Epsom Hosts Classic Hopefuls

Several Classic candidates for the upcoming G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 Cazoo Oaks on June 5 and June 4, respectively, took spins around Epsom Downs Racecourse on Monday morning.  Derby colts One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), representing Godolphin and Charlie Appleby and Ed Dunlop's listed winner and 'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were first-time visitors to the fabled course.

The former, who won the G3 Emirates Autumn S. last October next ran second in the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. to Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Aus}). He was sixth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 1.

“I was very pleased with what I saw there,” said Appleby, who won the 2018 Derby with Masar (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), of the colt's gallop. “He is a naturally balanced horse but he hasn't encountered anything like that before.

“The first couple or three furlongs he was taking James [Doyle] on a bit. We already had it in our mindset that we were going to come straight from the Guineas to the Derby. We felt that bringing him would ensure we wouldn't be going into The Derby too fresh–that was the main objective of the exercise and I was delighted with what I saw there.

“He is a horse that has form on soft ground so these conditions weren't going to worry us. He has moved well on the track and picked up well up the straight there. Visually, I don't think you could be any happier with what we saw really. If the race was 10 furlongs you would be delighted. It is going to be a big question mark the mile and a half, there is no doubt about it.”

Appleby also revealed that Doyle would be aboard the colt in the Derby, with G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. hero Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) the choice of William Buick.

“William [Buick] had the choice of them and we spoke about it,” Appleby added. “Without putting too much pressure on William I said it would be helpful from the team's point of view to make a call as it gives James the chance to ride him here if he is going to be riding him in the Derby. William said it is not very often that you get the chance to ride a Dante winner in the Derby so his mind was firmly set on staying with Hurricane Lane and therefore James is first man to be jumping up on One Ruler.

“I'm delighted with Hurricane Lane. As you saw at York he is one of those characters that is very laid back. He just goes about his business but he has come out of the race very well and I'm looking forward to getting him here.”

Dunlop Pleased With John Leeper
Anamoine Limited homebred John Leeper ran fourth in his Doncaster debut last September, but resurfaced with a smart novice win at Newcastle on Apr. 30. The son of G1 Oaks heroine Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) made it two on the bounce with a 1 3/4-length win in the Listed Betway Fairway S. at Newmarket on May 15 and is named for trainer Ed Dunlop's late father John. The colt will be ridden by Adam Kirby in the Blue Riband.

Ed Dunlop said, “We were never going to do too much whether the ground was nice or not as he only the weekend before last. This was about bringing him to get a bit more experience with Adam [Kirby] on him. The ground was very soft, almost heavy but he looked to enjoy himself.

“He is an inexperienced horse but what I was pleased to see today was that he has been very relaxed doing the whole thing. He is not a baby but everything was new to him today. I was thrilled with the way he behaved and he wasn't keen going down the hill which was good as they were only going slowly.

“We will just keep him fit, healthy and sound leading up to the race and the rest will be up to the Gods. The trip should be up his street as his mum won the Oaks, although she was better as time went on at a mile and a quarter, but I'd be surprised if there was any problem with the trip.

“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. Of course it is quite emotional as well and it would be a great day if he could go on and win the Derby.”

Kirby Also Aboard Saffron Beach in the Cazoo Oaks
Leading G1 Cazoo Oaks contender Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was also in the capable hands of Adam Kirby for her gallop and will be ridden by him in the Oaks proper. Racing in the colours of Lucy Sangster, James Wigan and Ollie Sangster, the Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee won her first two starts, including the G3 Oh So Sharp S. in October and then was second in her seasonal bow in the G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. on Apr. 14. She closed to take second in the May 2 G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2.

“She was nice and relaxed,” said Jane Chapple-Hyam. “She was on the right lead and you would have to be happy with that. She gets her neck down low and stretches out and I was pleased to see that. It was very important she was on the correct lead leg as when they turn into the straight there is a camber and it takes them down to the far rail and you have to be aware of that.

“I think she will get the trip, as does Adam [Kirby]. Her exercise rider thinks she will get it and her owners thinks she will get it. We are all in the same boat. Her breeding suggests she has to do to get the trip but all animals are different and she is strong and powerful and relaxed and well balanced. We are just here to give it a go.

“The race and the other horses won't bother her–it will be the crowds as she has never seen a crowd. We will put the hood on her. She has practised with the hood at home but I didn't put it on her today as I wanted her to suck in all the atmosphere of what we have got today as you have got the odd dog walker and jogger. I think she has taken it well.”

Added Kirby said, “We went a mile and she seemed to handle the track. We went a sensible pace without doing too much. When we turned in, she got into gear and lengthened all the way to the line. She feels quite well balanced. The ground was very soft but she seemed to handle it. I think she is best on a small bit of ease on good ground but saying that she has done nothing wrong there today.

