3 minute read

Beckett unearths another Classic contender, but Aidan O'Brien's Rubies Are Red attracts plenty of support in Epsom betting after her fast-finishing second.

Just three days on from claiming the Cheshire Oaks with Forest Fairy, Ralph Beckett unearthed another Epsom contender when You Got To Me went pillar to post in the Listed Lingfield trial on Saturday afternoon.

Seven fillies' went to post for the Epson trial at a sunny Lingfield Park, with the John and Thady Gosden-trained Danielle sent off the 6/4 market leader on the back of her visually impressive Wetherby novice success.

The daughter of Nathaniel raced enthusiastically throughout the early stages and soon found herself with a healthy advantage. Hector Crouch quickly made the decision to allow his filly to stride on out in front and the pair opened up a sizeable lead. Her stride began to shorten entering the straight but even though the challengers were queuing up to have a crack throughout much of the Lingfield straight, You Got To Me continued to find plenty for pressure and went on to land the spoils by a diminishing half a length from the fast-finishing Rubies Are Red.

The winner was cut to 16/1 (from 50s) by bookmakers Paddy Power, but punters were seemingly keen to latch onto the performance of the runner-up, who was made a 7/1 chance by BetVictor.

"She has a lot of talent. I was a passenger for the first six furlongs, she likes to get in a fight, and you have to try and not to argue back with her," explained the winning rider Hector Crouch.

"I was out of control until we rounded the first bend, and she had a look at the hill. She did everything nicely from the six (furlong) to the three and was very game in the finish."

"Her class showed in the last furlong. She's overcome a lot there and she'll be more relaxed for getting a run under her belt. There's plenty of improvement to come from her."

Beckett, who was landing the prize on a fourth occasion, added: "It all came together. I was pretty sure we'd handle the track, and it was just a question if she was good enough."

"She was very settled in the prelims and knows her own mind. I think Epsom will suit her well."

Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley said of the runner-up: "Ryan said he couldn't get her going down the hill, which meant he had extra ground to make up.

"But it was a new experience for her, and we would be happy with that."