Aidan O'Brien | Horse Racing Free Tips

The Weekly Wrap: Happy Days Are Here Again

To an extent, when Coolmore wins two of the weekend's premier Classics in Europe and Godolphin wins another, it feels like we are harking back to the glory days around the turn of the century, when the battle of the superpowers was epitomised by those back-to-back duels between Galileo (Ire) and Fantastic Light in the 'King George' and Irish Champion Stakes. Honours even.

And it was honours even at Epsom, with the dazzling victory of Ballydoyle's Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Cazoo Oaks, followed by the satisfying success of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) for Godolphin in the Cazoo Derby.

Through those two decades, the dominance of Aidan O'Brien has only grown, and the Ballydoyle trainer now teeters on the brink of becoming the most successful trainer in British Classic history, with his 40 victories equalling the record of John Scott, who won seven runnings of the Oaks between 1836 and 1855 as part of his own Classic haul.

It is fair to say that the fortunes of Godolphin have waxed and waned since the days of Daylami (Ire), Kayf Tara (GB) and Fantastic Light, but since the appointment of Charlie Appleby as trainer in the aftermath of the sorriest episode in the operation's history, Godolphin's flag has again been flying high.

Following the Derby, in typically modest fashion Appleby immediately pointed to O'Brien's overwhelming record when he was congratulated on providing a second homebred winner of the blue riband for Sheikh Mohammed in the last four years.

The pedigrees of both Masar (Ire) (New Approach {GB}) and Adayar stretch back generations within the Darley/Godolphin operation–to the 1998 purchase of Melikah (Ire), the daughter of Lammtarra and Urban Sea, in the case of Masar, and right back to the very early days of Sheikh Mohammed's foundation of a major breeding empire in Europe to the import of German Oaks winner Anna Paola (Ger) to Britain in 1982. Her 1983 mating with Mill Reef–winner of the Derby 50 years ago——produced Anna Matrushka (GB), who features as Adayar's fourth dam and who has played her part in the establishment of a decent dynasty within the Godolphin ranks. Anna Matrushka's penultimate foal Accessories (GB) (Sinsgpiel {Ire}) was exported to Australia and has helped to spread the family throughout the global operation, with three of her sons–Helmet (Aus), Epaulette (Aus) and Bullbars (Aus)–ending up as Darley stallions. Helmet has subsequently returned to the country of his great grandam Anna Paola and now stands at Gestut Fahrhof.

Beyond his two Derby winners, Appleby was also responsible for the top-rated horse in the world last year in Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), as well as the previous season's European champion 2-year-old, Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal).

You don't really need to cap winning the Derby but just for good measure, some four hours later on the other side of the Atlantic, Appleby was represented by the first two home in the GI Just A Game S., Althiqa (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). The fillies were a precursor for an even bigger result in New York for Godolphin when the homebred Essential Quality (Tapit) prevailed in a thrilling stretch battle with Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in the GI Belmont S.

The champion 2-year-old in America last season following his GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile victory, the Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality has been beaten just once, when fourth in the Kentucky Derby, and he may yet be promoted to third following confirmation of the positive drug test from the B-sample of winner Medina Spirit (Protonico).

For Godolphin, the good days are no longer few and far between. The significant breeding operation behind the racing stables clearly plays its part, but much of the renaissance can be attributed to Appleby, who is not just an accomplished trainer but is also a reliable and helpful spokesman. His popularity as an everyman made good is similar to that of the Derby-winning jockey Adam Kirby, whose Epsom triumph was widely enjoyed, and together they made a beguiling duo in the winner's circle. Both men have got to where they are through their own had work and skill, and they can only be admired for the humility with which they accept their success.

Still Making An Impact

With Frankel's first Derby winner, and Kingman (GB) represented by a third Grade 1 success for Domestic Spending (GB) at Belmont, as well as the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. win of Parent's Prayer (Ire), it was a good weekend for the Juddmonte stallions. The pensioned Zamindar even made his presence felt as damsire of the Derby runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a son of the Juddmonte-bred Galley (GB), who is a half-sister to the dam of Arc winner Rail Link (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

St Mark's Basilica (Ire) notched a second Classic in the Prix du Jockey Club to the obvious delight of 'super-sub' Ioritz Mendizabal, who was himself winning the race for the second year in a row after standing in for David Egan on Mishriff (Ire) last year. It was also a second winner of the French Derby for Siyouni after Sottsass (Fr) became his first Group 1-winning colt in 2019 and then returned to win the Arc last year. He and St Mark's Basilica are both out of mares by Galileo (Ire) who have previously produced high-calibre individuals in Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) respectively.

