RACING YORK REPORT:AIDAN O'BRIEN was referred to the British Horseracing Authority after reportedly refusing to allow officials to examine Cape Blanco following his win in the Dante Stakes at York yesterday.

The Ballydoyle trainer watched from Tipperary as Cape Blanco galloped to second-favouritism for the Epsom Derby, after which rumours circulated about his well-being.

Television pictures appeared to show the colt being lame and stiff, but representatives from Ballydoyle and Coolmore insisted the horse was fine.

In an attempt to settle the matter, stipendiary steward Robert Earnshaw and BHA vet Lynn Hillyer spoke to O’Brien by phone, but he was said to have refused for the winner to be examined and declined an invitation for his travelling head lad, Pat Keating, to meet the stewards.

“Our vet is down at the stables but Mr O’Brien has refused to have the horses trotted up in front of the vet,” Earnshaw said. “The lad has loaded the horse up and is heading for the airport.

“Mr O’Brien also refused a request for the stable lad to be interviewed by the stewards, so the matter has been referred to the British Horseracing Authority under Rule B 83, which states that persons must comply with any instruction given by stewards at a race meeting.”

Cape Blanco had warmed up for the Derby with victory in the all-important Dante Stakes – but it was stablemate St Nicholas Abbey who was all the rage for the Epsom Classic in the immediate aftermath.

With nine winners since 1958 completing the Dante-Derby double, bookmakers reacted to the O’Brien-trained Cape Blanco’s taking success by initially installing him as the second-favourite for the blue riband on June 5th, before speculation of his well-being surfaced.

St Nicholas Abbey, the dazzling Racing Post Trophy winner, may have failed to fire in the 2,000 Guineas, but even stable jockey Johnny Murtagh was staying loyal after steering Cape Blanco to victory.

Cape Blanco was unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile and the 9 to 2 chance emerged as the convincing trial winner purists have craved as he pulled three-and-a- quarter lengths clear of Workforce to provide O’Brien with his fourth Dante win – and his first in Britain this year after 15 consecutive losers.

Murtagh was delighted with the win, but St Nicholas Abbey remained at the front of his mind.

“He (Cape Blanco) has got what it takes, but if the St Nicholas Abbey who ran at Doncaster turns up at Epsom then the rest are playing for places,” said Murtagh.

“Cape Blanco is unbeaten in four starts and is a very good horse. He is up there in the top four three-year-olds at Ballydoyle.

“You all know what I think about St Nicholas Abbey, but this guy has been there and done it in a very good trial and he is genuine and tough.

“I can’t be 100 per cent sure but I do think he will stay. The Dante is a good trial for the Derby and let’s hope that can continue.

“While I am not sure about a mile and a half, he will handle anything that Epsom will present.”

Workforce, a once-raced Goodwood maiden winner, made his seasonal reappearance and Michael Stoute’s inexperienced colt looks sure to improve on his second-place finish.

Stoute said: “I’m sure he’ll be better with some cut in the ground.”

Coordinated Cut kicked for home down the home straight but the recent Newmarket winner was headed a furlong out and Jamie Spencer’s mount weakened back to third.

The disappointment of the race was undoubtedly Godolphin’s Chabal, who looked a world apart form the horse who won the Sandown Classic Trial last month, finishing 16 lengths adrift of Coordinated Cut in fourth.

Jockey Frankie Dettori said: “I can’t put my finger on it. He was beaten four (furlongs) out. A good horse like that can’t be that far wrong.”