G2 Italian Derby for Declaration Of War's Assiro

In-form Declaration Of War had another exciting three-year-old winner on Thursday when Assiro (3c Declaration Of War-T’As D'Beaux Yeux, by Red Ransom) scored in a conditions event at Saint-Cloud in Paris.

Trained by Antonio Marcialis, the progressive colt had broken his maiden a fortnight earlier and could now head to the G2 Italian Derby following this success under Christophe Soumillon.

“The colt has reached a new level and I’m delighted,” Marcialis told JDG. “He won despite the ground being heavier than ideal and he also lost a shoe shortly after leaving the stalls.

“Christophe Soumillon stoked him up and told me he still had a bit more in the tank. He’s had two quick races in succession and will have a bit of a break. He is good enough to step up to Group races in France but is still a bit of a baby.

“We don’t have that many options but he’ll either step up in class here or go for the G2 Derby Italiano on May 20 at Capannelle. I’ll see how he comes out of this in the next two weeks but the race in Italy is very valuable with more than €700,000 in prize money. And the better ground will not worry him - in fact it will suit him.”

This victory followed on from the recent maiden win for the William Haggas-trained Martineo (3c Declaration Of War-Woodland Scene, by Act One).

The exciting three-year-old was home-bred by Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar at their Blue Diamond Stud.