Arrest continues fine Juddmonte form

Just a few days after Chaldean’s triumph in the Gr.1 2000 Guineas, another Frankel colt, Arrest earned a straightforward success in the Gr.3 Chester Vase Stakes over 12½ furlongs yesterday.

Taken from the European Bloodstock News, 11th May 2023:

Making his first start of the season, the three-year-old son of Frankel, trained by John and Thady Gosden, was held wide early by the eventual second Adelaide River. The running was made by Hadrianus, until three furlongs from home where Arrest swept past and began to assert. Adelaide River attempted to give pursuit up the inside but it soon became a hopeless task, as the son of Frankel stayed on well and was even eased down before the line. The winning distance was six and a half lengths, continuing the trend of wide-margin victories in the Chester Classic trials so far. Hadrianus was a further ten lengths behind Adelaide River, back in third.

Twice a winner at two, the colt finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 2000m last October. He again confirmed form with Adelaide River, who was six lengths adrift that day also. John Gosden hinted that Arrest’s participation in next month’s Classic would hinge on the going, saying: “He travelled well and he handled the conditions well. Frankie was anxious to stay in the fresh ground, so he stayed a little wide and in the straight he nearly took out the grandstand. He’s delightful and he’s gone and won well over the trip. He did a full mile and a half today out wide and we’ll leave all options open for Epsom."

He continued: “I think he enjoyed the ground today and if Epsom was fast I don’t think he’d enjoy that so much. That’s what the jockey felt, but there’s no reason he won’t be in the Derby at this stage.”

Bred by Swordlestown Little, he was a €440,000 purchase by Juddmonte at the 2020 Goffs November Foal Sale. He is a half-brother to the Gr.3 Centenary Vase winner and Gr.1-placed in Hong Kong Dinozzo and out of the unraced Intikhab mare Nisriyna. His dam is a half-sister to the dual Gr.3 winner and Gr.1 Nassau Stakes runner-up Narniyn.