England: Ruler of the World takes Chester Vase

Ruler of the World was a moderately impressive six-length winner of the Group 3 Chester Vase on Thursday in England, but it says much about the state of the prospective Epsom Derby field that his win over three unproven opponents vaulted Ruler of the World near the top of antepost betting on the Epsom Derby.

Ruler of the World, a Galileo colt trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden Thursday by Ryan Moore, now is 2 for 2 in his career, his lone previous run having come April 7 at The Curragh. He has the look of a colt with ability and stamina, but the horse that finished second to him Thursday, Mister Impatience, could only come home fourth last out in the listed Derby Trial at Epsom, while another apparently talented debut winner, Feel Like Dancing, dwelt at the start of the Vase and was rank for much of the early going. Mister Impatience cut out a modest tempo on the tight left-handed Chester course, with Ruler of the World always in a comfortable tracking spot. Moore asked for run more than a quarter-mile from home, and Ruler of the World fairly easily overtook the pacesetter and gained control of the race.

No Chester Vase winner has returned to win the derby since Shergar in 1981, but several betting houses still halved their antepost Derby price on Ruler of the World, who is widely regarded now as a top five behind favored Dawn Approach in the derby.