Around The Horn

Today's G1 Investec Derby seems to hinge on one question, and only Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) can supply the answer as he enters the final quarter- mile of Tesio's famed ultimate test of the Thoroughbred. There is no doubt that Anthony Oppenheimer's homebred has a distinct class edge over all of his rivals based on his emphatic success in the premier trial, York's G2 Dante S. May 14, which was termed a “mini Derby” at the time. Form, mentality and physicality aside, however, the bay enters this race without all boxes ticked, as he is unproven at this trip and his pedigree does not shout a mile and a half out loud. Under the second dam is a mix of stamina and speed, with the specialist miler Rebecca Sharp (GB) (Machiavellian) sitting alongside the stout middle-distance black-type performers Mystic Knight (GB) (Caerleon) and Hidden Hope (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), so there is promise blended with the customary doubt. His owner-breeder has always stated that he is a 10-furlong horse and the G1 Prix du Jockey Club was first on the wish list prior to his Dante romp, but the irresistible lure of Epsom's blue riband proved too intoxicating for an esteemed racing and breeding operation that has been denied it for so long. 

“I didn't have to do much arm-twisting after the Dante, as his owner likened the situation to a casino–he had won the money and it was there on the table to supplement for the Derby,” John Gosden explained. “There is a question about his stamina, but he relaxes well.” Oppenheimer added, “He's one of those horses who likes to go to sleep most of the time; he's very relaxed. He's quite happy switched off behind like he was in the Dante until someone says, 'Off we go'. With luck, he should switch off in the Derby. He's built as if you were going to build a Derby horse–size, height, everything. Of course, we don't know how any of them will come down the hill.” 

Different Ball Park… 
Third behind Golden Horn at York was Elm Park (GB) (Phoenix Reach {Ire}), who was returning from his winter break having had to sidestep the 2000 Guineas due to fast ground. Qatar Racing's G2 Royal Lodge S. and G1 Racing Post Trophy winner has the 2-year-old form to suggest he can be a leading player in any Derby and there was little in his Dante performance to lessen enthusiasm for his prospects here. Andrew Balding, who is yet to emulate his father Ian's win in this with Mill Reef in 1971, is saddling his best chance yet and is in positive mood despite the warm drying weather playing against his charge. “His weight has not changed dramatically from York, but he is definitely a bit tighter,” he said. “He dropped a bit after the Dante because he had a hard race, but is now the same weight as he went into it. He was just leg-weary in the Dante–he tied up in the last 100 yards which, was purely down to fitness and having his first race for such a long time.” Balding said the effort should put Elm Park “spot on” for the Derby. “Thirteen lengths back to the fourth says it all, but we needed to have a run,” he said. “You don't mind getting beaten in the Dante if you are going to win the Derby. He is a very relaxed horse and he has got a bit of class. We had a perfectly satisfactory prep run, so I think we have every reason to be optimistic. I think his biggest strength is his engine–his third gear is like most horses' fifth gear.” 

Andrea Atzeni, who was second on Kingston Hill (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) on his first ride in this 12 months ago, added, “I think the Dante has put him spot-on for the Derby, as he's come on a lot since and as long as the ground is safe it won't be a problem. The Dante was a proper race and definitely the best trial of the year and the best horse won on the day, but I think Elm Park will improve a lot for it and we'll see the best of him stepping up to a mile and a half now.” 

Instant Success? 
Ken Condon has the kind of horse a small trainer can only dream of in Robert Ng's Success Days (Ire) (Jeremy) and he is the best of the Irish raiders based on his authoritative wins in the G3 Ballysax S. and G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown Apr. 12 and May 10. Those normally key trials lacked a major Ballydoyle influence for the first time in recent history this year, with John F Kennedy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) flopping in the first of them and just a modest representative of Rosegreen tackling the latter. That factor casts a question mark over the form and also they were staged on testing ground vastly contrasting to what he will encounter here, but the manner of the two displays leaves an indelible mark. Jockey Shane Foley is set the task of steering the charismatic grey around Epsom's tricky contours and he is unfazed by the prospect. “With every run he has improved and his last bit of work was very good, although he never does too much at home,” he said. “We are looking forward to it and his temperament is good–he only does what he has to–and he jumps and travels in his races, so we think he'll handle the track. He's very good on slow ground, but he has won on good so we're very hopeful. If the rain comes, I won't be complaining and the trip will be no bother to him.” 

Three For Six? 
Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was heavily favored when making it a fifth renewal for Aidan O'Brien in 2014, but the master of Ballydoyle is on the fringes this time with three likeable colts who have chances without flashing the kind of talent that is part and parcel of a Derby winner. The recent market support and jockey placement suggests that Giovanni Canaletto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is clear best of the trio, and it is notable that his full-brother Ruler of the World (Ire) made several quick leaps forward when successful here two years ago. Second to the filly Curvy (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Gallinule S. over 10 furlongs at The Curragh May 24, the chestnut–who sported a rare Mill Reef-style noseband for the stable there–will be suited by this rise in distance and wears cheekpieces as his sibling did in 2013. Jockey Ryan Moore is looking for a third British Classic in the Tabor silks so far in 2014, and O'Brien said, “It's only two weeks since the Gallinule, but he came out of it very well and seems to be in good form. Obviously, it's a step quicker than ideal but he came home well there and the winner [Curvy] is a very progressive filly.” Kilimanjaro (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) looked a highly unlikely Derby contender on his first two unplaced maiden starts, but the fitting of a hood has brought out all the hidden talent, and he is a strong stayer who is unbeaten in that particular piece of headgear. He bids to become the first since High-Rise (Ire) to win the Derby after taking the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial May 9, and O'Brien said of him, “He won nicely at Lingfield and got the mile and a half well. He's a big cruiser and came home very well that day, so it's setting up nicely for him as well. Better ground will suit everybody.” 

Storm Brewing? 
The Derby is rarely won by an outsider, with 17 years having passed since a longshot prevailed–the aforementioned High-Rise traded at 20-1 when he succeeded then–but one who possesses the qualities to outrun his current odds is Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's Storm the Stars (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Runner-up to Hans Holbein (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) in the May 7 G3 Chester Vase, the bay made all to land Goodwood's Listed Cocked Hat S.–the old “Predominate”–over 11 furlongs last time May 22 and is certain to be prominently placed with stamina no issue. William Haggas is not sure how the immature colt will handle the stresses and strains of Derby day. 

“I'm not quite sure he's ready for the Derby occasion,” his trainer warned. “He sweated profusely at Goodwood, but he didn't do a lot wrong in the race. He's certain to stay, but he has about a stone to find to win a Derby, I think. He has made a good leap forward from every run he's had this year, so he's going the right way. He went round Chester and Goodwood without difficulty, so I would not be worried about his ability to handle Epsom. He is a well-balanced horse who is light on his feet. He is just a baby who has needed the experience of racing and my horses are in much better form now than when he was running earlier in the season.” 

Another with a squeak at a big starting price is Al Shaqab Racing's Moheet (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who was unlucky not to finish closer than eighth in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when last seen five weeks ago. Richard Hannon is positive about the claims of the 'TDN Rising Star' despite his low-key profile. 

“Moheet has always worked like a good horse and we have treated him like one by giving him plenty of time,” he explained. “He ran okay in the Guineas and if he handles the track he might surprise a few people by outrunning his odds.”