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Sir Dragonet gallops into Derby reckoning with impressive Chester win


SIR DRAGONET defended his unbeaten record – and threw down an Investec Derby marker – with a runaway victory in the Group 3 Chester Vase.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained son of Camelot – Sir Dagonet (without the ‘r’) was a jester at the court of King Arthur – is notoriously lazy on the Ballydoyle gallops.

A 14-1 chance when making a winning debut by three lengths at Tipperary 13 days previously, Sir Dragonet thrashed his stablemate Norway by eight lengths in the Epsom trial.

“Maybe the winning margin might have been exaggerated by the hot pace up front, but he was the best horse in the race,” said O’Brien’s son, and winning jockey, Donnacha, whose mount is an 8-1 shot to give his all-conquering trainer a record-equalling seventh triumph in the colts’ Classic.

“He was very impressive. I said we’d find out more about him today, and he’s obviously just keeping it for the track.

“I’ve never sat on the horse before. He wasn’t showing a lot at home, then he went to his maiden and he absolutely bolted up.

“By Camelot, you’d think when he strengthens up, he’ll be better again. It’s hard to tell how good he is.”

Sir Dragonet’s sloth on the gallops persuaded his connections he didn’t merit a Derby entry, so a supplementary fee of £85,000 is due by 12pm on May 27.

“That was a lovely surprise,” admitted Paul Smith, son of Coolmore Stud partner Derrick.

“He was a big baby at home and that is why he was not entered in the Derby. I suppose the lads will look at it now and make a decision a week or two beforehand.

“He has a beautiful Galileo pedigree by Camelot. It is all there, but he was a baby at home and he obviously comes alive on the track. We needed to educate him as he just had the one run before and Aidan thought this was a good place to come.

“Donnacha loved him. He said he gave him a lovely feel and was very straightforward and when he asked him, he quickened well. He was on top of them very early, but he was pleasantly surprised.”





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