GOSDEN: LION’S READY TO ROAR
ROARING LION will seek to make it third time lucky against Derby favourite Saxon Warrior at Epsom on Saturday week.
The John Gosden-trained colt went under by a neck to Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten superstar in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October, and came home fifth to the same rival in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket 18 days ago.
Gosden (right) warned punters that Roaring Lion could bypass Epsom for the French Derby after his romp in York’s Dante Stakes last Thursday – but yesterday committed the Qatar Racing-owned grey to the world’s greatest Flat race. “The owner is very keen that he goes for the Derby and I think that is the right choice,” said the trainer. “He’s in splendid form.” Gosden savoured Derby glory with Benny The Dip in 1997 and Golden Horn in 2015, and added: “They were both labelled non-stayers, but if you have a horse guaranteed to stay a mile and a half, you may have a horse that lacks the gears for Epsom. “Does he stay a mile and a half? I don’t know, but I’ve always longed to run him over middle distances.”
Derby odds (Betfair): 8-11 Saxon Warrior, 6 Roaring Lion, 12 Young Rascal, 14 Masar, 16 bar.