Andrew Balding’s Bonfire emerged as the most serious threat to Derby favourite Camelot with an impressive comeback performance in the Dante Stakes at York.
His seasonal return was moved to Britain’s most high-profile Epsom trial from last week’s Dee Stakes at Chester due to the rain-softened ground and it proved a wise decision.
Under Jimmy Fortune, Bonfire quickened past the well supported Ballydoyle-based favourite Ernest Hemingway and it was recent Newbury winner Ektihaam who moved stylishly out of the pack to throw down a challenge.
The two fought out a crowd-pleasing finish heading inside the final furlong (200m) but Bonfire came out on top to score by three-quarters of a length.
He is now 5-1 from 10-1 for Epsom with Boylesports with the unbeaten 2000 Guineas winner Camelot a shade of odds-on at 4-5.
In a remarkable twist of fate, the two leading Derby contenders were raised in the same paddock at Highclere Stud.
The trainer now hopes his charge recovers in time for Epsom with the premier Classic this year only a little over a fortnight away.
“It was very good. I was getting a bit uncomfortable with all the hype because he’s not a brilliant work horse and he’s done it in flashes this spring, so it was a relief to get him out,” Balding said.
“It was a truly run race and a proper trial.
“We’ve only got just over a fortnight but as long as he comes out of this well, we’ve got to give Epsom serious consideration.
“It’s key at Epsom to get a position and it looks like he’s got the ability to do that. But what do I know? I’ve never had a Derby runner!
It was another great result for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
This particular syndicate of 20 people are the same group who own leading Oaks candidate Vow.
“Each owner paid 14,000 each for the share in each horse and they could never had dreamt they would have ended up with two like these,” Highclere racing manager Harry Herbert said.
“Another remarkable story is that Camelot and Bonfire actually grew up in the same paddock, and now they are going to meet again in the Derby!”
