Ed Bethell is set to aim for the first Oviedo winner in the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on Wednesday, the opening day of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival in York.
Owned by Mrs Fiona Carmichael and Ballylinch Stud, the well-bred colt of Lope De Vega and a mare Galileo looked like a smart prospect when he showed up and delivered by a length and a quarter in a novice seven stadiums at Doncaster three weeks ago.
Middleham-based coach Bethell said: “He took it all in his stride. He always worked like a pretty good horse, but you never know until they go and kind of make it on the racetrack. He accelerated like a gentle horse – I hope the future looks bright for him.
Oviedo has since made the home crowd happy and Bethell hopes the two-year-old’s next assignment will be Group 3 at £150,000 on the Knavesmire.
He’s part of an eye-catching 19-person entry that includes Nostrum, another who made a thrilling debut triumphing at Sandown, and other first-time winners such as Godolphin’s Local Dynasty and Fort Defense formed by Peter Chapple-Hyam. .
Bethell said: “He did very well in the race at Doncaster. He worked last Saturday against a couple of horses. He was working really well, much better than he had done before his novice. And he’s in good shape, I think.
“We will really find out how good he is on Wednesday if we decide to run him. It looks like a fancy race, on the entries anyway. Hopefully there might be some rain forecast Monday and Tuesday.”
Bethell has a few other entries on the first day of the Festival in the form of Sandbeck and rock of englandD. Sandbeck, owned by David Armstrong, has been the most progressive this season, winning three of its four starts. She was last out at Doncaster on July 1 when landing a five furlongs handicap by one and a half lengths.
Three-year-old filly Ardad is now on course for Celebrate ITM’s 200th IRE Voucher Winner Fillies’ Handicap over the same distance as her last two outings.
Bethell said: “She’s been working really well and that’s kind of been her goal for the summer since her last race. She is fine. I hope it will be a good ground for her.”
The trainer has others running during the week and had positive word for Coil Rosiewho – all is well – will contest the mile and a quarter Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies Handicap next Friday.
Like many Yorkshire-based trainers, Bethell is keen to have horses to race at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. And he added: “I just hope one of them hits the mark!”
More from Sporting Life
safer play
We are committed to supporting safer gaming. Recommended bets are advised for those over 18 and we strongly encourage readers to bet only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
You can find help and additional information at begambleaware.org and gamingtherapy.org.
#Oviedo #targets #Acomb #Stakes #York #Ebor #Festival