BETFRED DERBY - RUNNERS AND RIDERS - CJRFANTASY

Wednesday, 4th June -  The most iconic race in the calendar is upon us as the Epsom Derby takes centre stage this Saturday 7^th June, with the finest thoroughbreds competing to write their names in the history books. Balance, speed, mentality and stamina will all be called into question, so victory on the Epsom Downs requires genuine talent alongside mental fortitude. The race features some potential superstars, including Newmarket 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court who bids to take out the second leg of the British Triple Crown and favourite Delacroix, heading a three-strong team for master trainer Aidan O’Brien who seeks to break his own record with an 11^th victory in the contest.

As the great Federico Tesio remarked, ‘the thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby’. That winning post now awaits – and only one colt will reach it first, securing his place among the legends of the sport.

 In order of XP:

·        3. Delacroix (15XP) - Aidan O'Brien's Dubawi colt, Delacroix, boasts a strong record with consecutive Group 3 victories at Leopardstown this season. His consistent performances make him a leading contender, even more so given that Ryan Moore takes the ride – winner of the last two Derbies.

·        14. Ruling Court (15XP) – Winner of the first leg of the British Triple Crown – the 2000 Guineas – and by the same sire as last year’s winner City of Troy. Ruling Court must stand a live chance.

·        11. Pride of Arras (20XP) – Although an impressive winner of the Dante at York, this colt is drawn poorly in stall 16, which no Derby winner has ever won from. Nevertheless, Dante form cannot be overlooked, and this colt is likely to be in amongst it at the finish.

·        18. The Lion in Winter (25XP) – Very impressive two-year-old campaign but finished a disappointing sixth behind Pride of Arras in the Dante and has fallen on the wrong side of the draw in stall 19 – will have to be very impressive to win from there.

·        2. Damysus (60XP) – Wathnan’s sole entry, and if you follow the Dante form then this should have a real live chance for the in-form Gosden yard.

·        5. Lambourn (60XP) - Lambourn secured a gutsy win in the Chester Vase, showcasing stamina and determination. He aims to build on that success here but must be seen as a bit of an unknown, although a statistically favourable draw in stall 10 should help things.

·        7. Midak (70XP) – Supplemented for this race and owned by the late Aga Khan, for whom this race is run in honour of. As such, Midak could provide a fairytale win and his three impressive wins in France this year indicate he has the potential to do so.

·        16. Stanhope Gardens (80XP) – The bigger price of Ralph Beckett’s two runners but not to be overlooked. Stanhope Gardens needs to build on his seasonal debut but looks the right type - drawn in stall two could be awkward, so jockey Hector Crouch will have to get his positioning and timing right.

·        10. Nightwalker (100XP) – Another from the Gosden yard, Nightwalker has placed in several stakes races, demonstrating admirable reliability. He'll need to find extra to challenge for top honours here though.

·        8. New Ground (165XP) – Will need to improve significantly on past runs in France but has shown consistency in hitting the frame – could well be there in the closing stages.

·        19. Tornado Alert (165XP) – Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy’s mount has impressed connections and has a favourable draw in stall 11. Definitely in with a live chance if he has trained from on his 2000 Guineas appearance.

·        17. Tennessee Stud (165XP) – Could be competitive considering his third behind Delacroix and is by the same sire as last Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club winner. Certainly, can’t be ruled out.

·        20. Tuscan Hills (330XP) – Tuscan Hills has shown potential but weakened in the last furlong in York’s Dante, indicating their must be questions about his staying ability.

·        6. Lazy Griff (330XP) - Trained by Charlie Johnston, Lazy Griff finished second to Lambourn in the Chester Vase, demonstrating his potential to challenge the leading contenders.

·        15. Sea Scout (500XP) – A big outsider, however, does have course experience and won the Blue Riband trial at Epsom in April.

·        1. Al Wasl Storm (500XP) – A 7,000 Euro purchase, Al Wasl Storm is a clear outsider on paper. However, having won his last start at Chester over a longer distance than the Derby, there can no be doubts about handling the distance.

·        9. Nightime Dancer (500XP) – Looks unlikely to win this but, with 19 runners, he could well run into a place if the principals underperform.

·        4. Green Storm (1000XP) – Would be some upset if this outsider could win, but incredibly talented up-and-coming jockey Billy Loughnane has been known to pull the rabbit out the hat.

·        13. Rogue Impact (1000XP) – Finished last in the Lingfield Derby Trial and would be a very unlikely winner.

Trends:

Last run:

·        4/12 winners ran in the 2000 Guineas (Newmarket) on their last run, 0/4 won, 2 placed.

·        2/12 winners ran in the Dante Stakes (York) on their last run, both won.

·        2/12 winners ran in the Chester Vase (Chester) on their last run, 1 won, 1 placed.

·        2/12 winners ran in the Derby Trial Stakes (Lingfield) on their last run, 1 won, 1 placed.

Season Form

·        Season Form – 12/12 winners had at least 1 run that season, 7/12 had at least 1 win that season.

Trainer to follow

·        Aidan O’Brien – Has trained 7 of the last 12 winners.

Jockey to Follow

·        Ryan Moore – Has ridden the last two winners of the Epsom Derby.

CJRF Tip:

1^st – 3. Delacroix

2^nd – 11. Lambourn

3^rd – 16. Stanhope Gardens

ENDS