Puppet Master just got the better of stable companion Stay True to win the William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.
It continued Aidan O’Brien’s domination of the trials in recent days, with the Ballydoyle handler also winning the Chester Vase and the Dee Stakes with Lambourn and Mount Kilimanjaro respectively, as well as the Cheshire Oaks and Lingfield Oaks Trial with Minnie Hauk and Giselle.
Ryan Moore pulled a mild surprise at declarations when his name appeared against Puppet Master rather than Stay True, as the latter had won his only start, while Puppet Master had only won one of four races.
O’Brien stated it was down to the experience factor and that ultimately proved crucial as the two began to pull clear.
Stay True did not look thoroughly straightforward on the way round but in the closing stages it was Puppet Master (4-5 favourite) who veered of a straight line.
Briefly, Stay True looked like he might get on top but Moore’s mount was in fact always doing enough and got the verdict by a short head.
Puppet Master was cut to 25-1 from 50s for the Derby by Betfair and Paddy Power, while Coral went 25-1 from 66s.
Moore said: “We fancied him in the Royal Lodge last year but he didn’t quite run his race that day.
“He had a nice run at Leopardstown and that experience and that run stood him in good stead for today, they are two good horses. It was only the experience that made me ride him, they are two nice ones.
“We’ve still got trials in Leopardstown and York and there’s France too, so we’ll see where they all stand.”
Coolmore’s Paul Smith said: “It’s been a great week and these are two lovely horses who hit the line hard.
“Ryan said Puppet Master relaxed well and is quite an uncomplicated horse. I think the deciding factor of Ryan riding him was that he had the greater experience.
“Richard (Kingscote) was very encouraged by Stay True. He said he’s still a bit of a baby on just a second run and will get the trip nicely.
“It was interesting that the further they went, the further they went clear of the third horse.
“We will see what happens, as we have runners in France and at York and there’s always the Irish Derby and Ascot as well as Epsom.
“The Delacroix form looks strong and we like him and the two that finished behind him. The Lion In Winter did a piece of work the other day and heads to the Dante.”
O’Brien was watching on from Naas, where he said: “I’m very happy with both.
“I was surprised the second horse was even up to it as he was a baby when he ran first time.
“Leopardstown was his first time away and I was afraid going to Lingfield, but I knew he had to go and run for experience. He ran a very good race.
“The other horse obviously loved going up to a mile-and-a-half. He travelled around very well and he was very nippy up the inside.
“The two of them fought to the line and they weren’t stopping.”
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