Epsom Derby

Epsom Derby Runners

Desert Crown

Desert Crown easily defied odds of 11/1 on his racecourse debut at Nottingham and was sent off the joint favourite for the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York as result, and it’s fair to say that he didn’t disappoint as he comfortably recorded a three-and-a-quarter-lengths success. 

The striking son of Nathaniel travelled powerfully throughout and was full of running when asked to put the race to bed. That victory was enough to propel him to the head of the betting for Epsom’s premier contest and he could be tough to beat if coming forward from that success.

Stone Age

Not many Derby horses, especially those whom are likely to be sent off shorter than 5/1, fail to get off the mark on their first five outings, however, it was a case of sixth time lucky for Stone Age at Navan in March and he certainly built upon that success when running out an impressive winner of the Group 3 Derby Trail Stakes at Leopardstown.

The intriguing son of Galileo eased to a five-and-a-half-lengths success on that occasion and in doing so threw his hat into the Derby picture. It’s also worth noting that he finished second in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October and is bred to flourish over trips such as this.

Nations Pride

The fact that connections elected to supplement Nations Pride in spite of already having two runners in the race seems fairly significant and came as no surprise as bookmakers already had the Teofilo colt chalked up as the third favourite prior to the confirmation of his attendance.

Nations Pride is 4-4 following a narrow defeat on debut and the manner of his two turf victories, at Meydan and Newmarket respectively, certainly caught the eye.

This will naturally be his biggest test to date but clearly connections feel that he is up to the task.

Changingoftheguard

Changingoftheguard took a notable step forward when stepping up to 10 furlongs at Dundalk in April and he looked better again when tacking 12 furlongs at Chester last month, recording a facile six-and-a-half-lengths victory over the 4-11 favourite New London.

That victory was achieved on soft ground and it’s hard to say whether he needs such conditions to be seen to best effect. However, it does confirm that he will see out every yard of this trip and, having made all on the Roodee, there’s every chance that Wayne Lordon will put his proven stamina to good use.

Piz Badile

Piz Badile boasts form figures of 121 in his short career to date, winning by margins of a neck and a short-head while being beaten just half a length in between.

Clearly the Ulysses colt enjoys a good scrap and isn’t overly flashy, which often leads to being overlooked in races such as this. However, the determined attitude that he displayed to rally and get his head back in-front in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in April is a rare trait that can undoubtedly make the difference at this level.

His breeding suggests that he may be seen to best effect over 10 furlongs. However, his style of running and competitive nature renders him an intriguing proposition in this contest.

Walk Of Stars

Walk Of Stars found one too good when sent of the 11/10 favourite for the Listed Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield last month and it goes without saying that this will represent an even sterner test of his abilities. 

The Dubawi colt won his previous two outings at 4/6 and 4/5 respectively and remains open to further improvement over this trip. However, it should be noted that he swerved right in the closing stages at Lingfield and it does bring into question his ability to handle the atmosphere and indeed camber of Epsom. 

Nahanni

Nahanni hasn’t looked back since his runner-up debut effort, winning each of his three subsequent starts culminating in a 10 furlongs success at Epsom, which makes him one of only three contenders whom already boast a previous outing at the track.

Charlie Appleby’s three-year-old had subsequent Lingfield Derby Trial hero United Nations back in fourth on that occasion and there was plenty to like about the way in which he battled. It was a performance that suggested that this trip would suit him ideally and he will encounter the same ground conditions once again.

The form of his penultimate effort reads well too as the runner-up, whom received 7lbs, has won both of his subsequent starts and is now rated 90, while the third and fifth have also won since. And his novice success at Kempton is also fairly solid as both the runner-up and third placed horses have each won their only subsequent start. 

Royal Patronage

There was no getting away from how impressive the aforementioned Desert Crown was in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York, however, it’s possible that many have overlooked the runner-up, who was having his first start over a trip in excess of 8 furlongs and was running-on well at the finish.

That respectable performance came in spite getting warm in the preliminaries and, having proven his stamina over 10 furlongs and running as though further may suit, it’s possible that connections will switch to a more prominent style of racing, which has brought the yard so much success over the years.

Like the above mentioned Nahanni, Royal Patronage already boasts an Epsom success on his CV and he displayed his class when defeating the 111 rated Imperial Fighter in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last season, in addition to inflicting 2000 Guineas hero Coroebus’ solitary career defeat in the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in September.

The Wootton Bassett colt could easily outperform market expectations if seeing out the trip.

Epsom Derby Prediction

Desert Crown is a potential superstar based on his two previous trips to the racecourse and he looks sure to be sent off a well supported favourite. Stone Age will also prove popular given connections, while the supplemented Nations Pride will also have his supporters. Changingtheguard and Piz Badile also enter calculations, however, it may pay to take a chance on NAHANNI and ROYAL PATRONAGE, whom both boast winning form at Epsom and look fantastic each-way value. The former brings solid form to the table and easily defeated a smart rival on his only previous outing at this trip. Charlie Appleby and Adam Kirby teamed up to land this contest with Adayar (16/1) 12 months ago and it’s possible that lightning could strike twice. The latter ran an eye-catching race behind Desert Crown in the Dante and boasts very smart form over shorter trips. His effort at York suggested that this trip may be within his range and his vast experience in compassion to many of his rivals may well be in his favour.