Gutsy Mickdaam gives Fahey Derby prospects
The Roodee
Friday 11 May 2012
Related articles
An odds-on favourite already bestrides the Epsom betting, and the flat-out success of Mickdaam in the trial staged across the mire here yesterday did nothing to alter that.
The colt he thwarted, however, may yet intrude on the Triple Crown dreams of those already marking down the Investec Derby for Camelot.
After taking time to find his feet in the MBNA Chester Vase, Model Pupil would have nailed Mickdaam in another stride. Their riders had no idea who had won the day, but Michael Hills could at least later console himself that his mount had proved his eligibility for a very different type of challenge.
In truth, if he could get so close to a rival as seasoned as Mickdaam, careering round these bends in May, then Model Pupil will surely be a force to be reckoned with down the long, galloping straight at Doncaster in September. The sponsors duly introduced him at 16-1 for the Ladbrokes St Leger.
In the meantime, the jockey and trainer of Mickdaam will eagerly embrace the odds against him at Epsom, broadly assessed at 33-1 by the bookmakers. This colt was last month restored to Richard Fahey's Malton yard by Mike De Kock, the South African trainer who had custody of him in Dubai during the winter. Fourth in the UAE Derby, Mickdaam had looked ready for this longer trip when running well on his return at the Craven meeting.
Sure enough, matching the pugnacious style of Tony Hamilton in the saddle, yesterday he saw off the two Irish raiders in the straight before holding Model Pupil's late charge by a nose.
"Not bad," Fahey mused. "A little northern lad like me having a runner in the Derby." If nothing else, it is gratifying to see him finally training for the Maktoum family – the colt is owned by Sheikh Mohammed's cousin – and Hamilton in the frame for a maiden Classic ride. Having won the Lincoln on the first day of the campaign, the jockey is certainly making the most of Paul Hanagan's departure from Malton to ride for Sheikh Hamdan.
"I always knew it might be a big season for me," Hamilton said. "I've been with Richard for 10 years, and with Paul taking the big job I knew someone would have to ride the horses. I didn't know it would be me, but I hoped so. This horse does know how to fight, and that's what he did all the way."
As for Model Pupil, Charlie Hills may have a colt competent to fill the tragic void left by the loss of Gray Pearl at Newmarket last weekend. "Michael said they stacked up in the back, and it just took him a while to get going, but that he was gaining all the time," the young trainer said. "He's very gutsy and get the Leger trip."
The other Group race on the card was also won by a desert migrant. Marcret, who had joined Marco Botti from his Italian homeland for a Dubai campaign, was entered for a sale last week but bought privately by Dr Marwan Koukash when he realised that the Betfair Huxley Stakes would close first.
"I had never seen the horse before today," said the owner, whose expanding string is so focused on this meeting. "But I was desperate for a runner in this race." As it happened, his filly, Myplacelater, finished second – but he can only have liked what he saw of Marcret, both before and during the race.
For Botti, this was a timely tonic before the unbeaten Kingsdesire takes on Bonfire, the nearest rival to Camelot in the Derby market, in today's Stobart Barristers Dee Stakes.
Turf Account
Chris McGrath's Nap
Imperial Djay (1.35 Chester) From a stable in form, this course winner handles bad ground and is likely to exploit a fair mark, shaping well when set plenty to do last time.
Next best
Bunraku (4.15 Chester) Travelled strongly in Newmarket debut race whose form is working out well, and ran as though she will like this shorter distance.
One to watch
Escape To Glory (Mikael Magnusson) was only 19th in a Newmarket sprint on Sunday but moved powerfully until badly hampered and eased.
Where the money's going
Converted jump jockey Graham Lee is now 7-4 with William Hill to ride 50 winners during the Flat turf season.
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford
A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...
by Gareth Purnell
18 May 2013 02:01 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim
I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...
by Martin Ayres
16 May 2013 05:10 PM
PSG and the French league must be more proactive in dealing with hooliganism
Since PSG’s exit to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final in April, PSG have been sur...
by Matthew Riding
15 May 2013 02:37 PM
-
Tears and cheers as David Beckham ends glittering career after helping PSG to final win
-
Video: Emotional David Beckham leaves the pitch for 'the last time'
-
Manuel Pellegrini has pedigree to be success story at Manchester City
-
Another nail-biting finish for unlucky Tottenham as Arsenal look to secure Champions League place on last day
-
Boxing: Carl Froch slams fellow Brits for sparring with Mikkel Kessler
- 1 Heading for America? Prepare for the longest US immigration queues ever
- 2 Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?
- 3 You thought Ryanair's attendants had it bad? Wait 'til you hear about their pilots
- 4 David Cameron goes to war with newspapers over 'swivel-eyed loons' slur
- 5 It’s official: thanks to Stephen Hawking's Israel boycott, anti-Semitism is no more
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Independent Dating
Career Services
iJobs General
SAP FI-CA Consultant - up to £58k
£50000 - £58000 per annum + Benefits and Bonus: Progressive Recruitment: SAP F...
PHP/ Drupal Developer - £35k - WC
£30000 - £40000 per annum + BENS: Progressive Recruitment: Drupal Developer A ...
C# WEB DEVELOPER
£45000 - £50000 per annum + bens: Progressive Recruitment: C# WEB DEVELOPER Le...
WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) - North East - 6 Months
£240 - £260 per day: Progressive Recruitment: WPF Developer (C#, VB.Net) North...
Day In a Page
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes
Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save




Comments