Hidden Law (Ire)

On Wednesday May 8, 2024, as on all days, there were many things to be upset about: the conflagration in Gaza, the news from Ukraine, or a splash in The Guardian that said climate change is accelerating wildly. Into the bad news cycle too dropped the death of a beautiful horse, Hidden Law, who won a Derby trial at Chester exuberantly only to sustain a fatal injury just after the finishing post. Chester racecourse is a fragrant place, colourful and fizzy for its big May meeting. The sadness that settled...

There was a tragic postscript to Wednesday's G3 Boodles Chester Vase as Godolphin's Hidden Law (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) broke down shortly past the line having registered an emphatic success in the often-crucial Derby trial. Racing in fourth for the most part under William Buick, the Charlie Appleby-trained son of Secret Gesture (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) stormed by Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Agenda (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) 150 yards out en route to a three-length success before his cruel fatal injury. Runner-up on debut to Juddmonte's Cadogan Place (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at Southwell...

After the shell-shock of City Of Troy's performance in Saturday's 2000 Guineas still reverberating, the Derby has a much more open look than it did last week and so the focus on Chester's May Festival will be even keener than usual. Wednesday's G3 Boodles Chester Vase has supplied the Blue Riband hero twice since 2013 and with a record 10 successes it is clear that Aidan O'Brien has come to prioritise the trial for his Epsom hopefuls. Ryan Moore had the pick of a duo this time and has opted...

Ballysax S. winner Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}) and impressive Newbury maiden winner Hidden Law (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) feature among 69 entries for the G1 Derby at Epsom having been added at a cost of £12,000 at the second entry stage. Trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis as a juvenile, Dallas Star caused a 50/1 upset when making every yard of the running to claim Group 3 honours at Leopardstown on his first start for Adrian Murray. One of 22 Irish-trained entries for the richest race in Britain, Dallas...