AIDAN O’BRIEN has issued an update on controversial Epsom Derby non-runner Benvenuto Cellini – after the ‘extraordinary’ decision to scratch him from the race sparked meltdown.
BHA stewards decided the Derby favourite had been denied a fair start when he got his leg stuck in the stalls.
Jockey Ryan Moore actually finished the race on the Ballydoyle star but it was after that he was .
The decision, which the BHA has staunchly defended, has sparked uproar among some and it continues to rumble on following Saturday’s race.
Matt Chapman wrote about it in his Sun Racing column where he said .
Thankfully, O’Brien has confirmed the horse is none the worse for his mishap.
The Chester Vase winner got one of his hind legs trapped in the board within the stall and was slow leaving the gate.
However, it doesn’t appear to have done him in any harm and he is back in Ireland resting up for his next race.
O’Brien told the Racing Post : “Benvenuto seems fine, he’s been 100 per cent since he got home.
“We didn’t learn anything about him at all at Epsom. It wasn’t conclusive in any way.”
On future targets, O’Brien said he will likely get the chance to right his Epsom wrong in the Irish Derby on June 28.
Benvenuto Cellini could face Derby hero Christmas Day in the Curragh Group 1, who O’Brien also confirmed took the stamina-sapping 1m4f contest in the mud well.
The Ballydoyle contingent may meet Owen Burrows’ hugely promising Shadwell star Raaheeb there.
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