8-1 from 50: Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore unearth another big Derby chance

Wednesday: Chester Vase, Chester

In a team game, it's not always the star forward who delivers a knockout blow. Sometimes he's not even on the pitch when a decisive victory is secured.

So it was as the Classic confrontation moved from Newmarket to Chester, with the perennial Godolphin versus Coolmore battle switching from Guineas to Derby.

Luxembourg, whose running-on third behind Coroebus made him hot favourite for Epsom, was safely relaxing at Ballydoyle as the first of the major trials aimed at finding him a worthy rival took place.

Chester Vase: full result and replay

And Aidan O'Brien will have been delighted that not only should stablemate Changingoftheguard grab his chance in the first team to storm to an impressive victory, but that he also comfortably saw off the previously unbeaten New London, who started the day as Godolphin's shortest-priced hope for the Derby.

Changingoftheguard may share a breeder with Luxembourg in Ben Sangster but he has been a much later bloomer than last year's Vertem Futurity Trophy winner, beaten in all three runs at two and only getting off the mark in a Dundalk maiden last month.

Yet the 100-30 shot was ridden with plenty of confidence by Ryan Moore on this step up in class, soon clear in front and quickening again when the 4-11 favourite started to close over two furlongs out to come home a six-and-a-half-length winner.

Changingoftheguard: 'We couldn't be happier with that'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"We couldn't be happier with that," Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley said of the trainer's record-extending tenth Vase winner.

"Aidan felt the horse had improved substantially since his win in Dundalk and he obviously felt he was going to appreciate the step up in trip.

"These trials are for everyone to find out what they've got and where they are, and we now know with him."

Who impressed for the Oaks and Derby at Chester? Our experts have their say

Moore had won the Cheshire Oaks in similar style on Thoughts Of June and said of Changingoftheguard: "He's similar to her and stays very well. Wayne Lordan liked him when he won at Dundalk last time and he's obviously improving.

"You never know which way they'll go from two to three, but he's going the right way now."

Changingoftheguard is himself now a best-priced 10-1 for the Derby and although Coolmore are set to field runners in all the upcoming trials, when asked whether he was likely to go to Epsom, Buckley said: "I would presume it's highly likely.

Ryan Moore: rode a treble at Chester on WednesdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"Aidan will have to speak to the owners, but why not? We all love the Derby and we want to win it. The more representation we have the better.

"Clearly, you'd have to say that given his run in the Guineas last Saturday Luxembourg certainly would be my number one pick, but I'd have to raise that guy in my estimations as well on the back of that."

New London is now available at as long as 20-1 after suffering the first defeat of his career under William Buick.

"The winner piled it on from the front and stayed at it," the jockey said. "I'm sure the winner is a decent horse and this horse has still got a lot to learn."

Trainer Charlie Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said: "It wasn't his day today and we'll go back to the drawing board – it's what trials are all about. We got beaten by a better horse on the day and it's as simple as that."

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

bet365: 7-4 Luxembourg, 8 Walk Of Stars, Piz Badile, 10 Changingoftheguard 14 New London, Eydon, Buckaroo, Point Lonsdale, 16 Desert Crown, Cash, 20 Westover, Magisterial, 25 bar

Read these next:

Cheshire Oaks: 'She's a big girl and she's getting better' - Moore taken with Thoughts Of June

Chester losers, Epsom winners: why Above The Curve and New London need not fear

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