Racing News  

Derby Stakes �V Form Comments

02/06/2017

G1 - 2405m – Turf

1

Benbatl

An easy maiden race winner on his debut in April, and both starts in stronger company since suggest continued improvement, notably when second to Permian in a G2 at York last time. He'll need to settle a bit better if he is to thrive over this longer trip.

2

Best Solution

Failed to appreciate the Dirt at Meydan earlier this year but bounced back with a decisive victory in a Listed contest at Lingfield last month, finishing strongly off a fast pace and proving that he had the stamina for this sort of trip. Good or slow ground preferred.

3

Capri

Gained three straight wins as a two-year-old including at G2 level. Two good starts in 2017 - both in Leopardstown G3's over 2000m - have shown that he is a force to be reckoned with in 2017 and there have been some positive vibes for him this week especially with hopes of slow ground.

4

Cliffs Of Moher

His victory in a Listed event at Chester last month - a race that has been quite a good guide to Derby winners - was impressive though not brilliant. The rise in distance and positive vibes from his currently unstoppable stable both suggest a big show.

5

Cracksman

Already proven at Epsom winning the Derby Trial here in April. He didn't look happy on the track the whole way but knuckled down well and just caught Permian who had stolen first run on him. Permian has twice enhanced the form since, including a G2 victory and Cracksman's connections are convinced the extra distance will help.

6

Crowned Eagle

Trainer John Gosden considers this year's Derby wide open which is why Crowned Eagle is joining the party even though his two wins have only come in maiden and handicap company. He led from the start in that latter event, and might race prominently again.

7

Douglas Macarthur

The betting indicated that he was the least fancied of the three O'Brien-contenders in a significant G3 trial at Leopardstown last month, but he kept fighting and his victims included third-placed Capri in that 2000m test.  He might lead.

8

Dubai Thunder

Destroyed his rivals on his only start, winning a 2000m maiden at Newbury last month by 10L and upwards. Obviously this is a huge step up in class but he's beautifully bred and the expectation of good or slow ground is positive.

9

Eminent

His three starts have all been over 1600m at Newmarket, recording a stylish G3 victory in an impressive time on his second start. Given that, his lack of late pace in last month's 2000 Guineas was a little disappointing. The 800m distance increase positive according to his trainer.

10

Glencadam Glory

Can only boast a maiden win so far but would have surely gone closer in his more recent runs if not blowing the start each time, something he won't be able to afford to do on Saturday. He finished well when runner-up to Best Solution in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

11

Khalidi

A surprise supplementary entry into the field though he has won two of his four starts this season and put a disappointing Newmarket effort behind him with a decisive Goodwood win. No trip worries, but not the stable's first string.

12

Pealer

Routed weak opposition in a maiden event over 2221m at Southwell last month. He was acting as the lead horse for Cracksman in a recent exercise gallop at Epsom and that will probably be his role in Saturday's big event.

13

Permian

Supplemented into the Derby field having been consistently underestimated this season after a relatively low grade two-year-old career. He almost held Cracksman in the Derby Trial here and then won a Listed race and a G2 at York. He is full of surprises.

14

Rekindling

Always travelling nicely he won a G3 at Leopardstown in April and the three behind him dominated a Derby trial at Leopardstown subsequently. He then finished 3 1/4L behind Permian in a G2 at York and this extra distance is expected to be helpful.

15

Salouen

Twice G1 placed last season, thriving on racing. Looked to just need the run and raced too freely in a Listed event over 1800m on his Newmarket return in April  but still ran  second to supplemented Khalidi.

16

The Anvil

Can only boast one all-weather maiden win. He led for much of the way in a G3 over slightly further than this at Chester last month but didn't have enough pace in the closing stages, finishing 1 1/4L third to stablemate Venice Beach.

17

Venice Beach

Has won his last two starts and is progressing rapidly judging by his victory in a G3 over a similar distance to this at Chester last month, strong at the finish. The betting suggests he is not the number one from the O'Brien stable, but he still looks a live player.

18

Wings Of Eagles

Not one of the stars of the O'Brien stable as a two-year-old. He did look an improved three-year-old when a closing second behind stablemate and rival Venice Beach in a G3 at Chester last month. Hard to see him close at the end, but no stamina worries.

19

Diore Lia

Beaten a long way in two maiden races and causing some controversy by aiming for the Derby. Has no winning chance but is attracting plenty of publicity.

 

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