Buccellati lands Ormonde success

Buccellati and William Buick won by three lengths

Buccellati and William Buick claimed a notable victory in a bizarre running of the Ormonde Stakes at Chester.

Buick put his mount at the head of the field as the three runners barely broke sweat for the first mile.

Although the odds-on favourite Frozen Fire took the lead when they eventually quickened up five furlongs from home, he quickly faded.

It left Buccellati and Scintillo fighting it out for the line with Buccellati winning by three lengths.

The field for the Group Three race had been reduced to three runners with five withdrawals due to the fast ground and the manner of the race left many punters angry.

The odds on favourite Frozen Fire's jockey Johnny Murtagh dismounted to boos and heckles from punters who were unhappy with the slow early pace of the race.

A victorious Buick said afterwards: "I knew Richard Hughes (aboard Scintillo) wouldn't go on but I thought Johnny might and my horse has won a lot of races being held up.

"I took the initiative and controlled the race completely throughout.

"I was pleased with the way he quickened and knew three furlongs out that we would probably win."

Earlier, South Easter and Neil Callan survived a stewards inquiry to win the Dee Stakes.

John Egan, the jockey onboard the second-placed finisher Gitano Hernando lodged an objection but after lengthy discussions, the positions were left unaltered.

It was only South Easter's second run and as for running in the Epsom Derby, trainer William Haggas said: "The part-owner [Bernard Kantor] is the power behind Investec who now sponsor the Derby.

"I'll guess we'll have to talk about it over a good dinner.

"He's a realist. If it's right for the horse then he'd love to have a crack, I'm sure, but if it's not right for the horse he wouldn't dream of it.

"It was a good run. He's green but he's going to be a nice horse."

Ormonde Stakes

1. Buccellati (William Buick) 15-8
2. Scintillo (R Hughes) 6-1
3. Frozen Fire (J Murtagh) 8-11 Fav
3 ran

Dee Stakes
1. South Easter (N Callan) 6-1
2. Gitano Hernando (J F Egan) 7-2
3. Drumbeat (J Murtagh) 11-10 Fav
7 ran