Racing

Run For Oscar routs rivals to earn Cesarewitch success for Charles Byrnes

Chaldean prevails in Dewhurst Stakes for Andrew Balding and Frankie Dettori

Run for Oscar ridden by David Egan on the way to winning Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA Wire
Run for Oscar ridden by David Egan on the way to winning Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket. Photograph: Tim Goode/PA Wire
Sat Oct 08 2022 - 18:13

Run For Oscar was a comfortable winner of the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket. Ridden by David Egan for Irish trainer Charles Byrnes, the 4-1 shot was eased into the race and challenged with half a mile left to cover.

From there he worked his way through the field to find himself in a clear lead a furlong from home, eventually passing the post three lengths ahead of the runner-up, Vino Victrix with the veteran Not So Sleepy third, both trained by Hughie Morrison.

The seven-year-old was racing off an 8lb higher mark than when an easy winner at Haydock last time out but he clearly had plenty more up his sleeve.

Byrnes said: “The plan was to arrive there at the two-furlong marker, so I suppose that’s why he [Egan] took a pull at the three.

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“The race had been laid out for him. We decided not to go to the Curragh [for the Irish Cesarewitch] as we felt this track would suit him better. The plan came off on this occasion – they don’t always.

“He had a very good preparation – everything went smoothly. The plan during the summer was to go to Galway for the big amateur race and he got balloted out. After that we said we needed to win somewhere to get in here, so we took him to Haydock and it worked out.

“He got a very smooth run through and when I saw his noose peeping through I said ‘it would be hard to see him beat him from here’, but you never know either.

“They [Top Of The Hill Syndicate] have been the most tremendous owners. They’ve always left it to me, never a crossed word and they deserve every bit of success they get.”

Considering future plans, Byrnes added: “He could go back over hurdles. He’d look to have a nice hurdles mark now, my son [Philip Byrnes] could take off 7lb and that race at Haydock [Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, in November] jumps into my mind straight away.

“Whatever he does after today is a bonus for this year anyway.”

Chaldean made most of the running to win the Darley Dewhurst Stakes for Andrew Balding and Frankie Dettori.

The Juddmonte-owned colt followed in the footsteps of his sire, Frankel, when cruising up the inside rail as the 5-2 joint-favourite.

He was pursued all the way by the runner-up, Paul and Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman, but it was Balding’s youngster who prevailed at the line by a head to take the Group One with Nostrum back in third.

It capped a topsy-turvy day for Dettori who had a nasty fall in the opening race but thankfully walked away unscathed.

Balding was emulating his father, Ian, who won the race on multiple occasions but most famously with the brilliant Mill Reef in 1970.

Balding said: “Frankie has given him a fantastic ride and all credit to him. Frankie is the reason we came here because after Doncaster he was adamant this was the race for him. He’s played his part massively.

“The horse has won a nice collection of races and the nice thing is he’s so relaxed, he should go on next year and certainly stay a mile, so we have a lot to look forward to.

“The Dewhurst is an amazing race to win – it’s the most important two-year-old race of the year. My father won it with Mill Reef [1970] and Silly Season [1964] and Dashing Blade [1989], so I’ve got a bit of catching up to do!

“This is our first season training for Juddmonte and I think this horse was the first one in. It’s a huge privilege when you get sent horses like him by the stallions they have access to – it’s a dream.

“This horse has been very smart from early on. We thought he was really good in the spring and early summer. He got beaten first time out, but since then he’s gone on and on and actually he’s got less smart at home as he’s got smarter on the racecourse, which is just how you want it really.

“He keeps finding and he’s an absolute star. I’m thrilled.”

Whether Chaldean will run before next year’s 2000 Guineas, for which he was cut to 8-1 from 12-1 by Paddy Power, remains to be seen.

“We’ll see how we go in the spring, but I think anything is possible,” Balding added.

“I think I’d be comfortable going straight to the Guineas, but we can make that decision nearer the time.

“He’s all speed on his dam’s side, so I’d be surprised if he got further than a mile.”

Dettori told ITV Racing: “He fluffed the start, but luckily I was able to get him up there, and then I shot clear and I thought ‘I’ve got it in the bag’.

“I think he lost his concentration a bit – he was all on his own – and Jim [Crowley, on Royal Scotsman] came late and fast and caught him [Chaldean] by surprise, but luckily the line was there.

“I was nothing but impressed when I rode him at Doncaster. The first thing I said to Andrew was ‘Dewhurst’, and he obliged.

“He’s a proper Guineas horse – we can dream now for next year.”