By Peter Moore at Epsom Downs Tuesday 22nd April 2025
A further visit to Epsom is on the radar for the connections of Sea Scout, after the outsider of the seven runners narrowly denied Trinity College in the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial.
The Sea The Stars colt took up the running inside the final furlong under Harry Davies to go on and win by a head, with the runner up hanging left.
Sea Scout had to survive a stewards enquiry into interference between the first two home.
“We’ve always loved him,” said joint-trainer Simon Crisford. “He’s always looked as if he possesses plenty of talent and he’ll stay a mile and a half. He’s in the Dante and the Derby, so we’ll let the dust settle and make a plan. We’re happy with that and he’s a promising colt for the future.
“He was the outsider but he wasn’t that price in our book. He’s always a bit sleepy so you can’t judge him on what he does in the mornings but we felt he had a nice chance. He’s got a proper pedigree for the big one in June, stays the trip and appeared to like the track so there’s plenty of positives.”
Davies, made it a double on the day after steering the David Menuisier trained City Of Delight to victory in the City & Suburban handicap run over 1m 2f.
The four-year-old followed up his victory at Doncaster 23 days ago by scoring by half a length from Rathgar.
“I wasn’t sure he handled the track until he hit the rising ground in the last 50 metres,” said Menuisier. “He looked like getting swamped but then he flew and ran on well. I’m proud of him. He did it the hard way but he’s so consistent. He’s so easy to train and has all the traits of a good horse.
“I think it would make sense to come back here for a handicap on Oaks day next month or to step him up to a mile and a half. I think he’s craving a step up in trip but he keeps winning over this one so I’m happy to take my time.”
The consistent Asgard’s Captain took the honours in the 1m 4f Great Metropolitan handicap with a cosy four and a half length win for the successful Quest Thoroughbreds syndicate.
The five-year-old finished third in the Northern Dancer handicap on Derby day last year off the same mark of 84 under John Egan.
“His dad rode him to finish third in the Northern Dancer on Derby day last season so I texted David last night and said all you need to do is get instructions from your dad because Asgard’s Captain can be quite a handful,” said trainer Dylan Cunha.
“David gave him a cracking ride. That was his Derby today and he’s done well. Believe it or not he’s going to the Northumberland Plate then he could go hurdling. We’re two from two over jumps this season. We schooled him over hurdles recently and he was brilliant. He’s an absolute legend and really versatile.”
The opener on the card went to the in form yard of Archie Watson, with Hollie Doyle steering top weight Spartan Arrow to a comfortable 2 ½ length success.
Debutant looked the part on his first effort under rules by landing the mile novice stakes with Oisin Murphy aboard.
Fresh from being crowned AW champion jockey, Billy Loughnane bagged a winner on the turf after riding Celeborn to a two length success for the George Boughey yard.