Derby dreams fade for disappointing Rougemont

14th May, 2012 - Posted by Elliot Slater - Comments Off

Richard Hannon’s Rougemont appeared to have a decent chance of booking himself a ticket for a place in the starting line-up for the Group1 Investec Derby at Epsom on June 2 after his previous form this term was boosted at Chester this week, but a poor run in finishing only fifth to Main Sequence in the Group 3 Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday seems to have put paid to him taking his chance in the showcase event, writes Elliot Slater.

The Montjeu colt’s half-length defeat of the race fit Mickdaam in the £250,000 Tattersalls Millions Trophy at Newmarket’s Craven meeting looked good after the battling success of the runner-up at Chester’s May fixture where the Richard Fahey-trained colt just got the better of Model Pupil in the Group 3 Chester Vase. Punters at Betfair Horse Races appeared to have taken the view that Rougemont’s subsequent defeat when a distant third of four to Imperial Commander at Sandown on bottomless ground was as much down to the going as any other factor and still considered him a possible classic candidate.

Sent off a quietly supported 13/2 chance in the Derby Trial at Lingfield, Rougemont was close enough if good enough over two furlongs from home but quickly came under pressure from Pat Dobbs and faded fast down the home straight, eventually trailing in a well beaten 10-length fifth behind the useful Main Sequence. It may well be that we have already seen the best of the Montjeu colt this term and that he could have been flattered by his Newmarket success earlier in the campaign.

Many bookmakers have now removed Rougemont from the Epsom Derby Betting ante-post list while those that have left him in the betting rate Hannon’s charge a 50/1 chance. It is unlikely, based on his Lingfield flop, that there will be many takers at that price.