Sport

Chapple-Hyam delays decision on entries for Doncaster

Peter Chapple-Hyam has yet to make a decision as to whether Bienamado or Commander Collins - or both - will represent his Manton…

Wed Oct 21 1998 - 01:00

Peter Chapple-Hyam has yet to make a decision as to whether Bienamado or Commander Collins - or both - will represent his Manton yard in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday.

Chapple-Hyam has entered the pair for the Group One juvenile test, but each has an alternative engagement, Commander Collins in the Group Three Vodafone Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury this Friday, and Bienamado in the Group One Criterium de Saint Cloud eight days later.

And while running plans for Commander Collins depend largely on the weather - soft ground at either venue would appear to prevent his running, as it did in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp earlier in the month - Chapple-Hyam has been unable to discuss running plans with John Toffan, owner of Bienamado.

"I still haven't made a decision," Chapple-Hyam said yesterday. "I couldn't get hold of Mr Toffan, and I don't think he will be back until tomorrow.

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"Commander Collins could still go to Newbury. We could make a decision on Thursday at the latest, and we pulled him out of the French race because it was too soft."

But while Chapple-Hyam has yet to reach a firm decision, Coral punters have pre-empted him by lending strong support to Commander Collins, second to Auction House in the Group Two Intercall Communications Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last month.

The Barking firm, who opened for business on Monday offering 3 to 1 Bienamado and 9 to 2 Commander Collins, yesterday slashed the latter to 9-4 favourite, easing Bienamado, their 14 to 1 market leader for the 1999 Vodafone Derby, out to 7 to 2.

"Punters have well and truly steamed into Commander Collins, which must suggest he's an intended runner on Saturday," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.

Rhapsodist, runner-up to Commander Collins in a Listed race at Newmarket in July, is unlikely to make it to Town Moor at the weekend owing to unsuitable ground conditions.

The going is currently described as "good" but Rhapsodist's trainer John Gosden said at Yarmouth yesterday: "I think it is unlikely, given the ground up there."

Yorkshire has taken to his new surroundings in Flemington, Australia, ahead of his challenge for the Melbourne Cup there on November 3rd, according to his trainer Paul Cole. The four-year-old son of Generous, fifth to Tuning in the Tote Ebor at York in August on his latest start, is a 40 to 1 chance with to win the Melbourne Cup.