Young Rascal is expected to come of age in Investec Derby
Epsom - Young Rascal can scupper the Triple Crown hopes of Saxon Warrior by lifting the Investec Derby at Epsom today.
Aidan O'Brien's runner has been a hot favourite to land a second Classic since winning the 2000 Guineas, but the handler's worries over the ground combined with a tricky draw in stall one could open the door for his rivals. Young Rascal, owned by Investec managing director Bernard Kantor, can duly grasp that opportunity and make the quantum leap from Newbury maiden winner in April to Derby winner on the first Saturday in June.
The son of Intello was soundly beaten by stablemate My Lord And Master on his only juvenile outing but he was light years away from that performance when cantering home by five lengths in Berkshire.
Trainer William Haggas was suitably encouraged to step him up in class for the Group 3 Chester Vase, and Young Rascal handled the assignment with aplomb, fending off the challenge of the reopposing Dee Ex Bee by 0.50 lengths with a little something in hand. He has since enjoyed a spin around Epsom at the Breakfast with the Stars event in late May, with previous experience of the idiosyncrasies of the Epsom track a definite positive.
Easy ground holds no fears for him and he can emulate Haggas' previous Derby winner Shaamit, who triumphed from stall nine back in 1996.
Wilamina ran a cracker on her return at Newmarket and should be in the mix again in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes. Martyn Meade's runner found only Wuheida too good in the Dahlia Stakes at the Guineas meeting, finishing a creditable four-length second to a vastly superior rival.
There does not appear to be a filly of Wuheida's class amongst the eight runners here and while Wilamina will have to improve a bit, she certainly seems on an upward curve. The presence of Frankie Dettori in the plate is another factor in her favour.
True Valour can go well at a decent price in the Investec Diomed Stakes. He posted a decent run on his return when third in a Leopardstown Group 3 and although Epsom Downs (UK) Saturday Race 1: 15:00 the winner, Zihba, could not make an impact in the Irish 2000 Guineas, it still appears a reasonable piece of form.
True Valour already has experience of the track having finished third in the Surrey Stakes at this meeting last year and Johnny Murtagh would not be making the trip unless he felt his charge was a viable contender.
True Valour runs in the colours of Qatar Racing and one of their charges, Blue De Vega, could be the solution to the conundrum that is the Investec Corporate Banking "Dash" Handicap. Third in the Irish 2000 Guineas a couple of years ago, Blue De Vega was subsequently tried over 2000m to no avail before dropping right back in trip.
Switched to the care of Robert Cowell, a change of scenery and a drop in trip appears to have reignited his fire. Beaten a neck over 1000m at Thirsk in his last run, he is 1kg well in here and can finally triumph at Epsom. – Press Association