Favourite Desert Crown puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom.
The event, part of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, will see the colt bid to give trainer Sir Michael Stoute a sixth success in the flagship contest.
The son of Nathaniel powered clear of what had looked on paper a decent Dante Stakes field at York, on just his second start. There is surely stacks more to come from the Saeed Suhail-owned colt after so few career starts, which proved his ability on both soft and good ground.
Stoute's charge appears to hold all the aces going into the Epsom Classic, so let's analyse the pros and cons of his prospects for Derby glory on Saturday.
Form
Desert Crown has only seen a racecourse twice but he's been super impressive on both occasions. He won his Nottingham debut in November by a commanding five and a half lengths despite signs of inexperience and although only one winner has come out of that race, he was clearly in a different league.
Sir Michael Stoute isn't exactly renowned for pitching his young horses in at the deep end so early in his career. It says plenty about the regard in which he holds this colt that the Group 2 Dante Stakes was his next destination.
Desert Crown didn't disappoint, running out the most impressive scorer since Golden Horn in 2015 and providing his trainer with a record-equalling seventh win in Derby's most prestigious trial. The form can be rated around runner-up Royal Patronage who ran right up to his best. Desert Crown got to the front going best under Richard Kingscote and although he needed some organising once given the office, he finished his race off strongly, suggesting the Derby trip would bring about even more improvement.
Track and distance
Desert Crown saw his race out at York strongly and he should prove even better at a mile and a half. If he's going to be beaten at Epsom, it's highly unlikely to be by the trip. His sire, Nathaniel, is a strong influence for stamina.
However, when it comes to the track, there is a good deal more guesswork involved. Not having previously run at Epsom has been no barrier to success for British-trained horses in the Derby this century but even so, there is no guarantee that he will handle the camber if he gets caught wide.
He heads to the big race as one of the most inexperienced horses in the field and much will depend on what sort of trip he gets.
Rating
Desert Crown has been awarded an official rating of 117, the highest of any 2022 Cazoo Derby contender. That puts him 2lb ahead of nearest-rated rivals Stone Age and Changingoftheguard.
Tread carefully, though. Ratings can't take into consideration what a horse is capable of in the future and there are many horses in here with the potential to rate much higher yet.
Trainer view
Sir Michael Stoute told the assembled racing media after Desert Crown's Dante win: "I was cautious because Desert Crown had the hold up and he's only just up for a race now. I was very pleased. He was impressive in his maiden and we got behind schedule.
"We had to do what we did and he didn't let me down, he surprised me actually. That was very encouraging.
"Others in the race will improve too but you would expect some improvement from him because it's only his second start.
"It was a very pleasing performance because this was only race two for him and we just got him ready."
Summary
Not many horses can win a Derby on just their third start but Ruler Of The World did it in 2013 so it's by no means impossible and it is clear that Sir Michael Stoute thinks he's got a good one.
He might be inexperienced, but the flip side of the coin is that Desert Crown is open to more improvement than many of his rivals, especially over this longer trip. It's impossible to know how this horse might cope if he gets caught out on the camber in the straight, but providing he gets a good run round, he could win the 2022 by daylight.
Verdict - BACK Desert Crown
Cazoo Derby runners and best odds
7-4 Desert Crown, 7-2 Stone Age, 7-1 Nations Pride, 8-1 Changingoftheguard, 10-1 Piz Badile, 16-1 Star Of India, Walk Of Stars, 20-1 Westover, 25-1 Nahanni, 33-1 Royal Patronage, West Wind Blows, 40-1 Sonny Liston, 66-1 Masekela, 100-1 Glory Daze, Grand Alliance, 200-1 Hoo Ya Mal, 250-1 El Habeeb
Get £60 in FREE BETS and BONUSES from Betfred when you wager £10 on the 2022 Cazoo Derby
18+, new UK customers only, T&Cs apply
