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Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Royal Ascot TIPS: Newsboy's picks and 1-2-3 for every race on Wednesday on ITV
The top tipster names his 1-2-3 in a detailed analysis of all seven races on day two of the five day royal meeting of which the feature is the £1 million Prince of Wales's Stakes The biggest event in horse racing's Flat racing calendar, the five-day Royal Ascot meeting, is under way. The best horses, trainers and jockeys from Europe and others from around the world descend on the Berkshire track for the renowned occasion. Day two features one of the meeting's signature races, the £1 million Prince of Wales's Stakes, supported by one of the most competitive handicaps of the year, the 1m Royal Hunt Cup contested by 30 runners up the famous straight. 2.30 Queen Mary Stakes SPICY MARG impressed on her debut at Newmarket and should not be underestimated. The Michael Bell-trained filly is bred to be quick, being a daughter of champion sprinter Starspangledbanner and Main Desire, who won two Listed races for the Fitzroy House yard. She made her racecourse bow against three opponents in a five-furlong novice stakes for fillies on the 1,000 Guineas undercard, being sent off the 7-2 joint-second favourite in a market dominated by even-money favourite Twilight Star. Racing in third place under Kieran Shoemark, Spicy Marg made headway on the run to the final furlong and, once hitting the front, accounted for the. Market leader by two and three-quarter lengths. The performance earned rave reviews from the clock watchers and, with plenty of improvement to come on the second start of her life, Spicy Marg can show to the fore. In a large field of youngsters whose best days lie ahead, Revival Power, Society Kiss, and True Love all merit a second look. 3.05 Queen's Vase DEVIL'S ADVOCATE, with the best form and stamina in his pedigree, is well equipped to win the argument. John and Thady Gosden gave the son of Too Darn Hot his debut in a one-mile Newmarket maiden last September and, on the back of a promising third, Devil's Advocate went two better by seven and a half lengths over an additional two furlongs at Chelmsford City three weeks later. Sent off the 6-4 favourite for the Listed Blue Riband Trial in April on his return, but my selection was all at sea round Epsom's rollercoaster, returning sixth of seven behind Sea Scout. But Devil's Advocate was a different proposition as an 80-1 shot in York's Group 2 Dante Stakes - equipped with cheekpieces, he made the running and stuck to his task once headed a quarter of a mile from the finish to take fourth, beaten just over three lengths, to Pride Of Arras. With dam Precious Remotswe a Group 3 winner over a mile and six furlongs for the Clarehaven yard, William Buick's far-from-exposed partner should relish the step up in trip. The Aidan O'Brien pair Shackleton and Scandinavia are feared, with Asmarani another with a role to play. 3.40 Duke of Cambridge Stakes CINDERELLA'S DREAM is following a sharp upward curve and rates a worthy favourite to capture a second consecutive Group 2 prize in Britain. Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile in 2023, the Charlie Appleby-trained daughter of Shamardal scored twice at Meydan last season before suffering a first career defeat with a seventh to Elmalka in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. My selection then went to America to capture the top-tier Belmont Oaks at Belmont At The Big A and Grade 2 Saratoga Oaks at Saratoga, rounding off the campaign with an unlucky second to Moira in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar. Cinderella's Dream suffered a shock reverse in a Group 2 at Meydan in February on her return but went one better in impressive style in the same-level Dahlia Stakes on Newmarket's 1,000 Guineas undercard. William Buick's mount stormed away to beat Elmalka by four and a half lengths and a 3lb penalty for that performance may not stop her from going in for the eighth time from 11 attempts. Fallen Angel, Elmalka and last year's winner Running Lion are the most convincing candidates for the podium places. NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 CINDERELLA'S DREAM, 2 FALLEN ANGEL, 3 RUNNING LION 4.20 Prince of Wales's Stakes LOS ANGELES is reinventing himself as a mile-and-a-quarter and is expected to pass his toughest test at the distance. This time last year, Camelot's son, third to City Of Troy in the Derby, was less than two weeks away from victory in the Irish equivalent, and talk was of the St Leger after he landed York's Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in August. But Aidan O'Brien opted to come back to 10 furlongs for the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown - a move that resulted in a fourth-of-eight finish behind Economics. On the back of a third to Bluestocking when returned to a mile and a half for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Los Angeles came back ninth of 11 behind Anmaat over today's course