Major race entries 2008: Derby | Oaks | Coronation Cup

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Thursday 15 May 2008

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore had a quickfire Group double at York on Thursday when Tartan Bearer, a full brother to Golan, ran on well from the rear of the field of five to win the Group Two Dante Stakes, beating odds on favourite, Craven Stakes winner Twice Over.

Tartan Bearer, a Leicester maiden winner on his second start last time, raced last but made up ground with a smooth run in the straight to hit the front in a race run at a decent pace. The Aidan O'Brien trained Frozen Fire also emerged to make a fight of it, but never looked like getting on top of the winner. Twice Over looked to run out of steam late on and settled for third.

Peter Reynolds of owner/breeder Ballymacoll Stud told Channel 4: "I was hoping, rather than expecting. Michael has always liked the horse, but it is a big ask to win a maiden at Leicester and then come here. We have had a lot of success, we are very fortunate - Michael has done a fantastic job.

"Epsom is Michael's department. His brother, Golan, didn't do very well there but he has done it very well today and that's all we can ask."

Of Twice Over, Henry Cecil said: "I am not blaming the ground as all the others went on it. He came there and emptied out and he was disappointing really.

"Whether he needs to come back in distance or not I don't know. It is up to the Prince, but I don't think he will run in the Derby after that."

Vodafone Derby - totesport prices

Curtain Call 4/1
Tartan Bearer 5/1
Frozen Fire 6/1
Tajaaweed 9/1
Thewayyouare 16/1
Kandahar Run 16/1
Kingdom Of Naples 16/1
Rio De La Plata 20/1
Washington Irving 20/1
Alessandro Volta 20/1
Fast Company 20/1
25-1 bar

Dermot Weld said he would decide whether to run impressive Derrinstown winner Casual Conquest in the Derby after the Irish Guineas are run. The colt is as short as 3-1 with a run for Epsom after demolishing his field on Sunday.

Stan Cosgrove, manager of owner Moyglare Stud Farm, told the Racing Post the £75,000 supplementary entry fee was not an issue: "He annihilated them. He's a great big horse and that was only his first run of the year. It's really up to the trainer and the jockey to make a decision about supplementing. Regarding the money, there's no problem with that."

Godolphin could run two in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: “Ibn Khaldun worked well this morning and may run in the Irish Guineas. Rio De La Plata could go there too.”

York applied 5mm of water to the whole track after racing on Wednesday, when the track rode good to firm.

Cape Cross filly Cape Amber was making only her second start when beaten five lengths into second by Lush Lashes in the Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday, and trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam was delighted with her run in the Group Three.

Chapple-Hyam told his website peterchapplehyam.com: “I was over the moon with her run and it will bring her on an absolute bundle. She had just started to come to herself in her last two bits of work before the race.

“But that was a hell of run and she will now head straight to the Oaks. I’m sure she will end up getting at least a mile-and-a-half and she wouldn’t mind if there was a bit of cut at Epsom.

“Of course, if Lush Lashes turns up in the same form as she showed at York then she will win. But Cape Amber has shown she is going to be competitive in all the good middle-distance races and I feel she is only going to get better.”

Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Miracle Seeker is reported as an almost certain Oaks starter by trainer Clive Cox. She is a 25-1 chance for the race.

"She's won her trial, she gets the trip, she's got a very pleasing attitude and I'm thrilled with the way she's come out of the race. I think she has every right to give it a go," the Lambourn trainer told PA Sport.