With Godolphin supplementing the impressive Listed Newmarket S. winner Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), Saturday's G1 Cazoo Derby which it was announced on Monday will be run in honour of Lester Piggott is beginning to form a more complete picture. William Buick confirmed on Monday that he will be on the newly-added colt over the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Walk of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Apr. 19 Listed Blue Riband Trial scorer Nahanni (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
“I ride Nations Pride, all being well, so I'm looking forward to that,” he said. “It's always difficult, as they are three nice horses and I'm fortunate to have the choice, which is a privilege in itself.”
Aidan O'Brien provided the only ripple as he withdrew the Lingfield Derby Trial winner United Nations (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), leaving 18 in the field including the other supplementary, the Stan Moore-trained maiden El Habeeb (Ire) (Al Rifai {Ire}) who faces a genuine baptism of fire.
Which Way For The Star?
Ballydoyle still have a strong trio engaged, headed by the May 8 G3 Derby Trial S. winner Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), although the May 5 Listed Dee S. scorer and TDN Rising Star Star of India (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also holds an entry in Sunday's G1 Prix du Jockey Club. A total of 23 remained in the Chantilly Classic after the week's first forfeit stage, with Prince Faisal's 2000 Guineas fourth Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}) another who has yet to be committed to either Epsom of the French equivalent. Saeed Suhail's May 12 G2 Dante S. winner and TDN Rising Star Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) looks certain at this stage to start favourite, with his opposition further trimmed on Monday as Ivy League (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Lysander (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Sir Bob Parker (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) were also taken out.
Green Light
One of the race's outsiders, Ahmad Al Shaikh's Newmarket S. runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}), has been given the go-ahead by his owner who was runner-up with Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) two years ago. “After deliberations with Andrew Balding, Green Team Racing has decided on giving Hoo Ya Mal the opportunity to run at the Derby next Saturday,” he said on Monday. “The distance might be a challenge, but it's a chance worth taking. We look forward to a successful participation against the world's top horses. Although relatively new, this will be Green Team Racing's third consecutive run at the world's biggest race.”
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