The Derby Latest

Just three days to go to The Derby and we know the field. See The Stars has now been installed as 11/4 favourite. Trained by John M Oxx at the Currabeg stable Co. Kildare he is aiming to be the first horse for 20 years to win both The Derby and The Guineas. He is the half brother of 2001 winner Galileo but there is a doubt about his stamina
Fame And Glory has moved out to 7/2 he had a stunning win, at Leopardstown in Ireland, on 10th May coming home at 9/4. He is the grandson of Shirley Heights and great grandson of Mill Reef both former Derby winners. Shirley Heights sired the 1985 Derby winner Slip Anchor. So he has the blood line. He is one of six trained in Ireland at Coolmore by Aiden O'brien.
Johnny Murtagh the Ballydoyle stable jockey has chosen to ride third favourite Rip Van Winkle 4/1 the son of 2001 Derby winner Galileo. This was something of a surprise as Murtagh had the choice of all six of O'brien's runners. On his last outing he was fourth in the Guineas. But he has ridden Rip on his last four outings.


There are four other horses from the Ballydoyle stable in the top ten of the betting. They are Black Bear Island 7/1 winner of the Dante at York in May Masterofthehorse 14/1 2nd in the Chester Vase Age of Aquarius 22/1 winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial and Golden Sword 40/1 winner of the Chester Vase.



Crowded House 25/1 has slipped to eighth in the betting following his poor showing in The Dante Stakes at York last time out (see my previous blog). Trainer Brian Meehan confirmed the horse would run on Saturday unless the going became heavy. In that case he would go to Chantilly on Sunday to run in the French Derby.

Gan Amhras 7/1 has a connection to Coolmore his sire Galileo who won the Derby in 2001 was trained by Aiden O'brien.



Kite Wood 20/1 is trained at the Godolphin stables by Saeed Bin Suroor. Despite being beaten into fifth in the Dante Stakes he remains a good each way bet. That completes the top ten in the betting.

Montaff 50/1 trained by Mick Channon South Easter 40/1 another son of Galileo and John Gosden's Debussy 50/1 complete the field. Eight of the thirteen runners are trained in Ireland the other five are trained in England. The odds are 5/1 for Aiden O'Brien to train First Second and Third.

Follow my tweets on the race from 4pm GMT on Saturday

The Dante Stakes

The Dante Stakes will be run over 1 mile and 2 furlongs at 2.40 GMT today. The race takes place at York race course on the famous Knavesmire. The course within the city boundaries is unusual as this area is unsuitable for development being a large marshy area. Historicaly it was a place of execution, Dick Turpin was the most famous criminal to be hanged there.

The Dante has been a Derby trial since 1958. It is run over a distance only 2 furlongs shorter than the Epsom classic. Several winners of the Dante have gone on to win The Derby. Running as it is barely three weeks before The Derby this race is going to be a good guide to form. Moreover no fewer than 9 out of the 10 runners are Derby hopefuls. Chief among these is Crowded House currently third favourite for The Derby at 11/2. He goes off at 6/4 favourite for the Dante and will greatly enhance his chances should he win today.

My fancy is Redwood his odds of 8/1 today belie a career of 5 wins from 5 starts. The formidable in form team of trainer Barry Hills and jockey Michael Hills could prove too strong for this quality field. So put your money on now I have a feeling his odds of 33/1 will shorten after today's race.

The other runners are Black Bear Island, Glass Harmonium, Freemantle, Kite Wood, Neeham, Sans Frontieres, and Native Ruler all declared for The Derby Monitor Closely is not.

The final field for The Derby is likely to be around 20 runners so today's race is vital for these contenders chances. I will post the results here later

Black Bear Island 6/1 won by a head from the long time leader Freemantle 13/2 Sans Frontiere 12/1 was third. Crowded House was never in the frame. Well what does this tell us about The Derby? Its going to be as difficult as always to predict the winner. What of Redwood well he never showed so I suppose its back to the drawing board. Where's that pin of mine.....................