Sir Dragonet put himself in the Derby picture as he turned the MBNA Chester Vase Stakes into a procession.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt only made his racecourse debut 13 days ago and after just a couple of furlongs in this Group 3 event, he was detached from the rest of the field.

Dashing Willoughby set a good gallop up front, with Technician one of the first under pressure after finding it too much, along with the winner’s better-fancied stablemate, Norway.

Donnacha O’Brien did not seem too concerned about what was happening in front of him on Sir Dragonet though, beginning to make his move with half a mile to run on the son of Camelot.

King Ottokar was still going well as he moved up on the outside, but Sir Dragonet, who won a Tipperary maiden by three lengths, left him standing.

Sent off at 13/2, Sir Dragonet streaked eight lengths clear as Norway stayed on into second.

The winner was introduced into the Derby betting at 8/1 by Paddy Power.

Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, said: “That was a lovely surprise. He was a big baby at home and that is why he was not entered in the Derby. I suppose the lads will look at it now and make a decision a week or two beforehand.

“He has a beautiful Galileo pedigree by Camelot. It is all there, but he was a baby at home and he obviously comes alive on the track. We needed to educate him as he just had the one run before and Aidan thought this was a good place to come.

“Donnacha loved him. He said he gave him a lovely feel and was very straightforward and when he asked him, he quickened well. He was on top of them very early, but he was pleasantly surprised.

“I remember Treasure Beach when he won here and he was about 33/1 for the Derby and he just got chinned on the line. It is real good ground here and he would have learned a lot there. It was only his second run and he took it all in his stride.

“The pedigree is strong and it wouldn’t be a hindrance at all, lovely good ground. He got through that well and I’m sure he would love good ground.

“This gives Aidan a fantastic yardstick now. It is good to get a sleeper as well and one you don’t know about. It is always a pleasant surprise. The big horses you get nervous, but with these it is a fact-finding mission. Hopefully we are lurking on one.”

Donnacha O’Brien said: “He was still quite raw and green so I let him follow them along for the first two furlongs, but they went a good pace up front and I could tell three or four out I was going to win.

“It was a case of not getting there too early. There was a big engine in there once you asked him.

“He has never shown a lot at home and some of these well-bred horses learn to go to sleep at home, but he obviously saves it for the track. He has a great pedigree by Camelot and he looks to be an exciting sire. He is one to look forward to."

OAKS WINNER

Mehdaayih spreadeagled the field to run out an impressive winner of the Arkle Finance Cheshire Oaks earlier in the day.

The listed race has provided the winner of the Oaks itself for the past two years with Enable winning in 2017 and Forever Together finishing second to Magic Wand 12 months ago.

However, trainer John Gosden and owners Emirates Park Pty Ltd would need to supplement Mehdaayih for the Classic as she is currently not entered.

She had shown a glimmer of her ability at Yarmouth last October when beating stablemate Fanny Logan, who she met again here, and William Haggas’ Maqsad, who is now one of the favourites for the Oaks after two wins this season. Mehdaayih then won on the all-weather by 14 lengths.

Sent off the 3/1 favourite, Rab Havlin settled her towards the rear of the field while Frankie Dettori chased the pace on Fanny Logan.

The field then fanned out in the straight, but Mehdaayih put the contest to bed in a matter of strides, sprinting clear to beat Manuela De Vega by four and a half lengths with Fanny Logan third.

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