Second favourite for the Cazoo Epsom Derby next month, High Definition for Aidan O'Brien made an impressive return to action in the Group Two Dante Stakes and his trainer is expecting him to come on a fair bit for that run.
The three year old has only been seen three times to date, but was one of the most remembered winners for O'Brien on his debut last season, when landing a maiden event over a mile at The Curragh.
High Definition was then sent into the Group Two Beresford Stakes, a race O'Brien has won 11 of the last 12 years with the likes of Capri, Japan and Saxon Warrior.
The colt was sent off as the favourite for the event and when going for home looked in big trouble being last of the pack, but he put in a superb final few furlongs to get up near the finish
It showed he was a Derby horse in the making getting better the further he went and having been pulled out of his return at Lingfield due to bad bloods, the Dante became one of his last chances to run before the big one at Epsom.
All roads lead to Epsom...
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) May 13, 2021
Hurricane Lane remains unbeaten and books his ticket for the Derby with a smart staying performance in the Group 2 Dante Stakes under William Buick for Charlie Appleby 🐎💨
👏🏼 Fine run from High Definition too!
📹 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/tQMIFUpVWe
He ran a cracker, taking a while to get going but when he did he was staying on better than any horse and getting an extra 2f in the Derby will suit him down to the ground.
Although it looks tough to beat his stablemate Bolshoi Ballet, High Definition looks a stayer in the making and his handler is expecting to come on leaps and bounds for that run.
(Credit ATR) He said: “High Definition is in good form. He hasn’t done much since York.
“I was very happy. Four days before he wasn’t going to run and he’ll come forward plenty.
“We always give them 10 days to two weeks to get back into full work and then see where they are. Ryan (Moore) was very happy with him.
“The pace died a bit in the middle and it might have suited if it had stayed strong.”
Currently 9/2 to land the fourth British Classic event of the season, the son of Galileo is one of the leading contenders and should not be overlooked according to the master of Ballydoyle.