Racing:Aidan O'Brien's Camelot was a facile winner of the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday. Despite only winning a maiden at odds of 1-3 on his only previous start the Ballydoyle vibes were such that he was sent off the 10-11 favourite on Town Moor.
The result never looked in doubt as Joseph O'Brien sat motionless on the son of Montjeu while those around him were in trouble. He was eventually nudged out for an easy two-and-a-quarter length victory with fellow Irish raider Zip Top (8-1) second.
The O'Brien stable second string Learn made the running, but set no more than a steady gallop, shadowed by Talwar with Zip Top handy in third place, and Camelot and Fencing at the back.
The pace quickened from three furlongs out with Camelot still travelling strongly, while his rivals were soon at full stretch.
The unbeaten colt looked a cut above as he eased to the head of affairs to put the race to bed in a matter of strides.
O'Brien junior, riding his first Group One winner in Britain, said: "I thought I was on the best horse in the race and he never really came off the bridle.
"I think he's a very smart horse, he was a bit keen in the first furlong as he hadn't raced for a while, but he won very easily."
Camelot has been cut into 3-1 favourite from 10s for the Derby next year with Sky Bet.
Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: "Although we have been here before with St Nicholas Abbey who never scaled the heights at three his brilliant Racing Post Trophy success promised, Camelot has matched his home reputation with an impressive display to propel himself to short-priced favouritism for next year's Derby."
The winning trainer said: "The data we were getting from him at home was showing up as something out of the ordinary. Although you are only reading that stuff, he still had to come here today and prove it.
"Joseph said he never had to get him near to top gear. He's a super-quick thinker with a lovely temperament and he's a joy to have anything to do with. He can do probably whatever you want. The boys will make the decision (about where he runs), but you saw the speed."
Bolger was pleased with his Sheikh Mohammed-owned colt and expects him to be moved on to the Godolphin team for next season.
Bolger said: "The winner is obviously a very smart horse. Our horse has run a good race and I think he's entitled to improve. I think he'll find improvement into next year.
"You have to bring them to a Group One to see what they're made of."
Regarding plans for next year, he added: "I don't think it will be up to me. I'd imagine he'll be going to Dubai and it will be up to the people at Darley."
Fencing's trainer, John Gosden, said: "We've been beaten by an exceptional horse who was in a class of his own.
"I think we've got a horse who is a nice horse, but he's a horse for next year."