and distance - the run left a question mark over his suitability for the shorter trip - in October. But O'Brien has stuck to the plan and it is paying off. After holding White Birch by a neck for the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes at the Curragh at the beginning of last month, Ryan Moore's mount lifted his second Group 1 prize - and his first at 10 furlongs - with by a battling half length from Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup there 20 days later. The runner-up lacked race fitness and his connections will fancy their chances of revenge, but Los Angeles found more when it mattered and can maintain his superiority. See The Fire is the choice to edge out Map Of Stars and Ombudsman for the bronze medal. NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 LOS ANGELES, 2 ANMAAT, 3 SEE THE FIRE 5.00 Royal Hunt Cup BULLET POINT is proving a hard horse for the handicapper to get hold of - and may evade his grip once more. His first three outings of last year, in novice stakes at Newbury, Kempton Park and Windsor, suggested the William Haggas-saddled son of Advertised, unraced as a juvenile, had ability but wasn't the finished article. A gelding operation preceded Bullet Point's handicap debut, which yielded a fourth at Wolverhampton in September, but my selection then rounded off the campaign with scores at Newcastle and Newmarket. Haggas reintroduced the four-year-old in a valuable handicap over a mile at Newmarket's Craven fixture in April, and Bullet Point took another step forward, racking up the hat-trick with a three-and-a-quarter-length beating of Tribal Chief. There's an 8lb rise to deal with in a much tougher contest, but Tom Marquand's mount still looks a fair way from the bottom of the barrel. The Royal Hunt Cup short list is a long one, topped by My Cloud, Fox Legacy, Tony Montana and Sisyphean. NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 BULLET POINT, 2 TONY MONTANA, 3 FOX LEGACY 5.35 Kensington Palace Stakes ARISAIG rates the value play against last month's course-and-distance conqueror, and today's favourite, Rainbows Edge. The Charlie Johnston-trained filly was at the top of her game in high summer last year, gaining a fourth career success in a handicap for her gender at Glorious Goodwood. Arisaig didn't reproduce that form in her three subsequent outings of 2024 but there was promise in her return-to-action fifth behind Ebt's Guard in the Spring Cup at Newbury in April, and plenty went wrong when she finished a close fifth to Crimson Advocate in Goodwood's Listed Conqueror Fillies' Stakes three weeks later. Callum Shepherd's partner is 2lb better of with Rainbows Edge for a three-quarter-length beating on the Victoria Cup undercard last month - the winner was more advantageously placed throughout - and yet is available at more than double the odds. Rainbows Edge is lightly raced and has obvious claims, while Sky Safari, Serialise and Independent Expert are other names to throw into the mix. NEWSBOY'S 1-2-3: 1 ARISAIG, 2 RAINBOWS EDGE, 3 INDEPENDENT EXPERT 6.10 Windsor Castle Stakes UTMOST RESPECT is worthy of exactly that as he seeks to build on the promise of his racecourse debut at York's Dante Festival last month. Richard Fahey gave the son of Invincible Spirit his first start against five opponents in a valuable five-furlong novice stakes, for which Utmost Respect went off the 11-4 second favourite. In the event, my selection did everything bar win - racing with enthusiasm behind the leaders, Utmost Respect and Oisín Orr found their path blocked passing the halfway point. Switching out for daylight over a furlong from the finish, the Musley Bank youngster ran on strongly to get within half a length of Ballistic Missile. Clear water would have seen Utmost Respect go close - at the very least - and there is plenty more where that came from. Havana Hurricane, Rogue Supremacy, Gaga Mate and Azizam have all got their careers off to a promising start and are entitled to respect.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Horse Power: The Lion In Winter to roar back with victory in the Betfred Derby at Epsom
It could be déjà vu for trainer Aidan O'Brien as THE LION IN WINTER can roar back in summer and provide him with a record-extending 11th victory in the Betfred Derby (In Honour Of His Highness Aga Khan IV) (No Geldings) (3.35pm) at Epsom on Saturday afternoon. Advertisement For the third year in a row the Ballydoyle maestro's winter ante-post Derby favourite is on a retrieval mission having – like Auguste Rodin in 2024 and City Of Troy 12 months ago – flopped on his seasonal return heading into the Colts' Classic. The Lion In Winter lost his unbeaten tag on just his third start when only sixth to the reopposing Pride Of Arras, trained by Ralph Beckett, in the Dante Stakes at York last month. Unlike those two stars – who went on to land the Colts' Classic at Epsom despite 2,000 Guineas disappointment – though, The Lion In Winter will not have the assistance of Ryan Moore. He will be riding stable-mate and potential