The same star-strewn background was evident in Snowfall, who beat her 'aunt', the third-placed Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Oaks. Snowfall's grandam, the dual Group 1-winning miler Red Evie (Ire) (Intikhab), has only ever been mated with Galileo, and she produced her tenth foal by the champion and her eighth filly on April 28. Red Evie's best offspring is unquestionably the Breeders' Cup Turf and Arc winner Found (Ire), who has already produced the G2 Vintage S. winner Battleground (War Front) as her first foal. Now Found's year-younger sister Best In The World (Ire) has a record-breaking Oaks winner to her name with her own first foal.

There will be plenty of anticipation ahead of the debut of Snowfall's full-brother, Newfoundland (Ire), from the penultimate crop of Japan's multiple champion sire Deep Impact (Sunday Silence). The late Shadai kingpin also had the first two home in the GI Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo on Sunday, bringing his tally of top-level winners to 51 when outsider Danon Kingly (Jpn) narrowly denied favourite Gran Alegria (Jpn) from recording her second win in the race.

Deep Impact has only had 59 runners in Europe, and clearly those that have been bred by European-based outfits will be out of good mares, while those sent over to race here from Japan will have already proved themselves to be classy performers. Even so, his record of 19 stakes winners, including six Group 1 winners, five of which are Classic winners, is pretty damn good.

The six that have won at the top level are split evenly, three being out of mares from the Sadler's Wells line, and three from the Storm Cat line, with the young stallions Saxon Warrior (Jpn) representing the former and Study Of Man (Ire) the latter. It is fervently hoped that in time these two winners of the 2000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club in 2018 can continue the success of their sire in Europe.

Watch List

A sireline that has thrived in a stealthily successful way over the years is that of Acclamation (GB), who is now 22 and in his 18th season covering at Rathbarry Stud.

The old boy himself provided one of the most popular results of Derby day when his 8-year-old son Oh This Is Us (Ire) won his 16th race and first at group level when just outpointing 7-year-old Century Dream (Ire) in the G3 Diomed S.

This followed two fantastic results for Acclamation's late son Harbour Watch (Ire) on Friday when first Pyledriver posted a popular win in the G1 Coronation Cup for William Muir and Chris Grassick, backed up later that day in America by the GII Belmont Gold Cup triumph of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Baron Samedi (GB). Both are members of the penultimate of Harbour Watch's five crops conceived at Tweenhills before his retirement from covering in 2018 and death the following year.

On Nov. 29, 2017, the foals that would become known as Baron Samedi and Pyledriver were sent through the ring at Tattersalls 50 lots apart, both offered by the late Kevin Mercer's Usk Valley Stud. The first was bought by LECH Racing for 3,500gns, while Pyledriver was a 10,000gns buy-back by breeders Roger Devlin and Guy and Hugh Leach.

Mercer, who died not long after the foals were born at his Welsh farm, was the breeder of Baron Samedi and the advisor to Pyledriver's breeders when they retired their first mare to stud. He is much missed, but the two sons of Harbour Watch, in whom Mercer had a strong belief, paid him a great posthumous compliment on Saturday.

Acclamation's son Mehmas (Ire) is rarely far from the breeding headlines these days, and he was another to feature at Epsom via the listed Surrey S. Victor Mehmento (Ire), while another, Dark Angel, notched his eighth Group/Grade 1 winner with Althiqa in America.

Dark Angel also appeared as the broodmare sire of the admirable Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel (Ire), who is by Rathbarry's rising star Kodi Bear (Ire), and we'll be hearing more about her and her trainer George Boughey in Wednesday's TDN. Furthermore, Dark Angel's son Lethal Force (Ire) is the sire of Mokaatil (GB), winner of the most terrifying race to be run on a British track, the downhill Epsom Dash.

The Tin Man, All Heart

It was not such good news over the weekend for Acclamation's grandson The Tin Man (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), who was retired after fracturing a leg at exercise eight days before his planned resumption in the listed Cathedral S. at Salisbury.

