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Derby Stakes �V Form Comments

03/06/2016

G1 - 2409m – Turf

1

Across The Stars

An expensive purchase who has been gradually - though not spectacularly - improving. He led from gate to wire to win a maiden over this distance on his 2016 debut before finishing third in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial last month, racing much too keenly early on but sticking to the task well especially as he was squeezed late on. However, that race has rarely been a good guide to the Derby, and his Epsom chances don't look strong.

2

Algometer

His trainer believes that with no standout horse in this year's Derby it is worth taking a chance with Algometer who bravely ground out a victory over a well-regarded rival in a 2200m Listed race at Goodwood last month. No  likely stamina worries whilst good ground or softer would be ideal underfoot conditions for this colt who looks to have a really good attitude.

3

Biodynamic

Has competed three times this season, winning a maiden on the sand on the first of those. However he was thrashed 9 lengths into fourth of six behind possible Derby favourite US Army Ranger in a G3 at Chester last month, fading out at the end. This distance and a lack of sufficient class makes him nearly impossible to fancy.

4

Cloth Of Stars

This colt, trained by French maestro Andre Fabre, has been supplemented into the field after two fluent wins this season, notably when smoothly landing a G2 at Saint-Cloud over 2000m. Even though it may be a weak year for French-trained three-year-olds, this colt looks pretty smart and he has taken the same route as the stable's 2011 Derby winner Pour Moi. Easy ground should suit nicely.

5

Deauville

The winner of his first two starts, and, though he has been beaten three times since, he posted a clear career best last time when looking likely to win York's G2 Dante Stakes - after Ryan Moore kicked him into a decisive lead - only for Wings Of Desire to nail him late on. Some distance concerns up to 2400m, and, although he has a small chance, some others appear more progressive.

6

Harzand

Stormed to a 16L victory in a maiden on his 2016 debut, before winning a G3 over 2000m at Leopardstown in April. On that occasion he took time to get going, and looked in difficulty but was comfortably on top at the line. Both those two wins came on heavy ground but his pedigree suggests faster conditions may be more suitable. Whether he has the mix of speed and stamina essential for a Derby winner remains open to doubt but this is a wide-open year.

7

Humphrey Bogart

His breeding may suggest that 1600m would be his ideal distance but he proved himself over a distance just short of Epsom's 2409m when coming with a late surge to win Lingfield's Listed Derby Trial last month. He had previously run a good second in Epsom's own Derby Trial so the fact that can handle the camber of this track is a plus.

8

Idaho

This lightly-raced colt has finished second and third in two G3's over 2000m at Leopardstown on his last two starts, giving best to two intended Derby rivals - Harzand and Moonlight Magic. He has plenty of potential for improvement but is a long striding horse who might not be suited to the gradients and camber of Epsom.

9

Massaat

From the stable of rookie trainer Owen Burrows, and Massaat has done him proud so far, running second in two G1's since winning his maiden last September. Latterly he ran second of 13 in the 2000 Guineas - galloping on really well at the end of Newmarket's famous Classic over the straight 1600m. However whilst 2000m may well see improvement, there must be stamina concerns over Epsom's demanding 2409m.

10

Moonlight Magic

Won both starts as a two-year-old but his Derby prospects seemed to disappear when he ran a miserable race on his 2016 debut. However he bounced back in style to win Ireland's main trial for the Epsom's Derby at Leopardstown last month. Although he did not immediately accelerate when his jockey asked him that day, he was well on top at the end and may be open to lots more improvement.

11

Port Douglas

Classy as a two-year-old, including a G2 victory, though not top class as he was soundly eclipsed in a G1 over 1600m on his final 2015 start. Moving up sharply to a distance slightly further than that of the Derby for his 2016 return in a G3 at Chester he was not expected to get close to his highly touted stablemate US Army Ranger. However Port Douglas, despite giving that rival 4lb, made him fight all the way and was closing on him again at the wire. Clearly no stamina worries.

12

Red Verdon

For a colt to come out of a handicap and win the Derby would be more than unusual but Red Verdon has been supplemented into the field after his stylish victory in a handicap over this distance at Haydock last month, showing an exciting change of gear in the straight. He is clearly improving fast, but he will surely need to take another big step forward if he is to win on Saturday.

13

Shogun

The winner of just one of his eight starts but he has been placed in both G2 and G3 company. Although he was being urged by his jockey along way from the end, he did manage to finish second to Moonlight Magic in a good G3 over 2000m at Leopardstown last month. However he was subsequently not speedy enough to make an impact when dropped back to 1600m for the Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh.

14

Ulysses

He was beaten on his first two starts prior to winning a 2005m maiden at Newbury last month. Hardly the profile of an Epsom Derby winner, but so stylish was he at Newbury when romping 8L clear that day and so highly is he regarded by his maestro trainer Sir Michael Stoute that he is now one of the favourites. His pedigree is certainly immaculate, being sired by a Derby winner, out of a winner of the Oaks - Epsom's fillies' Classic.

15

US Army Ranger

Had a huge reputation before he had even raced. He won his maiden decisively in April and then was an odds-on favourite for a well-known Derby trial at Chester. However he had to battle really hard to overcome more experienced stablemate Port Douglas - who was also carrying 4lb more weight - in that G3. He'll need to improve plenty to win this but the vibes remain strong that he is a potential champion.

16

Wings Of Desire

Having just won a modest maiden on the all-weather on his second start in April he was barely mentioned as a Derby possibility. That changed when he swept down the outside to win the G2 Dante Stakes at York last month. He moves up in distance but his breeding suggests that he will almost certainly be suited by 2400m and he was supplemented into the field this week.

 

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