favourite Delacroix after the Dubawi colt made a much smoother return to action with victories in two of the recognised trials for the Derby – the Group Three Ballysax Stakes at the end of March and the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes, formerly the Derrinstown, last month – both of which are run at Leopardstown in Ireland. READ MORE: Minnie Hauk lands the Betfred Oaks at Epsom READ MORE: Jan Brueghel crowned a winner in the Coronation Cup at Epsom Advertisement He is sure to go close to victory – along with another Coolmore runner Lambourn, who won one of the other trials – the Chester Vase on the Roodee – but he may have to play second fiddle to his stable-mate The Lion In Winter. The son of the legendary Sea The Stars – who won the Derby in 2009 – has had injury issues since two stunning successes as a juvenile. Following a Curragh maiden win and then an even better victory in the Group Three Acomb Stakes – when he had subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner, Charlie Appleby's Ruling Court, who is vying for favouritism for a second Classic success, back in third – The Lion In Winter was off the track for the rest of the season and was late coming to hand this year. He didn't settle in the preliminaries and early in the race in the Dante and was also stopped when making a late move giving him little chance of making a winning return behind the impressive Pride Of Arras. But he is sure to come on plenty for that return and we have seen so many of O'Brien's leading lights improving tremendously after their first run of the season. The Lion In Winter will have to settle better at Epsom, but if he does, he is arguably the horse with the most talent and potential in what is a high-quality 19-strong field for the premier Classic. Under Colin Keane, he can improve for his return and despite being drawn widest in stall 19 he can get some of the lustre back of his juvenile runs. A case can be made for many in the field including the aforementioned Delacroix, Lambourn, Ruling Court, Pride Of Arras and the last-named's stable-mate Stanhope Gardens. But a chance is taken that The Lion In Winter can roar again and resume his progress with Derby success. Advertisement James Tate's ROYAL DRESS – set to be ridden by Godolphin jockey and Liverpool FC fan William Buick – can go a couple of places better than 12 months ago and win the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored By Oddschecker) (1pm). The five-year-old mare was third in this mile contest 12 months ago when not getting the clearest of passages. She went on to win a Group Three contest at the Curragh and ran some good races in defeat. She was then third of four in the 1m2½f Group Two Middleton Stakes at York on her seasonal return at York last month. With that run under her belt and dropping back to an extended mile, Royal Dress can score again. German trainer Peter Shiergen's GEOGRAPHY – set to be ridden by Christophe Soumillon – can back up her recent Group Three win in Dusseldorf with another in the Group Three Betfred Diomed Stakes (1.35pm). GOLD STAR HERO can take the Betfred 3yo 'Dash' Handicap (2.10pm). Michael Bell's son of Starspangledbanner was unable to land a blow when drawn out wide at Chester's May Festival last month. But on this straighter track, he can be seen to better effect and can land a first win on Turf ahead of chiefly Kevin Ryan's duo Against The Wind and Cape Sovereign. Robert Cowell's speedy MICHAELA'S BOY has a solid chance of victory in the Aston Martin 'Dash' Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (2.45pm). The five-year-old gelding won a couple of times on the all-weather over the winter but is yet to score on two starts back on Turf this season. He was fourth over course and distance behind the reopposing Spartan Arrow in April and third at Goodwood last month. A generally consistent performer, Michaela's Boy may be able to land a first success on Turf since his debut at Windsor back in April 2022. Others in with a chance in the typically-competitive Dash are Mick Appleby's seven-year-old Blind Beggar, the George Baker-trained Desert Cop and Existent from the Stuart Williams' stable. Advertisement Baker's BEAULD AS BRASS saw his winning run come to an end when third at Newbury last month after four successes this season. But he can bounce back to winning ways in the Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (4.15pm). Andrew Balding's CHARTWELL JOCK – who was third at Ascot last month – can go a couple of places better in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Lester Piggott Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (5pm). While in the finale, the JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap (5.40pm), Richard Fahey's STRIKE RED and the Mick Appleby-trained Intervention can both go well with preference just for the former to return to winning ways on his fourth start of the season. At Musselburgh FIERY LUCY – from the Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning stablemate of Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell – can build on a recent second at Leopardstown to win the Listed Edinburgh Gin Queen Of Scots British EBF Fillies' Stakes (3.10pm). Others who can triumph in Scotland are Ed Bethell's course and distance winner I AM ME in the Edinburgh Cup Handicap (3.50pm); another with course and distance form in the past, the Amanda Perrett-trained SIXCOR, in the Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb And Ginger Handicap (1.20pm); John and Sean Quinn's Power Of Gold in the Edinburgh Gin Classic Handicap (1.55pm); and ARRANMORE, from the Micky Hammond stable, in the finale, the Edinburgh Gin Cannonball Handicap (4.55pm). Advertisement At Doncaster Bryan Smart's last-time-out winner CASTAN can go in again in the the Daniel Jones Handicap (5.45pm); and the Mick Appleby-trained BILLYJOH can score in the Happy Birthday Nigel Kirby Handicap (7.15pm). Wright Ones EPSOM 1pm Royal Dress 1.35pm Geography 2.10pm Gold Star Hero 2.45pm Michaela's Boy 3.30pm 1 The Lion In Winter (NAP) 2 Delacroix 3 Lambourn 4.15pm Beauld As Brass 5pm Chartwell Jock 5.40pm Strike Red MUSSELBURGH 1.20pm Sixcor 1.55pm Power Of Gold 2.30pm Alaskan Light 3.10pm Fiery Lucy 3.50pm I Am Me 4.25pm Reservardo 4.55pm Arranmore DONCASTER 4pm Kodi Red 4.35pm Calafrio 5.10pm Light The Night Up 5.45pm Castan 6.15pm Pole Star 6.45pm Brave Bob 7.15pm Billyjoh 7.50pm Churchella Advertisement WORCESTER 1.50pm Bruce Gobbler 2.25pm Ile De Jersey 3.05pm Leading Force 3.45pm Son Of Tyran 4.20pm Dynamite Defense 4.50pm Three Figs 5.25pm Sporty Jim 5.55pm Leave Her To Me LINGFIELD 5.30pm Synergism 6.07pm Special Ghaiyyath 6.37pm Salamanca City 7.07pm Momaer 7.40pm Fulford Cross 8.10pm Blue Collar Lad 8.40pm Queen Of Good News CHEPSTOW 5.30pm Moe's Legacy 6pm Sinj 6.30pm Indian Spirit 7pm Redredrobin 7.30pm Alice's Impact 8pm King of The Dance 8.30pm Vape 9pm Red Derek HEXHAM 4.05pm Present Fair 4.40pm Grand Voyage 5.15pm Sean Og 5.50pm Mancero 6.20pm Mack The Man 6.50pm Our Sam SUNDAY'S NAP: Alcazan (Goodwood 5.20pm)
North Wales Chronicle
06-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Tornado Alert has Bin Suroor hopeful he can take Epsom by storm
Lammtarra put Bin Suroor in the spotlight at Epsom in 1995 and with the old mantra of fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby set to be put to the test once again – after Generous so gloriously did in 1991 – the multiple Classic winning-trainer is confident this year's candidate will excel now upped in distance. 'The further he goes, the better he will be. He is a nice and relaxed horse,' said Bin Suroor. 'Oisin Murphy is going to ride him, he has been in a few mornings to ride him and he's been happy with him. I'm looking forward to seeing them together in a race. 'The first three were a little in front of him at Newmarket, but he beat Wimbledon Hawkeye who is a good horse. 'He has done everything right since the Guineas and it is exciting to be going to another Classic with him.' Ralph Beckett is still awaiting his first victory in the premier Classic and holds a strong hand with York hero Pride Of Arras and Stanhope Gardens. The former bids to become the 12th horse to do the Dante/Derby double, with the Kimpton Down handler happy his York scorer ticks plenty of boxes. Beckett said: 'I think he's tightened up for the Dante and he's on good terms with himself. We're going there with our best foot forward, that's for sure. 'He's got more speed than I imagined he would have, having trained his dam and his brothers and sisters, so that is a positive, and his half-sister and half-brother both won at Epsom, which gives us encouragement. 'Soft ground isn't a concern, he has a soft ground pedigree and it's been a bit of a surprise to me he handles quick ground as well as he does.' Stanhope Gardens, meanwhile, was only a neck behind Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes in October and made a foot-perfect return at Salisbury. 'Going into the winter this horse was always the one I thought was most likely to show up here,' added Beckett. 'He had the form with Delacroix and he was still pretty inexperienced that day, just his third run having won at Beverley and finished behind Ruling Court on his debut. 'He's a very well-balanced horse, very light on his feet and it's likely he will be suited by Epsom. 'He's a very straightforward customer, the reason he didn't make a trial is because he galloped away from home in mid-April and pulled a muscle in the back of his ribs which forced him to miss two weeks, so he's done pretty well to get here.' Damysus has come a long way since winning on debut at Southwell in December and after catching the eye of many observers when second to Pride Of Arras in the Dante, he could give John Gosden his third Derby and first in conjunction with son Thady. The Clarehaven team will also saddle the Juddmonte-owned Nightwalker, a staying-on fifth behind his stablemate at York, with Thady Gosden expecting both to thrive at a mile and a half. He said: 'Their pedigrees suggests they will stay and also the way they travel during a race points to that as well. 