Epsom Derby | Horse Racing Free Tips

Buick, Doyle, Kirby In Ballydoyle Derby Reckoning

Aidan O’Brien has a top squad of British-based jockeys at the ready for his team of seven potential G1 Investec Derby runners, among them William Buick, James Doyle and Adam Kirby. Ryan Moore will have first choice of whatever the Ballydoyle master opts to leave in the race, but with coronavirus health restrictions continuing to make it complicated for riders to travel across Europe, as at Royal Ascot and with the Guineas O’Brien’s Irish-based riders are unlikely to travel.

“We don’t know what Ryan will ride. He’ll always make that decision late,” said O’Brien. “He’ll look at the draws, we’ll tell him what we think might happen, but it’s been different this year because Ryan isn’t [working at Ballydoyle]. He’ll make his decision late and then we’ll put everyone else on what we think will suit.”

O’Brien’s shortest-priced Derby entrant at this early stage is the G3 Hampton Court S. winner Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as the general 6-1 third choice, while Mogul (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is nipping at his heels at 7-1.

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Derby Double Not Off The Table For Santiago

Trainer Aidan O’Brien has revealed that the door is still open for Saturday’s G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) to attempt to make it two Derbies in seven days in the Epsom version on July 4. Santiago and his five stablemates that contested the Curragh Classic could be entered for the G1 Investec Derby on Monday, O’Brien told Racing TV’s Luck On Sunday programme.

“It’s very possible [those that ran in Irish Derby could run at Epsom],” O’Brien said. “If any of them come out of the race exceptionally well and [the owners] want to make an entry, that’s what will happen. They didn’t do much [on Sunday], they’ll do a canter [on Monday] and a decision will be made some time during the morning. It was unconventional to run them so soon after Ascot, but they came out of the race well and that is why they ran. Nothing is definitely ruled out.”

As for those targeting Epsom who did not run at The Curragh, O’Brien said, “The lads are thinking about Mythical (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), who was a very nice 2-year-old last season. Then there’s a horse called Amhran Na Bhfiann (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who finished fourth in the maiden the second, third and fourth from the Irish Derby ran in.

“We’ve Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who won at Ascot–he seems to have come out of it well. Then we’ve Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who seems to have come out of Ascot well. We wanted two races before the Derby for him which is why he went there, we were trying to squeeze two races into one–we’ve been very happy with him since.

“The lads are talking about running Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was second in the Irish Guineas so that would be an interesting one and the third from the Guineas, Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), is possible as well, but he could go to France. Those are the horses in the picture at the moment that didn’t run yesterday.”

O’Brien also identified four likely candidates for the G1 Investec Oaks on the same card, headed by his English and Irish Guineas winners.

“Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is working towards the Oaks and Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is as well,” the trainer said. “The two fillies who were second and third in the Ribblesdale [Ennistymon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})] are on that programme at the moment.”

There was some Derby jockey news on Sunday as well, with Andrea Atzeni confirmed for Golden Gates H. winner Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}). Tom Marquand, who was recently taken off favourite English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}), will have his first Derby ride as he continues his association with the Andrew Balding-trained Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}), according to Racing Post.

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Kameko Pleases Balding In Kempton Gallop

Trainer Andrew Balding said he has “been really pleased” with Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) since his victory in the June 6 G1 2000 Guineas, and that the Qatar Racing colorbearer came through a racecourse gallop at Kempton on Wednesday well. He is aiming for the July 4 G1 Investec Derby.

“He went to Kempton [on Wednesday] for a gallop, which we did before Newmarket 10 days prior, and it went well,” Balding said. “We had the option of going to Epsom, they kindly offered, but I felt he needed a decent piece of work and I felt more comfortable doing that at a place we’d done it before. We played safe, went to Kempton and we’re perfectly happy with what he did.

“We were all thrilled. It was an easy piece for him, relatively speaking, he worked with the same lead horses he worked with before the Guineas–not group horses by any stretch–but he pulled clear very nicely. In terms of pointing to his fitness levels, he had a really good blow, he scoped clean afterwards, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Kameko is aiming to become the first colt to complete the Guineas/Derby double since Camelot (GB) in 2012. Just two others-Dawn Approach (Ire) and Saxon Warrior (Jpn)-have attempted it in the interim.

“Obviously there is no way of knowing [if he’ll stay the trip] until you try,” Balding said. “The figures show he’s very talented. The whole point of the Guineas and the Derby is that one is a test of speed and the other a test of temperament, stamina and agility. We’ve passed the speed test, now we’ve to pass the other.”

Balding’s father Ian is best known for training the great Mill Reef, who was second in the Guineas in 1971 before going on to win the Derby. Andrew Balding said his father has chimed in on his son’s Classic double attempt.

“My dad was saying, ‘why not gallop him over a mile and a half’ which is what they did in those days–Mill Reef did it between running in the Guineas and the Derby–but you can’t find it out at home, you’ve got to suck it and see,” the younger Balding said.

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Military March Out Of Epsom Derby

Godolphin G3 Autumn S. winner and G1 2000 Guineas fourth Military March (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) has been ruled out of the July 4 G1 Investec Derby after suffering a setback, according to trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Military March was third favourite for the blue riband.

“He’ll be back by the end of the season, but his setback means no Derby,” the trainer said. “He’s a nice horse, we like him and he was doing really well so it’s really unfortunate. He’ll have a break now, but he should be back in October and we’ll look forward to that.

“It’s sad that he’s not running. He ran a good race in the Guineas and the Derby looked the perfect race for him; we’ve always felt he was a mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half horse, but he’s still one to look forward to in the future. It’s not serious, but he just needs time.

“He would have been my best chance in the Derby for a long time.”

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