Clean up on SWEEPING (2.00) in the opening race of Cazoo Derby day.
He was good enough to finish fourth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and he was always likely to improve when stepped up in distance this season.
The way he made smart prospect Yonafis work when runner-up on his comeback run on Wolverhampton’s all-weather track last month was most promising. He should love the longer 1m2f distance and his trainer Archie Watson has his team in good form. Have 2pts each-way at 12-1, with Sky Bet paying out on five places.
The Cazoo Derby has been dominated by Aidan O’Brien in recent years. No trainer in history can match his eight victories in the Epsom Classic and he holds a strong hand again this year.
Stone Age is the pick of stable jockey Ryan Moore but O’Brien’s last three Derby wins came from horses further down the Ballydoyle pecking order. I liked the way STAR OF INDIA (4.30) landed the Dee Stakes at Chester last month. He was very professional and saw the trip out well suggesting the step up to 1m4f is likely to suit.
The bare form would not be good enough to match some of those horses that are shorter in the betting but I’m sure there’s more to come from this son of super sire Galileo. Have 1pt each-way at 16-1, with most bookies going four places and Sky Bet stretching to six.
It’s such an open race I want to split my Derby stakes with WEST WIND BLOWS (4.30). He did well to win on his debut on Newcastle’s all-weather track over Christmas considering he wasn’t well placed in the early stages. I was really impressed with his first try on turf when he set a strong pace to bring his stamina into play and he scooted clear down the Nottingham straight. The extra distance of the Derby is just what he wants. Have 1pt each-way at 33-1.
Joe Tizzard has made a superb start to his training career having taken over from his dad Colin. He might not have been expecting to have a live chance on the Derby card but that’s what he has in the shape of MASCAT (5.15). His course form and recent Ascot third gives him sound claims. Have 1pt to win at 15-2.