The 9-year-old won nine of his 31 races for James Fanshawe and Fred Archer Racing, his three Group 1 victories coming at Royal Ascot, British Champions Day and in the Haydock Sprint Cup.

Fortunately, The Tin Man was swiftly and successfully operated on at Newmarket Equine Hospital, where he is currently recovering, and he will now spend his retirement with James and Jacko Fanshawe at Pegasus Stables.

“He's recovering well. James went see him today and I am hoping to see him tomorrow,” said Jacko Fanshawe on Monday. “He'll be in the hospital for about a week and then he will stay with us for good.”

The Fanshawe stable has enjoyed plenty of success with The Tin Man's family over the years. His half-brother Deacon Blues (GB) (Compton Place {GB}) previously won the QIPCO British Champions Sprint when it was still a Group 2 race, and he also notched a hat-trick of Group 3 wins among his seven victories. Another half-sibling, Indian Tygress (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}), won three races in 2018, while currently in the yard is the 3-year-old full-sister to The Tin Man, Persaria (GB), who has been placed twice this season and looks poised to win before too long.

The trainer's wife, who runs the Fred Archer Racing syndicate, added, “The Tin Man was due to run on Sunday. We weren't going to run him in such big races any more but he had been in such good form. He's been such a star and it's a huge relief that the surgery went well. We're looking forward to him coming home.”

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Bolshoi Ballet ‘Very Sore’ Following Cazoo Derby

Coolmore partners' Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who sustained a cut to his hind leg in the G1 Cazoo Derby before finishing seventh, is reported to be 'very sore', but that the injury will not take significant time to heal. The dual Group 3 winner was favoured at Epsom on Saturday.

“He was very sore this morning,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien. “We played back the videos of the race. At the top of the hill he had it, so he obviously got it in the first 150 yards. Usually with a horse if that happens late in a race it doesn't affect them much because their blood is up, but this happened very early so it suggests it was a good reason for a disappointing run. It was just off the tendon at the back. The lads thought seven to 10 days is when we should be able to do something again with him.”

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St Mark’s Basilica Completes A Classic Double At Chantilly

As far as passages around Chantilly's circuit go in the 10 1/2-furlong G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) enjoyed one as perfect as is possible on Sunday as he toyed with his rivals in the 181st edition of the Classic. Hardly breaking sweat to become the fourth colt to complete the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-Prix du Jockey Club double since 2005, Ballydoyle's 14-5 favourite was slotted behind the pace-setting Normandy Bridge (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) from his ideal draw by Ioritz Mendizabal and saved ground against the rail the whole way. As the long-time leader drifted left in the straight, an ideal gap opened for him to slip through 300 metres from the finish and after receiving a whip surged away to settle the outcome in an instant. Flashing his tail late and pulling himself up in the clear, the dominant winner who becomes his stable's fifth Classic winner of 2021 and its first Jockey Club winner was in front by 1 3/4 lengths at the line from Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), with Millebosc (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) a short head away in third. “It is a thrill to ride again for Aidan O'Brien and there was no doubt I was riding the best horse in the race,” Mendizabal commented after completing back-to-back wins in the Classic following Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) 12 months ago. “The only concern was whether he would stay or not and although it was my opinion after the Poulains that he would, he had to confirm it and he did it in great style. I had a lovely run through the race and he did everything right. He's a true champion.”

It could be argued that this Classic was effectively decided when the draw was made, as the Rosegreen candidate already had enough of a class edge over his assembled peers without the addition of such a clear advantage in the post position. Neither keen nor lazy from the break, the bay was able to move forward and draft in a true “catbird seat” with the giant Normandy Bridge almost acting as shepherd in front. With the Rouget trio Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}), Makaloun (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Saiydabad (Blame) effectively scuppered by their wide draws, they all became hopelessly detached from an early stage and the real action was all up front. Millebosc had tracked the eventual winner against the fence and he was able to enter contention in his own time, but in truth there was only Sealiway who at an insulting 53-1 could even remotely threaten inside the final two furlongs. That G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere hero briefly flattered before Mendizabal shot up the rail on St Mark's Basilica and was able to temporarily take a pull, such was his control of the race at that stage. As he had in ParisLongchamp's mile Classic three weeks earlier, the winner was in a different league once his acceleration had been employed and while the winning margin was not exaggerated, his superiority was.

