Dee-day for Tajaaweed

Derby on the agenda for Chester winner

Last updated: 9th May 2008

Tajaaweed came with a powerful late run to snatch a thrilling victory for Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Hills in the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes.

The Henry Cecil-trained Unnefer made a race-winning move over a furlong out but Hills got a good late run out of his willing companion and got up in the shadow of the post to land odds of 5/1.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Achill Island took third five lengths away while Godolphin's Alexandros was eased off after suffering serious interference on the home turn.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "He is a great big horse so it was nice to see him handle the track and see he has progressed from two to three.

"I like the way he knuckled down well as I thought the other horse had slipped it.

"A decision on the Derby will be left to Sheikh Hamdan, but we don't have many good three-year-old colts and I am sure if Sir Michael is happy with him then he will run.

"It would be silly not to consider the race and I would be surprised if he didn't stay - but I don't know whether he is good enough to win."

Tajaaweed holds an entry in the Vodafone Derby and the team will now consider a crack at the Epsom Classic.