Sport

High Baroque looks safe bet

HIGH BAROQUE can further dent the Chester Vase's reputation as a significant Derby trial with victory today

Tue May 07 1996 - 01:00

HIGH BAROQUE can further dent the Chester Vase's reputation as a significant Derby trial with victory today. No colt has taken this Group Three event and gone on to win at Epsom since Shergar in 1981, though Quest for Fame finished second en route to Epsom success in 1990.

But Luso's Italian Derby victory last year followed hot on the heels of Classic triumphs for recent winners Old Vie (French Derby) and Toulon (St Leger). This year's running should have more bearing on Europe than Epsom.

Quest For Fame's brother Air Quest has been widely tipped to emulate his sibling after a debut victory in a maiden at Newbury last month but he has much more to do here.

And his Newbury victim, Set Adrift, was well held in lesser company at Salisbury on Sunday. It looks safer to side with High Baroque who was not entered for Epsom and is being primed for a tilt at the Italian Derby in Rome.

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Michael Tabor's colt also created a favourable impression when scoring at the first time of asking at Nottingham early last month. But he has since underlined his promise with victory in a conditions event at Newbury, striding well clear in the final furlong to account for a field of Derby entrants by upwards of three and a half lengths.

For the best bet on the card it is worth waiting until the closing five furlong Prince of Wales Handicap. Secret Voucher looks set to make a winning return to the course where he made a very promising debut as a two year old last season, cutting a dash at the head of a useful field until tiring late on.

The colt confirmed that promise subsequently, showing plenty of early speed when making all at Ripon in the style of a good sprinter in the making.

He has continued on the upgrade this term and resumed winning ways at Warwick last month, showing up with pace from the start and getting the better of Montresar and Lady Caroline Lamb in a finish of heads.

Jovial Man can complete a four timer with victory in the Fosters Handicap Hurdle at Newton Abbot, where Prince Nasha could be the one to be on in the closing Courage Best Handicap Hurdle.