derby was the O'Brien-trained Ruler Of The World in 2013, while Wings Of Eagles finished second for the same stable in 2017 before winning at Epsom.

Blue Riband Trial winner Wirko is one of two runners for Godolphin, joined by the John and Thady Gosden-trained Law Of The Sea, while Youth Spirit, Pleasant Man and Fancy Man complete a field of eight.


Boodles May Festival day one card


The Gosden team is also well represented in the Cheshire Oaks (2.15) as the regally bred Darlectable You attempts to provide the Clarehaven team with a third win from the last four runnings of the race.

A daughter of Dubawi out of Dar Re Mi, the three-year-old is a full sibling to high-class performers Too Darn Hot, Lah Ti Dar and So Mi Dar and aims to get off the mark in the Listed contest. The great Enable won the Cheshire Oaks for the yard in 2017 before winning the Oaks and Irish Oaks.

Darlectable You (right) will bid to follow in some Gosden-trained superstar footsteps in the Cheshire Oaks
Darlectable You (right) will bid to follow in some Gosden-trained superstar footsteps in the Cheshire OaksCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Roger Varian-trained Zeyaadah – last seen winning a Listed contest at Newmarket in October – puts her unbeaten record on the line, while Donnacha and Aidan O'Brien will be represented with Nicest and La Joconde among seven declared runners.

Seven speedy juveniles will be on show in the Lily Agnes Conditions Stakes (1.45) including Devious Angel, who is aptly owned by Roudee Racing and has been specifically aimed at the opening race of the meeting following his impressive victory at Southwell last month.

Chester Vase final field

1. Fancy ManSean Levey
2. Law Of The SeaFrankie Dettori
3. Pleasant ManOisin Murphy
4. Sandhurst James Doyle
5. San Martino Franny Norton
6. Sir Lamorak Ryan Moore
7. WirkoWilliam Buick
8. Youth Spirit Tom Marquand

Cheshire Oaks final field

1. ZeyaadahJim Crowley
2. AhandfulofsummersWilliam Buick
3. Darlectable YouFrankie Dettori
4. Dubai FountainFranny Norton
5. La Joconde Oisin Murphy
6. NicestRyan Moore
7. Quenelle d'OrJames Doyle


Read more if you were interested in this . . .

How Monday's action could impact the betting for the Derby and the Oaks

What's On This Week: Chester May meeting and Lingfield trials offer plenty of Classic clues

Morrison hoping Roodee rain will boost Not So Sleepy's Chester Cup chance

David O'Meara: stayers are sold abroad instead of racing for low British prize-money (Members' Club)


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Matt RennieReporter

Published on 3 May 2021inNews

Last updated 11:10, 4 May 2021

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