Very few European Derby winners are able to win over six furlongs at two, but St Mark's Basilica is in that unique category having broken his maiden over that trip at The Curragh in August, just 13 days after running fifth in the G1 Phoenix S. over the same track and trip. Third to Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Wembley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) over seven furlongs in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. back there in September, the bay took a step forward to reverse the form with that pair in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket on his 2-year-old finale in October. Whether he ends up a G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe contender remains to be seen, especially as the stable already has a cluster of horses for that showcase, and it is more likely that he will become another from Ballydoyle able to mix it between a mile and 10 furlongs.

“We are absolutely delighted–we thought he'd come forward from his first run at Longchamp, as they usually do and Ioritz gave him a brilliant ride,” his trainer said. “He's a great horseman and very intelligent–he takes all the information on board and when he rode for us at Deauville last year we were very impressed with him. When Frankie rode St Mark's Basilica last year in the Dewhurst, he said he'd have no problem with a mile and a quarter and he relaxes and quickens and is a very easy horse to manoeuvre–he's a very intelligent horse. We know the pace he has and it makes him very special–he has those qualities you need in France more than anywhere really. He was very impressive on his first run and did the same thing today–he puts a race to bed very quickly and very few can do that. He's out of a Galileo mare by Siyouni and he has the qualities of both. We'll see how he comes out of this and its possible he'll stay further, but when you have a horse who is able to quicken over mile like he can you don't know. We'll see what the lads want to do, but he's a very exciting horse.”

Frederic Rossi said of Sealiway, “He ran a bad race last time in the Poulains and that was my mistake, as I think I gave him too hard a race in the Fontainebleau first time this season. He was not quite ready for that and so paid the price in the Poulains, but he had given every sign that he was bouncing back in the mornings and we saw the Sealiway I know on the track this afternoon. There is no doubt that he was beaten by a better horse, but the result says that the European champion 2-year-old won and the French champion 2-year-old was second which says it all. We'll give him a break and bring him back for the [G2 Prix] Guillaume d'Ornano [at Deauville Aug. 14].”

Millebosc's trainer Stephanie Nigge said, “I'm still crying–it was a little bit too much pressure! I always said he was a nice one and he's run a superb race. Unfortunately, he had a few setbacks earlier in the season and we had to bring him back for the races late and he still needed the race in the Prix de Guiche last time. He had changed a lot and improved physically since. He'll probably stay further in the second half of the season and he's a top horse for the future.”

St. Mark's Basilica becomes the second Prix du Jockey Club hero for his sire and also gives his G3 Silver Flash S.-winning dam Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a third Classic after Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) took the 2019 G1 2000 Guineas. Cabaret is kin to the G3 Solario S. winner Drumfire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the Hong Kong stakes scorer Ho Choi (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Gimcrack S. The third dam Fife (Ire) (Lomond), who was third in the Listed Lupe S., is also the second dam of the G3 Park S. winner and G1 Moyglare S. runner-up Ugo Fire (Ire) (Bluebird) and is a half-sister to Piffle (GB) (Shirley Heights {GB}). She in turn is the dam of the GI Hollywood Turf Cup hero Frenchpark (GB) (Foolshome) and the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}). Cabaret's unraced 2-year-old full-brother to St Mark's Basilica is named Paris Lights (Ire), while she also has a colt foal by Kingman (GB).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
QATAR PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB-G1, €1,500,000, Chantilly, 6-6, 3yo, c/f, 10 1/2fT, 2:07.30, sf.
1–ST MARK'S BASILICA (FR), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Witch of Fife, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Fife (Ire), by Lomond
(1,300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Robert Scarborough (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €857,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eur, G1SW-Eng & G1SP-Ire, 7-4-1-1, €1,528,756. *1/2 to Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Ire at 7-9.5f & MG1SW-Eng, $597,769. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sealiway (Fr), 128, c, 3, Galiway (GB)–Kensea (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). (€62,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie & Guy Pariente; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Frederic Rossi. €342,900.
3–Millebosc (Fr), 128, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Mixed Intention (Ire), by Elusive City. O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA (FR); T-Stephanie Nigge. €171,450.
Margins: 1 3/4, SHD, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.90, 53.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: Saiydabad, Cheshire Academy (Fr), Pretty Tiger (Ire), Adhamo (Ire), Derab (GB), Makaloun (Fr), Van Gogh, Normandy Bridge (Fr), Megallan (GB), Fort Payne (Fr), Baby Rider (Fr), El Drama (Ire), Smile Makers (Fr), Ninth Titan (Ire), Royal Word (Fr), Policy of Truth (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Dynamite On The Downs

