Fine Form
Ruling Court EP – 3.30
can become the first horse since Camelot to win the 2000 Guineas and Betfred Derby in the same season.
Connections of the Charlie Appleby-trained colt were not even considering running him at Newmarket until a sparkling gallop just a few weeks before the first Classic.
He was so impressive in that piece of work that it was thought his best preparation for Epsom would be to run in the Guineas and then once William Buick decided to ride him over champion juvenile Shadow Of Light, the secret was out.
History shows Buick made the right choice and with the horse who split the two Godolphin runners, Field Of Gold who some felt was unlucky, subsequently bolting up in the Irish equivalent to give the form a boost, there is no doubt he brings the best credentials to the race.
There seems to be plenty who doubt his ability to stay a mile and a half but given barely over a month ago the Derby was his main aim and not the Guineas,
Appleby and his team must have viewed him as a stayer over the winter. And his sire Justify has already had a Derby winner in City Of Troy.
Jer Batt EP – 2.45
did well to get as close as he did from a wide draw at Chester last time out and before that he managed to finish within a length of the classy American Affair at Musselburgh.
David and Nicola Barron have booked Oisin Murphy for the ride in the Aston Martin Dash’’ Handicap and the last time he rode the five-year-old he went close in a valuable event at Doncaster at the end of last season. He has never run on Epsom’s idiosyncratic five-furlong track before but what he needs to be seen at his best is a really strong pace and he looks guaranteed that in this. Gold Star Hero EP - 2.10 has always carried a bit of a reputation that suggests connections think he is better than he has shown to date. Too keen when fancied on debut he won next time out before being tried in Listed company. His last run from a wide draw can be forgiven and he could be a bit of value in the Betfred 3YODash’’ Handicap.
The form of
Docklands EP – 1.35
reappearance run at Ascot has been given a big boost which makes him the one to beat in the Betfred Diomed Stakes.
Harry Eustace’s five-year-old was narrowly denied by Sardinian Warrior in an Ascot Listed race and that one has since run extremely well in a Group One in France, beaten only by the top-class Sosie.
He does tend to reserve his best for Ascot’s straight mile but he is the clear pick on the ratings.
John and Thady Gosden’s
Spiritual EP – 1.00
only lost by three-quarters of a length first time out this season in the Chartwell at Lingfield.
When you take into account how incredibly keen she was through the early stages she performed with a lot of credit.
With that freshness hopefully knocked out of her she should be tough to beat in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Roger Varian sends
Jabaara MU – 3.10
up to Musselburgh for the Edinburgh Gin Queen Of Scots British EBF Fillies’ Stakes and it should enable her to return to winning ways.
Demoted by the stewards having won a Group Three at Goodwood last summer, it actually means she escapes a penalty for this and she finished just in front of Spiritual in the Lingfield race.
Brave Nation DO – 5.45
has been running well of late which makes him the pick in the Daniel Jones Handicap at Doncaster while at Lingfield
Salamanca City LI – 6.37
can win again for James Fanshawe in the Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Handicap.
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