 Dettori (centre) has had 12 winners in the last two weeks
Frankie Dettori rode Casamento to victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster to give trainer Mick Halford his first Group One win. The 2-1 favourite took the lead two furlongs from home and kept on to fend off Aidan O'Brien's 8-1 shot Seville. Another O'Brien-trained horse, Master of Hounds (15-2), was third. The race is traditionally regarded as a Derby trial, but afterwards Halford said Casamento "might have enough speed for the [2,000] Guineas". Dettori hailed the win as a "great performance", saying: "I'm delighted for [owner] Sheikh Mohammed and Mick, which is his first Group One. "I think he's probably a Derby horse, but we'll wait and see." Casamento, who now heads to Mohammed's Godolphin operation, had settled in behind leader Dubawi Gold in the early stages but after hitting the front only O'Brien's pair challenged as Dunboyne Express, a 4-1 starter, faded. Johnny Murtagh's mount, Master of Hounds, briefly closed on Casamento a furlong out and Seville belatedly surged in the final yards.  | 606: DEBATE |
However, Halford's colt was strong enough to hold them both off and take the post by three-quarters of a length. "He was idling a bit in front and looking for a bit of company," added Halford. "Frankie said he was always happy on him and kept finding every time a horse got near him. "He's a big, relaxed horse and only does what he has to do." Meanwhile at Aintree, Monet's Garden, with Dougie Costello on board, completed a hat-trick of wins in the Old Roan Chase. The 4-1 shot, a winner in 2007 and 2009, dictated from the front, and superb leaps over the final two fences ensured he withstood the challenge of the Paul Nicholls-trained Poquelin (7-2). The 15-8 favourite Tartak came third in the Grade Two contest.
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