Azmeel

Weak in the market before the Group 3 Classic Trial run over 10 furlongs at Sandown on Friday, Azmeel travelled well through the race and looked a likely winner when he moved up between horses on the outside of early leader Take It To The Max. However, he was no match for Godolphin recruit Chabal, who powered up the outside to win nicely. There was no disgrace in getting beaten by Chabal.

He was a high class juvenile last season for Jim Bolger and Lady O’Reilly, beaten just a neck in the Group 1 National Stakes, and he is as short as 20/1 for the Derby. The front two pulled clear of their field here, and, given how weak Azmeel was in the market beforehand, it is reasonable to expect that he will improve fairly significantly for the run. William Buick was easy enough on him once his winning chance had gone, giving him just one crack of the whip, and that should stand to the son of Azamour in the future. He will run next in either the Dee Stakes at Chester or in the Lingfield Derby Trial, and he will be of interest in whichever race he contests, although it may be that 10 furlongs will prove to be his optimum trip.

23rd April 2010