3 minute read

Everything has gone very smoothly with Delacroix

Epsom this Saturday is one of the biggest days in the racing calendar. The Derby is the most important race of the year for everyone.

Epsom is unique and it provides a proper test. This year, we've got a big field of 19 runners, which is great for the race, and it certainly makes it a challenge.

There'll be some top-quality horses in there, and some that when looking back on the race won't turn out to be so good. At this stage, the dream is alive for everyone.

We've got to keep an eye on the weather, as any more rain could have a significant impact on the race.

Epsom | Race 1: G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes

SIRONA is a mare with form on soft ground, so she won't mind any more rain.

I won a Listed race on heavy ground with her last season, and she made a nice enough reappearance when fourth at Goodwood in early May. She looks to hold every chance.

Epsom | Race 2: G3 Diomed Stakes

PERSICA won over 2000m here on Derby Day last season.

He was a good winner of the G3 Earl Of Sefton on his reappearance this season but then would have found the ground a bit quick in the G1 Lockinge at Newbury last time out.

Any rain will help his cause, and the track certainly holds no fears, so there's every reason to believe he'll run well.

Epsom | Race 5: G1 Derby Stakes

DELACROIX has form with give in the ground, so should handle a bit of ease, but we don't know how much we're going to get. The closer it is to good ground, the more it will suit everyone, while soft ground means some horses will struggle in it.

He's had a very good preparation for this, having won nicely on both his starts this season and he has plenty of experience on his side. Everything has gone very smoothly with him, we think he's in good shape and we expect him to run a big race.

As for Aidan's [O'Brien] other two runners, Lambourn will stay well and he's an uncomplicated horse that can probably handle most types of going, while we're not sure about The Lion In Winter.

He's never run on anything slower than good ground, but I don't see any reason he wouldn't go on it, he's a good moving horse. At York, he was only just about ready to start back, so he should take a big step forward, and going up to a mile-and-a-half shouldn't be a problem based on his pedigree.

There's very little to separate the three of them to be honest. They're all there to run their race and I just have to hope that it pans out well for me.

For me, the Guineas winner, Ruling Court, has the best form in the race. Stepping up markedly in trip does raise a big question mark, but he's by Justify out of a High Chaparral mare, so there's a chance he'll stay. If it got very wet, you wouldn't be sure if he'll handle that.

Both of the Frankel horses for the Gosdens, Damysus and Nightwalker, look like improving for the step up in trip, while Pride Of Arras is an obvious challenger having won the Dante well and it looks like he'll stay.

Midak is an interesting runner, having won a trial in France. The late Aga Khan has a good record in the race, and it would be fitting for him to run well with the race named in his honour this year.