Connections of Epsom Derby hope Arod take cautious approach
Connections of Arod are keen to "let the dust settle" before committing to targets but the Dante remains a possibility.
Last Updated: 15/04/14 1:41pm
Third at Kempton on his only appearance as a juvenile, Peter Chapple-Hyam's Teofilo colt was backed as though defeat was out of the question upon his return to action.
Although he pulled fiercely for much of the 10-furlong journey, Arod picked up strongly in the closing stages to seal a five-length victory under Jamie Spencer, earning him quotes of 33-1 for the Investec Derby at Epsom in June.
Chapple-Hyam, who has trained two previous Derby winners in Dr Devious (1992) and Authorized (2007), was unsurprisingly keen to play down the hype on Monday.
David Redvers, racing manager for the owners Qatar Racing, is similarly in no rush to get carried away at this stage.
He said: "It was a smart performance. He got a bump early on in the race, which lit him up, so I think we'll be treating him with kid gloves to ensure he benefits from the experience, rather than gets lit up by it.
"We'll let the dust settle, I'll have a chat with Peter and Sheikh Fahad and see where we go from here. No decisions have been made at this stage.
"He could go quietly into a conditions race somewhere, or he could go for the Dante (York, May 15), we'll just have to wait and see."
Redvers revealed some members of Chapple-Hyam's team feel the three-year-old compares favourably with unraced stable companion Hydrogen, who was the most expensive yearling bought anywhere in the world in 2012, costing Qatar Racing £2.5million.
"It has long been the talk in Peter's yard that Arod is pretty smart," said Redvers.
"I think half the yard were in the Arod camp and half the camp were in the Hydrogen camp, so it's nice at least one of them has come out and shown he's got it."