Tom Marquand has been booked to ride outsider Sonny Liston in the Cazoo Derby at Epsom.
Trainer Charlie Hills' first runner in the premier Classic of the Flat season is 50-1 with bookmakers Betfred. Marco Ghiani has been in the saddle for the colt's three starts so far, including his placed effort in the Listed Dee Stakes.
Hills told his William Hill blog: “Marco has done nothing wrong on him in his first three starts, but we just felt we should try to get someone with a little bit more experience. We all know how well Tom is riding at the moment. He’s in great form, is riding with huge confidence, and those are things you can’t beat really. We’re really looking forward to having him in the saddle next Saturday.”
Marquand was in line to partner the William Haggas-trained Lysander, until his schedule was given a reshuffle with Royal Ascot now the aim.
Sonny Liston created quite an impression on his racecourse debut, which he won by five-and-a-half lengths at Sandown.
Hills added: “He’s run pretty well on both starts this season and we just thought we’d give it a crack. That (the odds) might be a bit harsh on his chances because I’d like to think he’s got a strong each-way chance and I certainly don’t see him as being there to make up the numbers.
“He’s a beautiful mover and he would have learnt plenty going around Chester, so we’re really looking forward to it. What a year to be involved with the Platinum Jubilee and it’s an event myself and the whole yard are really excited about.
“While his runs at Newmarket and Chester have been more than respectable, I’d have thought there is a lot more he can give. They went no gallop in the Feilden and so the race turned into a bit of a sprint which didn’t really suit, while at Chester he didn’t really handle the track. Everything came a bit quick for him and so the fact he was still able to finish as close as he did was most encouraging.”
Earlier on Thursday morning, Richard Kingscote gave big race favourite Desert Crown a piece of work in Newmarket.
He finished strongly to stretch clear of companion Solid Stone – and remains the general 2-1 favourite for his assignment on Saturday week.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “Desert Crown’s work this morning has caught the attention of punters and after an impressive display, he has attracted a run of bets this morning. That said, we have left his price unchanged at 2-1, with Stone Age still the worst result in the book.”
