Benvenuto Cellini power-packed at the finish in Chester Vase Benvenuto Cellini strengthened his position as Derby favourite with a dominant victory in the Boodles Chester Vase. A dual winner last season before picking up the bronze medal as part of an Aidan O’Brien-trained one-two-three in Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy, the flashy chestnut was the 2-9 favourite for his reappearance in a race the Ballydoyle handler won for an 11th time with subsequent Epsom hero Lambourn 12 months ago. With his stablemate Proposition going flat out in front, Benvenuto Cellini was able to relax in midfield under Ryan Moore before being allowed to move onto the leader’s tail rounded the home turn and he quickly went through the gears once fully given his head, pulling four and a quarter lengths clear in impressive style. Moore said: “He’s got a lovely pedigree and had good form last year. It’s nice to get him over a mile and a half and get a fresh start with him. “The race was a little disjointed with the horse taking back for second, but he quickened up well from the four (furlong) to the three before getting a little tired in the straight. He will come on for this and I’m very happy.” It was the first time Moore has linked up with the winner in racecourse action and he added: “I’ve sat on him a bit before (at home) and he’s a quality colt. “He was a good winner for Christophe (Soumillon) at Leopardstown and then didn’t like the bad ground at Doncaster. This was nice carrying a penalty which is not always easy, so I thought it was a good performance. “I’m not sure where he would be in the order right now. We have a couple of more horses to see and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do before Aidan will make his plan.” Benvenuto Cellini was cut to 9-4 market leader for the Derby with race sponsors Betfred and is now certain to line-up on the Surrey Downs in a bid to replicate Lambourn. Paul Smith of owners Coolmore said: “He was a classy juvenile and back on better ground today, stepping up in trip, Ryan was very happy with him. “I would certainly imagine he will be going to the Derby after that and he’s always been a very high-class horse who has shown a lot at home and has a beautiful stride on him. He’s got a really nice temperament and we’ve always been hopeful he would develop into a nice horse. “He will have learned a lot there and Ryan said he was very professional. “We’ve never had a Frankel win the Derby and I think he will definitely be in the mix for sure. “He was going to go to Epsom for the Blue Riband (Trial), but when that was delayed a week, Aidan decided to come here instead as it would educate him and he would learn a lot and that’s what happened there.” O’Brien was not on the Roodee, but told the Press Association from his Ballydoyle base: “We were delighted with that, Ryan seemed to be very happy with him and we think the experience will do him good. “That was always the plan (to go to Epsom), that was why we ran him here and everything went well. “Nicer ground helped him as he’s a good mover and he’s done well from two to three, so we’re very happy.” O’Brien is likely to have a clearer idea of just how strong his Derby hand is over the next eight days, with the trainer confirming Italy an intended runner at Lingfield on Saturday, Pierre Bonnard will bid to bounce back to form at Leopardstown on Sunday and Christmas Day could be his representative in next week’s Dante Stakes at York. “That’s what we’re thinking at the moment, so we’ll see how all that goes,” he added.
