Nelson claims Criterium victory
Mount Nelson staked his claim for Classic honours next term with a cosy success in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien already has top juvenile Holy Roman Emperor to look forward to in 2007, but Mount Nelson added his name to the list of possible stars with a head victory over Spirit One.
With first-choice rider Kieren Fallon currently in Australia preparing for Yeats’ run in the Emirates Melbourne Cup, Seamus Heffernan stepped in for the mount on the Rock Of Gibraltar colt, who won a Curragh maiden last week.
Dominique Boeuf set out to make all on Spirit One and he was still in front turning for home in the mile contest while Mount Nelson was cruising in behind for Heffernan.
British raider Rallying Cry launched a bold bid down the inside in the straight but Mount Nelson breezed between the two to take it up nearing the final furlong.
Spirit One proved most game and tried to get back in front but Mount Nelson always had the move covered and just kept on to claim the £98,517 first prize.
The winner’s stablemate, Yellowstone, finished fast in the final few yards to claim third a length and a half away.
William Hill make Mount Nelson a 20-1 shot for next year’s Vodafone Derby while BetDirect make him a 16-1 chance.
O’Brien said: “He’s a colt I like very much. He’s improving and we will look towards the Classics next year – either the English or French Guineas.”
After briefly challenging, John Gosden’s Rallying Cry faded into fifth while Eoghan O’Neill’s Vital Equine was eighth with the Mark Johnston-trained Teslin last of the 10 runners.
