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O'Brien's Chester raid
MACARTHUR has been called a
few names in his time but he can
make amends and finally live up
to his lofty reputation in the
Group Three Blue Square Ormonde
Stakes at Chester.
Aidan O'Brien's son of Montjeu
was sent off the well-fancied
9-4 favourite for a small Listed
heat at the Curragh last month
but could only come home seventh
behind Red Moloney.
He is far better than that,
though, and a valid argument
could be made that the ground
went against him that day.
After all, his St Leger sixth
was hardly a disgraceful way to
end last season, especially as he
was flat out of luck when it mattered,
while his Great Voltigeur
third was also a grand effort.
That said, Macarthur has not
really lived up to O'Brien's expectations,
indeed he was well
touted for last year's Derby, but
a good show here can give his career
fresh impetus.
Alexandros can revitalise
Godolphin's spirits by winning
the Addleshaw Goddard Dee
Stakes.
Saeed bin Suroor's team endured
a bit of a nightmare on
Guineas weekend with Ibn Khaldun
and Laureldean Gale both
struggling in their respective
Classic tilts.
But the gloom is sure to lift if
their Kingmambo colt does what
is expected of him in this important
Group Three contest.
Alexandros makes his Godolphin
bow having shown rocksolid
form when in the care of
Andre Fabre.
Already a Group Three and
Listed scorer, the three-year-old
did not do a great deal wrong in
the Prix Morny, in which he finished
a two-and-a-half-length
third behind Myboycharlie.
The form obviously takes on
added resonance as runner-up
Natagora, who was half a length
too strong for Alexandros at
Deauville, has since won the
Cheveley Park Stakes and the
1000 Guineas.
On pedigree, 10 furlongs
around the twists and turns of
Chester should not be an issue
for Frankie Dettori's mount,
who could well prove up to
Derby class if all goes well.
Extraterrestrial fairly trotted
up in the Thirsk Hunt Cup and
can defy a 6lb penalty in the
Warwick International Handicap.
Richard Fahey's four-year-old,
previously in the care of Kevin
Prendergast, overcame an uncompromising
draw to score
with a shade in hand in what is
always a competitive event.
This is admittedly tougher but
he looks a progressive individual
for whom conditions will be
ideal. Fahey can also strike gold
later on the card with Rose Siog,
a speedy and consistent type
who should stamp her authority
upon the Hawker Beechcraft
Handicap.
Erlydors is held in stratospheric
esteem by Walter Swinburn
and should make a victorious
turf debut in the Alchem
Merseyside Cheshire Regiment
Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
11:21am Friday 9th May 2008
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