O'Brien adds to Group One tally at Doncaster
Saturday, 27 October 2001 19:58
Aidan O'Brien landed yet another Group One victory this afternoon when the Kevin Darley-ridden High Chaparral floored his odds-on stable companion Castle Gandolfo in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. High Chaparral was a 10-1 chance this morning, but sustained support saw him shortened to 9-2 at the off, with Castle Gandolfo, and 8-13 chance in the mile test run over the straight mile because of the state of the ground on the round mile course.
Everything looked plain sailing for favourite backers when George Duffield sent Castle Gandolfo into the lead with a quarter of a mile to run, with High Chaparral going in pursuit, but showing signs of greenness and tending to edge left. However, the latter really found his stride as he neared the far rails, and quickening up in fine style, got on top well inside the final furlong to score by three quarters of a length, with Redback five lengths adrift in third.
Camp David, a third O'Brien runner, finished fourth with Godolphin's Mount Joy fifth. High Chaparral is now a 25-1 chance for the 2002 Sagitta 2,000 Guineas and 25-1 for the Vodafone Derby with Paddy Power. This was O'Brien's 21st Group One success of the season and they include all eight races of that grade for juvenile colts run so far this year in Europe.
Filed by Shane Murray
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