Easy win for Ruler sees odds for Derby plummet

The master of Ballydoyle had saddled three of the last six winners of the recognised Derby trial in Soldier Of Fortune (2007), Golden Sword (2009) and Treasure Beach (2011) and his latest candidate was a 10-11 favourite off the back of a Curragh maiden victory a month ago.

Ruler Of The World tracked the early pace set by Mister Impatience, but took over from the home turn and soon stamped his authority on the Group Three contest.

Once Moore picked up his whip, his mount lengthened quite impressively to pass the post with six lengths in hand.

Mister Impatience was clear second-best, ahead of Havana Beat and Feel Like Dancing.

Moore said: “He did it nicely. The race worked out well for him as he got a nice lead.

“He’s still a bit green running round here, but once I grabbed hold of him he lengthened really well.

“He’ll learn a lot. Going round here will have done him good.”

Paddy Power cut Ruler Of The World to 6-1 from 20-1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1.

Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, said: “Aidan thinks quite a lot of him. He’s been working well at home and we’re really delighted with that.

“We thought he might be a little bit green and a little bit babyish.

“I think with the tight, turning track and the crowd, it was a good choice (of race) and it paid dividends.

“You’d have to be very happy with him. He stayed the trip.”

Smith confirmed stablemate Battle Of Marengo would run in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Battle Of Marengo is a best-priced 11-2 shot for Epsom Derby glory behind red-hot favourite Dawn Approach at 7-4.

O’Brien will be hoping to strike at Chester once again today as Memphis Tennessee bids to become the first horse since St Expedit in 2001 and 2002 to land back-to-back victories in the Boodles Ormonde Stakes.

The five-year-old duly justified favouritism 12 months ago only to disappoint on his only start last season, when he was tailed off in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal 
Ascot.

His main stumbling block is 
expected to be Mount Athos, who has his first run back in Britain since taking in the Melbourne Cup and Japan Cup at the end of last year.

His trainer Luca Cumani is praying the ground stays on the quick side for the Dr Marwan Koukash-owned six-year-old.

“Mount Athos is in very good form. I just hope the rain stays away because he likes a fast surface,” said Cumani. “If he gets a fast surface I’m sure he will run a good race.”

Communicator has finished first and second in two starts on the Roodee and his Lambourn trainer Andrew Balding believes that is an advantage as the five-year-old tries his hand in Group Three company.

“He likes the track and has run very well there twice in the past,” said the Kingsclere handler.

“He’s got a fair bit to find to trouble the two principals (Memphis Tennessee and Mount Athos), but he’s in good form.”

Mad Moose had refused to race on his last two starts over fences, but he was a revelation on his belated Flat debut at Doncaster.

Jumping kindly out of the stalls, the nine-year-old, trained by 
Nigel Twiston-Davies, had far too much toe for his younger rivals as he sprang a 28-1 surprise in a mile-and-a-half maiden.

“He was due a performance as he hadn’t started in his last two runs so we were getting a bit frustrated with him,” said Nick Bradley, bloodstock manager to owners Middleham Park Racing.

“Nigel was sure he would jump out of the stalls and he did. Nigel said there was no horse at home that could go with him, but we never expected him to win.

“We put him in this in the hope that it would be a small field, which it is. We’re not sure how we will ride him, but it will certainly be a sight Mad Moose running around Chester. We will try to come up with a plan to nick a bit of prize money.

“We’ve put Danny (Tudhope) on board, it’s the first time he’s ridden for Nigel as his son Willy was unavailable. Danny’s a good jockey and he will think about the ride, about trying to win some prize money and getting a few off the bridle turning in.”

The Chester meeting has not featured a single Godolphin runner, but the operation have revealed that Saeed bin Suroor is set take temporary control of the Moulton Paddocks yard in Newmarket once the stable has been cleared to resume action by the British Horseracing Authority.

Moulton Paddocks was formerly the base of Mahmood Al Zarooni, the trainer who was banned for eight years by the BHA last month after admitting administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in his care.

He has subsequently launched an appeal against the length of the ban.

Those horses, including one-time 1000 Guineas favourite Certify, have all been banned from running for six months while all horses at Al Zarooni’s former yard have been tested by the BHA.

The results of those checks have yet to be returned, but Bin Suroor, who already trains for Godolphin at its Snailwell Road set-up, will assume responsibility for Moulton Paddocks when it is given the all-clear.

Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford said: “The intention is for Saeed to take over the licence at Moulton Paddocks on a temporary basis until a new trainer is appointed.”