US Army Ranger fails to impress at Chester

US Army Ranger and Ryan Moore (dark blue) edge home in the MBNA Chester Vase from Port Douglas at Chester. Sourced from Racingfotos.com

The MBNA Chester Vase ended in controversy today after leading Investec Derby contender US Army Ranger scrambled to a short-head victory over less aggressively ridden stablemate Port Douglas.

The Chester stewards inquired as to whether Seamie Heffernan, the rider of the runner-up, had made enough effort in the Group 3 contest.

Forty minutes later, having interviewed the rider and Aidan O’Brien, the trainer of the protagonists, they were satisfied that no rules had been broken. No action was taken.

Heffernan made the running on Port Douglas but, having been narrowly headed, struck him just once inside the final furlong and gave his mount a hands-and-heels ride in the closing stages.

By contrast, Ryan Moore, who was also able to challenge up his inside, appeared to strike US Army Ranger six times.

US Army Ranger, the 4-11 favourite, had been touted as Ballydoyle No 1  hope for the Derby – the sixth race in the QIPCO British Champions Series.

However, he was receiving 4lb from Port Douglas and was all out to prevail. Bookmakers were not impressed and, despite the fact the pair pulled seven lengths clear, were unanimous in easing him.

Paddy Power pushed him out to 6-1, with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Midterm the new 7-2 market leader. Port Douglas is still available at 25-1.

And in a confusing market, Ladbrokes make Minding, the impressive QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner, 5-2 “with a run”.

“He’s still very babyish, he travelled really nicely and I just wanted to teach him,” Moore said of the winner. “When he got to the front he had a bit of a look, as the other horse came back he was just going to do enough.

“He’s a baby, it’s only his second run and he made his debut five weeks ago – he’ll learn plenty.

“I was probably a bit too kind to him when he first went there and he’s probably switched off on me.

“He didn’t know how to fight and he’ll learn a lot from that. Aidan’s other horse isn’t a bad horse, he’s a Group Two winner carrying a penalty – they are both decent horses.”

Earlier, Stoute had been able to cheer a smooth win for Cannock Chase in the Betway Huxley Stakes.

Moore always had Cannock Chase well placed and had little trouble picking off the early leaders. Western Hymn kept on well without threatening to challenge the winner.