It has become custom for some to yearn for the glory days of the Epsom Derby, when the blue riband of the English turf sat proud on its Wednesday slot dominating the consciousness of the London area. While it has fallen some way short of its past standard as a national treasure, one of the factors in its relative demise has been lack of competition but this year's Cazoo-sponsored renewal stands up on that score at least. In fact, with all its converging plots there has not been as exciting a Derby as this for some time and the fact that Ballydoyle have narrowed their focus to just one lends it even more gravitas. Will 'TDN Rising Star' Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) mark the 20th anniversary of his sire's triumph with a performance worthy of the extraordinary burden of responsibility placed on him? Is the other 'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) able to mark his anointment as tribute horse with glory in the prize his namesake plundered with Shirley Heights (GB) and Erhaab? Can his sire get off the mark in the race he was steered away from? Can Newmarket reimpose itself on the Derby again? Will it be another grand title-bearer in Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) who prevails? Will Sheikh Hamdan's legacy be championed by Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB})? How will Friday's non-forecast excessive rain affect the outcome?

Beginning with Bolshoi Ballet, it is safe to say that Aidan O'Brien has not delivered as obvious a Derby talent since 2009 when Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) went through the G3 Ballysax S. and G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial with similarly authoritarian poise. Before him, Galileo, High Chaparral (Ire) and Yeats (Ire) also took that “old school” route with injury interjecting to stop the last of that trinity from following up in this prestige event. Bolshoi Ballet has the look of his sire–who also went it alone in 2001–about him and the dramatic show of faith that his team have placed in him speaks volumes. “He was always going to have those two races in the spring after travelling as a 2-year-old and he's very uncomplicated and relaxed, stays and quickens,” O'Brien said. “He has a very good mind and does everything right. He's happy to sit in or make the running–that's the way he's always been. You're never sure about anything and it is a new track for him, but Leopardstown is left-handed. Obviously it's not as extreme as Epsom, but you have to quicken and you have to go left and down the hill and up the hill and all that kind of stuff. We always thought he would stay, but he's a very good-moving horse with plenty of class and speed so the rain is not ideal. He did handle it okay in France last year and didn't fold up, so hopefully he'll be able to cope with it. It's another chapter in his career, so it will be interesting and we'll learn a lot from it.”

Remarkably, Ryan Moore has not ridden the stable's last three Derby winners and must have been downhearted to miss out to Frankie in both the English fillies' Classics so far, but there is no danger of being on the wrong one this time. “I don't see the extra two furlongs here being a problem and he is just a straightforward and very classy colt. Straightforward is what you want around here, while his draw in nine is just fine. If he runs to his form and the level we expect, then he should be going close but this is a Derby and you can't be complacent, especially against a whole host of unexposed horses as he faces here.”

Just a cursory glance at the racing results from March to now show that Ireland has a genuine edge over Britain across the board under both flat and National Hunt codes and therefore it is no surprise that Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and Bolshoi Ballet enter this Classic as officially the two top-rated colts. Mac Swiney upset his own stable's G1 2000 Guineas hero Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) in the Curragh equivalent a fortnight ago and did so coming off a far-from-ideal preparation having scoped dirty after his below-par return in Bolshoi Ballet's G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown May 9. Friday's prolonged rainfall will have been a welcome sight to Jim Bolger, with the homebred seeming to excel on easy ground and he has everything in place for a big effort now. “You know how well he was a couple of weeks ago and he came out of that race very well and he's been fine since,” his owner, breeder and trainer said.

