Teofilo team target Classic double
Teofilo team target Classic double21 Mar 2007Irish trainer Jim Bolger has his sights on the Stan James 2000 Guineas/Vodafone Derby double with unbeaten colt Teofilo.
Last season's champion juvenile is ante-post favourite for both Newmarket and Epsom Classics thanks to a stunning first campaign which saw him unbeaten in five races, including the National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes.
Bolger said: "He's in very good form and well on target for Newmarket. He's the same height this year as he was last year so he hasn't grown, he has just filled out."
He added: "He will go straight to Newmarket and that will tell us where we go after but obviously we will have Epsom in mind. The Guineas is often the best trial for the Derby anyway."
A total of 165 horses remain in the Derby on June 2 following the first forfeit stage, including 55 from Ireland -- 38 hailing from the Aidan O'Brien stable.
The Ballydoyle trainer's strong hand includes 2005 Epsom hero Motivator's brother Macarthur, an easy winner of a Navan maiden, Criterium International scorer Mount Nelson, Royal Lodge Stakes victor Admiralofthefleet and Beresford Stakes winner Eagle Mountain.
The highly-promising Anton Chekhov and Vintage Stakes runner-up Duke Of Marmalade are other possibles from the O'Brien camp. The all-conquering trainer will be seeking his third triumph in the blue riband after Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002).
A 13-strong Godolphin team includes Empire Day, Eastern Anthem and Strobilus.
Sir Michael Stoute has saddled four Derby winners and will be looking for a fifth with one of his dozen hopefuls that include Adagio and Al Shemali. Another four-time winning trainer, Henry Cecil, has Ajaan and Many Volumes.
Peter Chapple-Hyam, who struck with Dr Devious in 1992, has Racing Post Trophy winner Authorized, while Marcus Tregoning could saddle Lingfield maiden scorer Aajel as he tries to follow up last year's success with Sir Percy.
source:attheraces.com
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