AUGUSTE RODIN can live up to his juvenile promise and can grab victory in the Betfred Derby (British Champions Series) (No Geldings) (1.30pm) at Epsom on Saturday afternoon.
Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old, under Ryan Moore, can bounce back from his disappointing effort in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month to land the Colt’s Classic at Epsom. The son of Deep Impact had been looked upon as a potential Triple Crown contender following his impressive victory as a two-year-old in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last October. He had been the winter Derby favourite and was similarly short for his seasonal return in last month’s mile Classic at Headquarters. Nothing though went right and having been bumped by stable-mate Little Big Bear and then having a troubled passage any hopes of landing the Triple Crown was gone. He eventually came home a massively disappointing 14th of 14 behind Chaldean and he clearly has lots of questions to answer ahead of his second Classic bid on the unique ups and downs of the Epsom challenge. But the Coolmore-owned colt is bred to be a top middle-distance performer and the Derby was likely to be his main chance of landing another Group One success, once he graduated away from mile contests – the distance he got well as a juvenile at Doncaster.
His trainer O’Brien – who has already won the Derby a record eight times – still has great faith in Auguste Rodin and that should provide punters with similar hope that he can indeed get back on track and land the world’s greatest Flat race. If there are any lasting issues with Auguste Rodin, it may be the Charlie Appleby-trained Military Order – from Coolmore’s great rivals Godolphin – who could take advantage. He looks very solid based on his victory in the Linfield Derby Trial, which his full brother Adayar was second in before landing the Derby two years ago – although that was on Turf with Military Order triumphing on the all-weather track.
Others who may have a chance of at least making the frame are the Charlie Johnston-trained Dubai Mile – who won the Group One Grand Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile and ran a fine trial for the Derby when fifth in the 2,000 Guineas; and Dante Stakes hero The Foxes.
It could be a good start to the afternoon for jockey Ryan Moore with REGAL REALITY having a good chance of victory in the Group Three Betfred Diomed Stakes (12.50pm). The Sir Michael Stoute-trained eight-year-old has gone well in these type of extended mile contests and won a similar contest at Salisbury back in 2020. He has been campaigned over longer distances, winning a 1m2f Group Three contest at Windsor last summer and running well in fourth in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot. He has run reasonably in two starts at Newmarket over similar distances so far this season and looks ready to return to winning ways dropped back slightly. Appleby’s Highland Avenue, the likely favourite, appears the biggest danger to the selection.
Jockey Moore and trainer Stoute may team up again for victory with POTAPOVA in the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Fillies & Mares) (2.10pm). The five-year-old mare probably hasn't won as much as her ability would suggest she should but on her day she is pretty good and she was second in this contest last season before winning a similar Group Three event at Sandown in August. She was pulled up on her seasonal return at Goodwood in very testing conditions which she clearly didn’t enjoy. If there are no long-term issues from that return, she can go close again to victory.
David O’Meara’s ALLIGATOR ALLEY may just come out on top of the always-competitive Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (3.20pm). Alice Haynes’ Live In The Moment; the 2021 winner Mokaatil, from the Ian Williams’ stable; the Michael Appleby-trained Sampers Seven; and Robert Cowell’s Clarendon House are all on a pretty long list of potential winners of the fastest five-furlong contest around. But a chance is taken on Alligator Alley, who has threatened to take a top sprinting prize for some time. He usually has to come off the pace and could encounter traffic problems. It looks like his season has been geared around this race, having ran well enough to be sixth and eighth in two five-furlong handicaps at York after being on the go on the all-weather throughout the winter and early spring. If he gets the breaks he should come home late and fast and can at least make the frame and maybe grab his biggest career success.
Andrew Balding’s ESTATE can follow up his recent first career victory at Salisbury with another in the Aston Martin 3yo “Dash” Handicap (2.45pm). The three-year-old gelded son of Showcasing had run some decent races in defeat before finally securing a first win at the eighth attempt at Salisbury last Saturday. The speedy type may go in again under Oisin Murphy.
The Johnston-trained PERFECT PLAY can win the Betfred Lester Piggott Handicap (3.55pm) under Scouser Franny Norton. The three-year-old landed a second career success at Chester last week, having also been second at Beverley on his seasonal return two weeks earlier. The Siyouni gelding made all on the Roodee and can do something similar at Epsom under Liverpool FC fan Norton.
Jockey Moore could easily grab a four-timer on board the David Menisier-trained CAIUS CHORISTER – who can build on his second over course and distance on his return in April – to win the Rio Ferdinand Foundation Northern Dancer Handicap (4.30pm). While Richard Fahey’s STRIKE RED can take the finale, the Jra Tokyo Trophy Handicap (5.05pm).
Away from Epsom Johnny Murtagh’s once-raced Gowran Park winner LADY ONYX can triumph in the Listed Edinburgh Queen Of Scots Fillies’ Stakes (3.05pm). While the Ann Duffield-trained BILLYB can take the Edinburgh Gin Classic Handicap (1.50pm); and Jack Channon’s MILTEYE may score in the Edinburgh Cup Handicap (3.40pm).
Wright Ones
EPSOM
12.50pm Regal Reality
1.30pm 1 AUGUSTE RODIN (NAP) 2 Military Order 3 Dubai Mile
2.10pm Potapova
2.45pm Estate
3.20pm Alligator Alley
3.55pm Perfect Play
4.30pm Caius Chorister
5.05pm Strike Red
DONCASTER
2.15pm Daniel Deronda
2.50pm Raknah
3.25pm Resolute Man
4pm Struth
4.35pm Shimmering Sands
5.10pm Aclaimed Art
5.40pm Key Look
6.12pm Abiyah Athbah (A)
MUSSELBURGH
1.15pm Monaadhil
1.50pm Billyb
2.30pm Sankari
3.05pm Lady Onyx
3.40pm Milteye
4.15pm End Zone
4.50pm Canaria Prince
HEXHAM
1.05pm Jimmy Rabbitte
1.45pm Bodhisattva
2.20pm Miss Lamb
2.55pm City Of Ruins
3.30pm Lights Are Green
4.05pm Our Marty
4.40pm Blame Rose
LINGFIELD
5.35pm Glenister
6.10pm Crimson King
6.40pm Thanksbutnothanks
7.10pm Gone
7.40pm Desert Falcon
8.10pm Olivia Mary
8.45pm Michaels Choice
SUNDAY’S NAP: Eponina (3.15pm Nottingham)