'The Dante was an interesting race. There were a few little things to take out of it, but these are two horses we think will suit Epsom well. They were both doing their best work late on at York and it was a hot trial, but off that performance they've both shown that they deserve to come here.' As well as Nightwalker, the Juddmonte team will be represented by Henri-François Devin's New Ground, one of two French raiders supplemented for the race alongside Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten Midak, who will fittingly sport the colours of the late Aga Khan in a race named this year in his honour. Nemone Routh, French racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, said: 'Every time we have run him he has improved and he has also improved physically through the year, so we would be hopeful he could run well. 'He's not going there devoid of hope and has done nothing wrong. It's an open race and he goes there with a sporting chance.'
Leader Live
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Tornado Alert has Bin Suroor hopeful he can take Epsom by storm
Lammtarra put Bin Suroor in the spotlight at Epsom in 1995 and with the old mantra of fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby set to be put to the test once again – after Generous so gloriously did in 1991 – the multiple Classic winning-trainer is confident this year's candidate will excel now upped in distance. 'The further he goes, the better he will be. He is a nice and relaxed horse,' said Bin Suroor. 'Oisin Murphy is going to ride him, he has been in a few mornings to ride him and he's been happy with him. I'm looking forward to seeing them together in a race. 'The first three were a little in front of him at Newmarket, but he beat Wimbledon Hawkeye who is a good horse. 'He has done everything right since the Guineas and it is exciting to be going to another Classic with him.' Ralph Beckett is still awaiting his first victory in the premier Classic and holds a strong hand with York hero Pride Of Arras and Stanhope Gardens. The former bids to become the 12th horse to do the Dante/Derby double, with the Kimpton Down handler happy his York scorer ticks plenty of boxes. Beckett said: 'I think he's tightened up for the Dante and he's on good terms with himself. We're going there with our best foot forward, that's for sure. 'He's got more speed than I imagined he would have, having trained his dam and his brothers and sisters, so that is a positive, and his half-sister and half-brother both won at Epsom, which gives us encouragement. 'Soft ground isn't a concern, he has a soft ground pedigree and it's been a bit of a surprise to me he handles quick ground as well as he does.' Stanhope Gardens, meanwhile, was only a neck behind Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes in October and made a foot-perfect return at Salisbury. 'Going into the winter this horse was always the one I thought was most likely to show up here,' added Beckett. 'He had the form with Delacroix and he was still pretty inexperienced that day, just his third run having won at Beverley and finished behind Ruling Court on his debut. 'He's a very well-balanced horse, very light on his feet and it's likely he will be suited by Epsom. 'He's a very straightforward customer, the reason he didn't make a trial is because he galloped away from home in mid-April and pulled a muscle in the back of his ribs which forced him to miss two weeks, so he's done pretty well to get here.' Damysus has come a long way since winning on debut at Southwell in December and after catching the eye of many observers when second to Pride Of Arras in the Dante, he could give John Gosden his third Derby and first in conjunction with son Thady. The Clarehaven team will also saddle the Juddmonte-owned Nightwalker, a staying-on fifth behind his stablemate at York, with Thady Gosden expecting both to thrive at a mile and a half. He said: 'Their pedigrees suggests they will stay and also the way they travel during a race points to that as well. 'The Dante was an interesting race. There were a few little things to take out of it, but these are two horses we think will suit Epsom well. They were both doing their best work late on at York and it was a hot trial, but off that performance they've both shown that they deserve to come here.' As well as Nightwalker, the Juddmonte team will be represented by Henri-François Devin's New Ground, one of two French raiders supplemented for the race alongside Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten Midak, who will fittingly sport the colours of the late Aga Khan in a race named this year in his honour. Nemone Routh, French racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, said: 'Every time we have run him he has improved and he has also improved physically through the year, so we would be hopeful he could run well. 'He's not going there devoid of hope and has done nothing wrong. It's an open race and he goes there with a sporting chance.'
