Marcel springs upset in Trophy

Sunday 25 October 2015, 10:18am

Andrea Atzeni has ridden his third successive Racing Post Trophy winner, and his most unlikely, with Marcel springing a 33-1 surprise in the final Group One race of the British season.

Following victories on favourites Kingston Hill and Elm Park in the past two runnings of the two-year-olds, Atzeni's winner was harder for punters to find.

The John Gosden-trained Foundation came into the race with perfect credentials, unbeaten in three starts and favourite for the Derby.

Frankie Dettori chose to track his main market rival Deauville, but got held up when pace-setting Port Douglas held his position on the rail for longer than expected.

Marcel was also held up but Atzeni opted to navigate the whole field and he went clear, beating Johannes Vermeer, the Ballydoyle second string, by 1-1/2 lengths with Foundation a further 2-1/2 lengths third.

"Coming here I thought he'd be placed because he's always worked like a good horse, but he's been weak," Chapple-Hyam said.

"I see him as a French Derby type, I'd be worried about him staying further.

"If I get my way, he'll be in my favourite race, the Dante, but if he shows enough speed before then he could go for the Guineas."

Gosden took the favourite's defeat on the chin, with a Guineas trial a likely port of call next spring.

"Frankie said they all just died in front of him and he had nowhere to go," he said.

"The winner came around and had a free one. That's racing.

– PAA

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