Who’s the Daddy

[Wandering Eyes]

The Galileo factor is particularly prevalent at Chester’s key meeting, with eight successes out of the 13 group races that he has had a representative. In the G3 Centennial Celebration – MBNA Chester Vase S., he was responsible for the first and third last year and in 2007, the one-two in 2016 and 2011 and the winner in 2013 and 2014. They included the future Classic winners Soldier of Fortune (Ire), Treasure Beach (GB), Ruler of the World (Ire) and an Epsom Derby runner-up in US Army Ranger (Ire), so it is clear that Ballydoyle mean business in this traditional trial for the blue riband. Pick of his sons this time appears to be last year’s G3 Eyrefield S. scorer Flag of Honour (Ire), who was a narrow third on his return behind Pharrell (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) and Tuesday’s G2 Prix Greffulhe third Alhadab (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) on his return in the G3 Prix Noailles over 10 1/2 furlongs at ParisLongchamp Apr. 15, while the seven-furlong Gowran Park maiden scorer Family Tree (GB) adds intrigue as a half-brother to the top sprinter Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate) and last year’s Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Best Approach (GB) (New Approach {Ire}).

Despite the overwhelming evidence for the Galileos, Ryan Moore has instead opted for the stable’s Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) who is a half-brother to David Livingston (Ire), one of the rare Galileos to disappoint in this when fourth as the 6-4 favourite in 2012. Hunting Horn looked unlucky to be only third in the Apr. 27 G3 Sandown Classic Trial over a mile and a quarter, where the re-opposing Ispolini (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was 1 1/4 lengths ahead in second.

Ispolini’s trainer Charlie Appleby is keen on exposing the latter, a 1.2million gns TATOCT descendant of the magnificent Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk), to more seasoning ahead of the European Derbys.

“I was very pleased with Ispolini’s seasonal debut at Sandown and he looks to have come on for that race,” he said. “The step up in trip to a mile and a half will suit him and he should be competitive in the Chester Vase.”

One of the hottest renewals in recent times also sees William Haggas throw his hat into the ring with Investec’s Bernard Kantor’s colour-bearer Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), a strong-staying five-length winner of an often-informative 11-furlong Newbury maiden Apr. 21.

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