Pease’s Bravodino An Interesting Derby Contender

Until Andre Fabre’s Pour Moi surged to victory in the 2011 Investec Derby at Epsom, French raiders had endured a torrid time on the Surrey Downs, but hopes are high that they could make their presence felt once again this term.

The Jonathan Pease-trained Bravodino may well prove to be a more than interesting candidate for the premier classic contest.

Since Empery’s 1976 Derby success under Lester Piggott, the French had really struggled at Epsom until Pour Moi broke the 35 year Gallic drought.

With Fabre’s Ocovango already a potential contender to follow in the hoofprints of his illustrious stable companion, the prospect of Bravodino also crossing the Channel for the feature race gives the French a sporting chance of a second success in just three years.

Bravodino made his racecourse bow very late on last term in a maiden event at Saint Cloud on November 1 when he found no less a horse than Ocovango (currently 20/1 shot for Epsom with Betfair horse racing, two-and-a-half lengths too good for him on the heavy ground.

The winner has already gone on to win his only subsequent start in the listed Prix Francois Mathet at the same track in March, giving the form a solid look.

Bravodino, a half-brother to the 2003 Epsom Derby winner, Kris Kin, already looks a horse who needs the Derby trip of 12 furlongs.

He showed his appreciation for more of a trip when easily accounting for Galveston by three-lengths back at Saint Cloud on April 3, leaving his owners – the Niarchos Family – dreaming of a potential bid for the showcase Epsom event, for which the Timeform Daily has him at 50/1.

Pease will look for a suitable trial in which to test his Dynaformer colt, and should he come through that race with flying colours he may well represent a serious French challenge for the most English of sporting prizes.