Curtain Time failed to take his cue for a possible starring role in the Vodafone Epsom Derby next month when failing his rehearsal at Newmarket today. Henry Cecil's colt had been 12-1 fourth favourite with William Hill for the Epsom Classic after a successful racecourse debut at the Craven meeting last month, but his name disappeared from all bookmakers' lists after he finished one from last in the Ruinart Champagne Conditions Stakes.
However, Cecil was not despondent and admitted: "He's obviously not there yet. He's a big, backward horse and it's been a bad winter. I shan't push him, and nature is telling us he's not there yet. But he's a nice horse and he'll be all right, maybe by Ascot time."
As a Derby trial the race was a no-contest, with neither the winner Terrestrial nor the runner-up Prize Winner engaged at Epsom. Prize Winner's trainer, Jeremy Noseda, remarked: "Mine's not Derby class and whatever's finished behind me can forget about Derbys. They wasted their money." Terrestrial, on whom Richard Hughes held off Prize Winner by three-quarters of a length, is being aimed at the Prix du Jockey-Club and his trainer John Gosden said: "I think from his action that he would not be the sort of horse for Epsom. If he ran there he might do a Lyphard and end up racing against the stands rails.The French Derby has been the plan for some time and it is very much the plan after this. I would not think he'll run again before that as he is a good worker at home and I think we can do enough there."
Hughes followed up when making all the running on Moon Solitaire in the Countrywide Steel & Tubes Handicap, holding the late thrust of Kieren Fallon on Shamaiel by a neck. Bargain buy Lake Verdi made a successful debut in the European Metal Recycling Stakes, Ben Hanbury's youngster getting up close home under Willie Supple to beat the 7-2 joint-favourites Redback and Albania by a neck and three-quarters of a length. Pat Gilligan gained his first Group-race success when his Rushcutter Bay landed the Victor Chandler Palace House Stakes.
Gilligan is one of Newmarket's lesser lights with a string of 22 but he hopes to be lording it at Royal Ascot next month when he sends Rushcutter Bay for the King's Stand Stakes. Rushcutter Bay was dashed to the front in the Group Three contest by Michael Kinane in the Dip and beat Cassandra Go by one and a half lengths.
And Kinane completed a 440-1 Group-race double when pouncing on Solo Mio in the HBLB Sagaro Stakes, his mount denying San Sebastian by one and three-quarter lengths. Solo Mio had finished second to French-trained staying star Baracouda over hurdles in February and was having his first run since. (PA)
Filed by Shane Murray