Australia's Ocean Road in Action at Epsom
Qatar Racing's stakes-placed Ocean Road (Ire) (Australia {GB}) also stepped out on Monday. Trained by Hugo Palmer, the bay ran second at Nottingham when unveiled on Oct. 14, graduated in a Lingfield novice on Dec. 2 and was a close third in the Listed Novibet Oaks Trial Fillies' S. there on May 8.

Trainer Hugo Palmer said, “She has handled the hill well here. She just took a little look at the road crossing and Oisin [Murphy] just had to give her a squeeze into Tattenham Corner but she has run to the line and every yard she has gone the better she has gone which is great.

“It is very soft ground here today and I think she would be better on better ground but she has relished that. She seems to me to be doing what 3-year-old fillies can do at this time of year which is improve very rapidly. She needs to find 20lbs on what she did at Lingfield to win an average Oaks but sometimes that is the sort of thing can happen and that is what we are dreaming might happen.”

“She has got a lot to learn but I hope that she has learned and I hope that she has improved,” Palmer added of the half-sister to two-time GI Northern Dancer Turf S. hero Wigmore Hall (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). “Her work last week was very pleasing and I was pleased with what I saw there.”

Mystery Angel an Oaks Possible
Nick Bradley Racing 27 & Partner's listed winner Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) is not currently entered in the G1 Cazoo Oaks and would have to be supplemented on May 29. However, the bay filly took a turn around Epsom on Monday morning and her effort was given a stamp of approval from trainer George Boughey.

“She is a very well balanced filly,” said Boughey. “I didn't really ask Ben [Curtis] to do a huge amount. It was more just to come and see the track and see how she came down the hill. She is a specialist at Newmarket where you have to handle going up and down. I'd hope she would handle it [Epsom Downs].

“I think the main thing we will be looking at is the opposition and see how many go there,” added Boughey of his charge, who already has 11 starts under her belt including a group placing and was fourth in the G3 Tattersalls Musidor S. at York on May 12. “The question mark is whether she gets the mile and a half. I think if the ground is like it is today we wouldn't be running, but the forecast looks good and if it comes quicker her best performance was on quick ground and in an open year we would probably like to give it a go. It is certainly not decision made yet.

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Mac Swiney Heads to the Derby, Royal Ascot For Poetic Flare

Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and his stablemate, G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas scorer Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) are bound for the G1 Cazoo Derby and Royal Ascot's G1 St James's Palace S., respectively, owner/breeder/trainer Jim Bolger revealed on the Luck on Sunday programme.

Bolger told Luck on Sunday of Mac Swiney, “As they say in the west of Ireland, I was mighty impressed with him. I thought that he stuck to the task really well–any horse wishing to take him on and beat him in the future will have to be up for it because he isn't going to give in easily.”

A winner of half of his eight starts, the chestnut won the G2 Futurity S. last August and added the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy on Oct. 24. He was fourth in his 3-year-old bow behind current Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. at Leopardstown on May 9.

“I'm very fortunate that the two talented 3-year-olds colts I have at the moment both have great temperaments and they can take anything that I throw at them.

“They're only different in the amount of work that they take. Mac Swiney takes very little work, whereas the other fella takes an awful lot of work, which is why I felt he would stand up to the three Guineas.”

Added Bolger of his Derby hopeful, “I'm the world's worst punter, so asking me what price he should be wouldn't get a very knowledgeable answer. In my mind there isn't anything ahead of him–the form is there now.”

Poetic Flare, who won the G3 Killavullan S. at Leopardstown at two and took the Listed Ballylinch Stud “Red Rocks” 2000 Guineas Trial S. there on Apr. 11, contested all three Guineas. The bay reported home sixth in the G1 French 2000 Guineas in very soft ground on May 16 prior to his Irish Guineas second. His next target is most likely the St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot.

Bolger said, “The three Guineas came about the year I had Finsceal Beo. In the end it was a few showers of rain in France that cost us the French Guineas, otherwise we would have had all three.

“We realised this [Poetic Flare] was a very talented horse with a lot of durability about him. He's tough and he could take it.

“Apart from a few things we got wrong in France and then beating him ourselves with a different horse, we could have had the three, so it is possible.

“With a little different circumstance he could be the winner of three Guineas today and that would be fairly unique.

“I said earlier in the week that whatever beat Poetic Flare would win the race. It's not often I'm right, but I was right on that occasion.”

Bolger added, “I'd say there's a good chance that he will [run in the St James's Palace]. It depends how he gets on in the meantime, but I'd say he's more likely to turn up there than not.

“I'd say he'll stay at a mile. The only thing that might cause us to divert from that would be the Eclipse at Sandown, but then I have to keep that in mind for Mac Swiney as well.”

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29 Remain in Cazoo Derby Reckoning

Fifty years on from Mill Reef (Never Bend)'s victory in the Blue Riband at Epsom Downs, 29 horses have stood their ground after the latest scratching stage for the 2021 G1 Cazoo Derby on June 5.

