High Chaparral for Epsom

Lydia Hislop13 April 2012

Aidan O'Brien today scotched speculation that Vodafone Derby second-favourite High Chaparral could yet be re-routed from the Epsom classic to run instead in the French version this Sunday.

The suggestion came amid rumour that retained jockey Mick Kinane has already chosen ante-post favourite and stablemate Hawk Wing over High Chaparral for the 8 June event set to be worth approaching £1.4 million.

Bookmaker reports of heavy support for Hawk Wing in recent days, combined with the freedom with which jockey Jamie Spencer - who rode Hawk Wing to finish second to Rock Of Gibraltar in Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas - accepted Godolphin's Moon Ballad as his Derby mount has lent weight to this latest speculation.

But O'Brien denied the report on both counts.

"I shouldn't have to respond to rumour. I didn't say anything of the sort and neither has Mick," he said. "But I can underline that Epsom is the only Derby plan for High Chaparral. Mick does not have to decide which horse he rides until two or three days beforehand."

O'Brien would not confirm the rather more substantiated rumour that Johnny Murtagh has been placed on standby for whichever Derby colt Kinane rejects. "Nothing has been confirmed about jockeys yet," he said. But O'Brien did add that Louisville, rather than Castle Gandolfo, is now most likely to accompany his two more illustrious stablemates to Epsom.

"We run Diaghilev and Black Sam Bellamy in the French Derby this Sunday, but Castle Gandolfo is also a possible. He is also in the Prix Jean Prat over nine furlongs at Chantilly on the same day. We will decide nearer the time, but he is more likely to go to France than Epsom," O'Brien said.

Meanwhile, as Lambourn trainer Marcus Tregoning prepares for the funeral of his former boss, Major Dick Hern, he confirmed his Kingwood House Stables will still be double-handed for Friday week's Vodafone Oaks with Esloob and Shadow Dancing.

With his loyal former jockey Willie Carson, Hern bred Shadow Dancing, who claimed her place in the classic line-up with victory in the Cheshire Oaks earlier this month. Esloob, who won Newmarket's Pretty Polly Stakes on her reappearance earlier this month, has always been targetted at the Epsom fillies' event.

Tregoning - who has scratched Sasaram from the Derby on Saturday week and faces a race against time to get stable companion Tholjanah ready for the same event - delivered an upbeat report on both fillies, but particularly highlighted an improvement in Esloob's recent work.

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