Races
REPORT | Epsom: The Spring Meeting
Wirko scuppers Uncle Bryn’s Derby plans in the Blue Riband Trial at The Spring Meeting at Epsom
Uncle Bryn’s Derby hopes took a dent this afternoon, as the odds-on favourite could only manage third in the Listed Blue Riband Trial in the Spring Meeting at the Epsom Downs.
John and Thady Gosden’s prospect made headway coming around the bend, in an attempt to catch the leading Pythagoras.
But that was the least of the three-year-old’s concerns, as Richard Fahey’s runner began to drop away from the run and the approaching filly Technique piled the pressure on the favourite.
Both runners battled it out in the final two furlongs, but they had failed to track the progress of the Godolphin runner Wirko.
Charlie Appleby’s colt had been stalking the leading pair and William Buick slammed his foot on the gas in the final furlong, which saw the three-year-old respond impressively.
Wirko flew past the dueling duo to snatch victory in the final strides of the contest.
Technique saw her price slashed for The Oaks from 66/1 to 16/1, while Uncle Bryn’s price for The Derby flew out from 16/1 to 33/1.
Another short-priced favourite was beaten at Epsom later on in the afternoon, this time in the Spring Meeting Novice Stakes.
Appleby’s Silent Film had been well-backed in the market and he looked to be gaining on the leading Noble Patron in the final two furlongs.
But Richard Hannon’s Fast Steps also produced a challenge in the final stages, staying on well to beat the Godolphin horse by three-quarters of a length.
Victory Chime produced a bold front-running display on the Downs when virtually making all in the City And Suburban Handicap.
Hector Crouch pushed the six-year-old to the front of the pack early on, with Ralph Beckett’s gelding showing his staying ability to fight off the challenging Sky Defender and Alfred Boucher in the final stages.
Group One Power got off the mark on turf, making all to win the Great Metropolitan Handicap for Andrew Balding.
The four-year-old had kept David Menuisier’s Soto Sizzler at bay for most of the contest, just doing enough in the final stages to win by three-quarters of a length.
Recon Mission won the 5f Handicap for Tony Carroll, while Beckett claimed a double on the day with Patient Dream landing the Jockey Club Thanks All Owners Handicap.
