JACOBS’ Crackers
EPSOM DERBY SO what happens when you haven’t got a “sexy” horse on your hands, yet his trial form time and time again keeps being vindicated?
Well, you simply go with plain Kev and support him in the world’s greatest Flat race, the Epsom Derby on Saturday… Cue CRACKSMAN.
Yes he looked green and undoubtedly ill at ease in his warm-up race at the Surrey track in April but ultimately overcame those negatives to record a workmanlike success.
Since then the runner-up Permian has landed the Dante Stakes, the third finished second in the Dee Stakes and the fifth lost his maiden tag.
The son of Frankel has since floated over the hallowed turf in the “Breakfast for the Stars” workout and has improved massively at home.
Add to the equation his trainer John Gosden, rider Frankie Dettori (above) and the fact no stand-out horse has emerged from Aidan O’Brien’s yard and it adds up to Cracksman taking his career tally to three from three.
Cliffs Of Moher is the best colt that Aidan can offer up in resistance to the Gosden winning machine and he is surely much better than his uninspiring success at Chester. Best of the rest could well be Benbatl, a quality colt that has been crying out for a step up in trip.
Rhododendron is a short priced favourite to improve on her 1,000 Guineas second at Newmarket in the Investec Oaks on Friday.
She looks a cast-iron certainty to see out the extra yardage but the value lies with another O’Brien inmate RAIN GODDESS. She ran an outstanding fifth in the French 1,000 Guineas and finally gets a chance to race over the distance she was bred for. Grab the 25-1 each-way and see her push her more illustrious stablemate all the way to the winning line. Jack Hobbs is sure to start favourite for the Coronation Cup at 3.10 on Friday but his profile is inconsistent, so I will oppose him with Jockey Club Stakes winner SEVENTH HEAVEN, a Galileo filly that would benefit from a fast pace.
Today WALKAMI, who got off the mark at the third time of asking over fences, should defy a mark of 108 to land the nap at Uttoxeter 4.45. THE WEEK AHEAD DANDILION returns to the scene of her sole victory at Wolverhampton (6.10) on Tuesday and granted a run through the field in the closing stages with her hold-up style, she looks sure to go close.