Derby second and third delight connections

/ Editor / 03 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Vodafone Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain has plenty of options open to him after his game effort in finishing five lengths behind Authorized on Saturday.

Last year's Beresford Stakes winner made up a tremendous amount of ground from Tattenham Corner to finish best of the rest, and indeed best of the Aidan O'Brien octet, a fact which pleased owner Derrick Smith.

"He ran a fantastic race. He was probably a bit further back than we liked but the winner is a very good horse and, wherever we were, I don't think we would have beaten him," said Smith.

"We were absolutely delighted with that though, and we can look forward to some big-race wins with him now.

The St Leger has already been mentioned for son of Rock Of Gibraltar, whilst the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Coral Eclipse could be possibilities.

Eagle Mountain can be backed at 38 for the Royal Meeting this month, whilst 17.5 is the current best price on the Betfair antepost market for Sandown's Group 1 contest.

Meanwhile Derby third Aqaleem could be heading to the St Leger after trainer Marcus Tregoning expressed his delight with the three-year-old's effort.

"I'm thrilled with Aqaleem," said Tregoning. "He tried all the way through the race and I thought he was going to win.

"We would rather have won, but I couldn't be more delighted with him. He is going to get better as a four-year-old. He's got the frame and needs to furnish.

"Ascot might come too quick, but long-term the St Leger is a race for him."