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Plenty of options for French Derby second El Bodegon says James Ferguson

El Bodegon reignited his season with a second in the French Derby and now trainer James Ferguson has plenty of options, including a stint Down Under.

James Ferguson is keeping his options open with regards the talented El Bodegon who bounced back to take second in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.
Originally planned as a runner in the Epsom Derby, Kodiac colt El Bodegon flopped in the Dante at York, finishing seventh of eight runners and posing questions as to what next.

Yet, Ferguson kept the faith and sent El Bodegon to Chantilly for the French Derby and he chased home the exciting Vadeni in Northern France.

He led briefly at Chantilly before Vadeni showed he was a real Arc contender by powering away but El Bodegon kept to his task to repel Modern Games.

El Bodegon beat Charlie Appleby's well regarded Modern Games into third and now plenty of Group 1 tests re-enter the reckoning for Ferguson's charge including Royal Ascot, the Irish Derby and even a stint in Australia.
Ferguson said: "We were obviously delighted with the run - it's huge coming second in a race like the French Derby. Credit to the winner, who was very impressive.
"We've always liked our horse and always had the impression that he'd trained on. There were excuses for the run at York and he obviously showed that he came on for the run.
"I think he's proven the doubters wrong and it's great to see him get back to form."

El Bodegon has Summer entries for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown before the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Paris-Longchamp in October.

El Bodegon's owners are Australian and may be keen on taking their talented horse for a stint Down Under later in the year. Ferguson is content that his three-year-old colt should not be rushed into any particular plan just yet.

He added: "We're just letting the dust settle and then we'll decide where we're going.
"It's completely their (owners) call and the discussion (about Australia) hasn't even been had yet."

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