It is 27 years since the Shadwell silks were carried to success here, with the John Dunlop-trained Erhaab swooping five years after the great Nashwan had opened the operation's account. There have been few more visually stunning winners than the William Haggas-trained Mohaafeth in the May 1 Listed Newmarket S., an early prep which last saw the Derby hero in 1985 as Slip Anchor (GB) took it in en route. One of a Frankel trio with live chances, his five-length success in that four-runner contest in which at least two rivals under-performed is of either major or little significance and it will be impossible to tell until they have passed the post here. What he does have is a beautiful pedigree and temperament and all of the potential it is possible to possess. It is fair to say that of all the main principals, Mohaafeth was the one with connections least wanting this type of ground and their sense of anticipation has been dampened.

Ed Dunlop may not have trained an abundance of high-profile horses throughout his career, but most of his profession can only dream of having a Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) or Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab). That the former has already produced a Derby winner in Australia (GB) only means that the onus on Snow Fairy is greater as her John Leeper enters this renowned theatre. When giving the dam's first colt his title, Cristina Patino was exercising the kind of prescience that graced the late Khalid Abdullah as he bestowed the name Frankel on his greatest Thoroughbred prize. John Leeper has come though the initial stage of his career fully justifying his owner-breeder's bold call and his deceptively impressive win in the May 15 Listed Fairway S. at Newmarket has only served to augment the level of enthusiasm surrounding the handsome homebred.

“It is probably one of the more interesting stories of the race. Having a horse named after my father is very exciting and it creates a little bit of pressure for everyone, but at the moment the horse has no idea there is any pressure on him so hopefully we can enjoy it,” Dunlop commented. “Of course it is quite emotional as well and it would be a great day if he could go on and win the Derby. The trip should be up his street, because his mum won the Oaks. I'd be surprised if there was any problem with the trip.”

Frankel's prospects of a first Derby winner are significantly boosted by the presence of Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who comes here as the winner of York's G2 Dante S. May 13. Although the importance of that extended 10-furlong prep has tended to wax and wane over time, the subsequent exploits of its winners Golden Horn (GB), Authorized (Ire), Motivator (GB) and North Light (Ire) and of the beaten Workforce (GB) have upheld its reputation as a blue riband trial of significance. Hurricane Lane showed a tenacity there which will stand him in good stead, especially with Friday's rain coming in the nick of time for the unbeaten chestnut. “As we saw in the Dante, his best work was in the last couple of hundred yards. Everything bodes well to step him up to a mile and a half and it might bring about further improvement,” Charlie Appleby said. “He lacks racing experience, but he has done well since York and one of his great attributes is he is laid-back. Sometimes, the occasion can get to horses on Derby Day but I don't think it will be any problem to him. I thought he showed character in the Dante. He's a colt you can put anywhere in a race, so he should adapt to any tactical moves.”

With the drastic change in the going, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Godolphin's Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who were first and second in the May 8 Lingfield Derby Trial staged on soft ground, come into play. It is also a boost to Teme Valley's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Gear Up (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) who was fifth in the Dante, and to Godolphin's G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was 3/4-of-a-length second to Mac Swiney in the G1 Futurity Trophy on heavy ground in October.

Third Realm's trainer Roger Varian said, “He's not a big horse, he's a small-to-medium colt. He's very well-balanced, he's got gate speed and I'm quite confident he's going to get the trip. He's versatile, he can relax in behind horses and has shown a turn of foot. He's pretty straightforward and I think he's the type of horse Andrea [Atzeni] could put anywhere, which is comforting, going into a race like this.”

Appleby said of his other duo, “One Ruler had a very good two-year-old profile. He was never out of the first three in five starts and the form with Mac Swiney, who recently won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is very solid. I am confident he will be one of the last to come off the bridle. The trip is a big question mark, but if he is going to get a mile and a half he has got a good chance of getting it around Epsom. Adayar gained valuable experience in the two trials, particularly at Lingfield, where he fought on well. He will see out the trip really well. He is lightly-raced and with maturity will be a nice type. Placed in two Derby trials, he is worthy of his place in the field.”

The two supporting races, the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. for fillies and mares, and the G3 Diomed S., take place over an extended mile and in the latter Juddmonte's Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) will provide a last clue ahead of the main feature. Second to Hurricane Lane in a 10-furlong conditions event at Newbury Apr. 16, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained homebred had Tasman Bay (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) back in third on that occasion and that rival went on to be second to John Leeper in the Fairway. A son of Frankel's half-sister Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Maximal has his own agenda to work to and despite a few reversals he remains a colt of importance to his breeding operation dropping back in trip.

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