The Betfred Derby is Britain’s most famous Flat race, billed as the one everybody wants to win.
It takes centre stage at Epsom this afternoon (16h30).
Pride Of Arras wins the Dubai Dante Stakes under Rossa Ryan (Pic – Irishracing.com on FB)
More rain is expected this morning so the current track conditions of good to soft, good in places, could change.
With nineteen colts going to post it’s the biggest Derby field since Kris Kin won in 2003. The unsettled weather adds to this year’s renewal being an open race with bookmakers going 7/2 the field.
Aidan O’Brien saddles three in Delacroix (7/2 favourite), The Lion In Winter and Lambourn as he goes for an 11th success in the race.
Ryan Moore should be happy drawn in stall 14 on Delacroix. The Dubawi colt has progressed a lot from two to three, and his forward racing style should suit at Epsom.
Colin Keane deputises on stablemate The Lion In Winter (13/2), who should come on plenty for his unplaced effort in the Dante when he over-raced. He cannot be under-estimated in what must have been a tough choice for Ryan Moore.
Arch-rivals Godolphin are represented by the Charlie Appleby trained Ruling Court, winner of the 2000 Guineas. The Justify colt is next best in the market at 15/4 to make it a double for his sire after City Of Troy last season.
The Dante winner Pride Of Arras is priced up at around 9/2. The Ralph Beckett trained son of New Bay was impressive in how he finished his race off at York, showing a good turn of foot, in what was only his second start. He looks very progressive but will have to be to follow up here. Young Rossa Ryan, his jockey, is very upbeat about his chances.
He is joined in the field by his stablemate Stanhope Gardens (12/1) who pushed Delacroix all the way to the line, beaten a neck, at Newmarket last season.
With this year’s race being run in the memory of the late Aga Khan, it’s fitting that his famous silks will be carried by the supplemented Midak (12/1). This unbeaten son of Footstepsinthesand has only won at Group 3 level, so is up against it, but will enjoy any rain that falls.
A race worth the wait, and the winner could be something special. Pride Of Arras is selected to give O’Brien’s trio something to think about.