South Wales Guardian
06-06-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Tornado Alert has Bin Suroor hopeful he can take Epsom by storm
Lammtarra put Bin Suroor in the spotlight at Epsom in 1995 and with the old mantra of fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby set to be put to the test once again – after Generous so gloriously did in 1991 – the multiple Classic winning-trainer is confident this year's candidate will excel now upped in distance. 'The further he goes, the better he will be. He is a nice and relaxed horse,' said Bin Suroor. 'Oisin Murphy is going to ride him, he has been in a few mornings to ride him and he's been happy with him. I'm looking forward to seeing them together in a race. 'The first three were a little in front of him at Newmarket, but he beat Wimbledon Hawkeye who is a good horse. 'He has done everything right since the Guineas and it is exciting to be going to another Classic with him.' Ralph Beckett is still awaiting his first victory in the premier Classic and holds a strong hand with York hero Pride Of Arras and Stanhope Gardens. The former bids to become the 12th horse to do the Dante/Derby double, with the Kimpton Down handler happy his York scorer ticks plenty of boxes. Beckett said: 'I think he's tightened up for the Dante and he's on good terms with himself. We're going there with our best foot forward, that's for sure. 'He's got more speed than I imagined he would have, having trained his dam and his brothers and sisters, so that is a positive, and his half-sister and half-brother both won at Epsom, which gives us encouragement. 'Soft ground isn't a concern, he has a soft ground pedigree and it's been a bit of a surprise to me he handles quick ground as well as he does.' Stanhope Gardens, meanwhile, was only a neck behind Aidan O'Brien's Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes in October and made a foot-perfect return at Salisbury. 'Going into the winter this horse was always the one I thought was most likely to show up here,' added Beckett. 'He had the form with Delacroix and he was still pretty inexperienced that day, just his third run having won at Beverley and finished behind Ruling Court on his debut. 'He's a very well-balanced horse, very light on his feet and it's likely he will be suited by Epsom. 'He's a very straightforward customer, the reason he didn't make a trial is because he galloped away from home in mid-April and pulled a muscle in the back of his ribs which forced him to miss two weeks, so he's done pretty well to get here.' Damysus has come a long way since winning on debut at Southwell in December and after catching the eye of many observers when second to Pride Of Arras in the Dante, he could give John Gosden his third Derby and first in conjunction with son Thady. The Clarehaven team will also saddle the Juddmonte-owned Nightwalker, a staying-on fifth behind his stablemate at York, with Thady Gosden expecting both to thrive at a mile and a half. He said: 'Their pedigrees suggests they will stay and also the way they travel during a race points to that as well. 'The Dante was an interesting race. There were a few little things to take out of it, but these are two horses we think will suit Epsom well. They were both doing their best work late on at York and it was a hot trial, but off that performance they've both shown that they deserve to come here.' As well as Nightwalker, the Juddmonte team will be represented by Henri-François Devin's New Ground, one of two French raiders supplemented for the race alongside Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten Midak, who will fittingly sport the colours of the late Aga Khan in a race named this year in his honour. Nemone Routh, French racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, said: 'Every time we have run him he has improved and he has also improved physically through the year, so we would be hopeful he could run well. 'He's not going there devoid of hope and has done nothing wrong. It's an open race and he goes there with a sporting chance.'