G3 Chester Vase scorer Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is doing well ahead of the Blue Riband. His best showing as a juvenile was a third in the G2 Veuve Clicquot Vintage S. and he was fourth in his seasonal opener-the Apr. 13 Listed bet365 Feilden S. at HQ.

Andrew Balding, the son of trainer Ian Balding who trained Mill Reef, said, “The Derby is still the plan for Youth Spirit. He seems fine after his run at Chester, he hasn't done a lot since but he's come out of the race well.

“The key thing to find out that day was whether he stayed the trip and he saw it out well. He'll go there with no stamina doubts, which there will be about some of the field and that's got to be to his advantage but it's a much stronger race than the Chester Vase was so he's got to up his game again.

“I don't think that the track will faze him. He's a very well balanced horse and he handled Chester well so he shouldn't have a problem with Epsom Downs. He's a different horse to [2020 Derby runner-up] Khalifa Sat, but both are very talented and if we can get the same result as last year with Youth Spirit we'd be delighted.

“It's great for the owner [Ahmad Al Shaikh] to have another contender for the race. He's a big supporter of racing and he's got plenty of horses in training with many yards so it's lovely for him to have another candidate for the Epsom Derby.

“It's the most important race of the year for any Flat trainer I think and to have a horse good enough to run in it is an achievement in itself–anything else on the day would be a massive bonus.”

There is, of course, a strong Irish presence in the Derby entries, with 14 horses coming over from the Emerald Isle. Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a record-extending ninth victory in the 1 1/2-mile Classic, has an octet entered at this stage including current ante-post favourite Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the impressive six-length winner of the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. One-time Derby favourite, G2 Beresford S. victor High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also enters after running third in the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. at York earlier this month. Others representing the Coolmore partners include French Group 1 winner Van Gogh (American Pharoah) and G3 Chester Vase S. second Sandhurst (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Jim Bolger's Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), the 2020 G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy S. victor and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial fourth, also stands his ground.

Godolphin currently has a quartet of Derby aspirants, among them the undefeated Dante winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), group winner and Group 1 placed One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the group-placed Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Group 1 winner Gear Up (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a winner of the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud and fifth in the Dante, represents Mark Johnston. Roger Varian fields listed winners El Drama (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Third Realm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}, while Richard Hannon will send G3 Betway Solario S. winner Etonian (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}). Listed Newmarket S. winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) steps forward for William Haggas. Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), successful in the G3 Zetland S. last October, is one of two for trainer Martyn Meade.

'TDN Rising Star' John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will also take part in the Epsom Classic. The Ed Dulop trainee broke his maiden at the second time of asking in a Newcastle novice on Apr. 30 and saluted in the Listed Betway Fairway S. at Newmarket on May 15. (Click here for a TDN video feature by Emma Berry).

The next confirmation stage is Monday, May 31st, while there is a final chance to enter with a supplementary fee of £63,750.

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Appleby’s Classic Colts Exit Guineas in Good Order

The Godolphin G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas team has excited the Newmarket showpiece in good order according to trainer Charlie Appleby. Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who ran second in the Guineas, is being freshening before returning in the June 15 G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot. Fourth-place finisher Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is also expected to be in action at the Royal meeting, although in the G3 Jersey S. on June 19. Rounding out the Appleby Guineas trio is One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who ran sixth and is eyeing several targets.

“They've all come out of their races well,” said Appleby. “The whole team look good–they all had an easy canter this [Tuesday] morning, and everybody is very happy with them.

“It was a great weekend for racing, and we were delighted with the way all ours ran. We had a touch of seconditis–but as I always say to the team, I'd rather finish second than second-last.

“We know the horses are in the right races and they're in good condition–and if we keep knocking on the door those doors will open.”

He added on his colts' next targets, “Master Of The Seas has had three runs this years now, so he deserves to have a little break. Hopefully we'll turn up at Ascot with some fresh legs. We'll look forward to potentially having a rematch with the winner in the St James's Palace.

“Naval Crown has got a couple of options, and I would say most likely we will look towards the Jersey with him. He's got plenty of boot, but to be fair, two of his best runs have been over the mile–beating Master Of The Seas at Meydan, and in the Guineas. He's got two solid mile performances behind him now, but it does look the most logical option for him to head to the Jersey.”

“Everyone is testing their [Derby] credentials over the next week, with the races at Chester followed by Lingfield at the weekend and then on to York next week,” said Appleby of the Chester-bound pair of Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB})at Lingfield and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who is returning in the G2 Dante S. at York.

“One Ruler is in the mix, for sure. The way he's bounced out of the Guineas, I'm very pleased with him. It's always hard to say where your horse is going to go immediately after the race, until you start to see how they've come out of it.

“The signs with all of them have been very good, so conversations will be had during the course of the week, firming up some plans for these horses.”

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