Just Fine can deliver Derby day delight for Her Majesty
The Queen will have a horse running on Derby day at Epsom on Saturday, although not in the showpiece race itself, which will take place in memory of Lester Piggott following his death on Sunday.
There is nothing the Queen would like more than a winner as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations and Just Fine will carry her hopes in the World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap. Whether the Queen makes it to Epsom is in doubt, but 40 jockeys who have ridden for her will line the course in her honour and Just Fine is almost certain to be sent off favourite by the weight of money, not only from well-wishers but the experts too.
The gelding ran a promising third on his first start of the season at York and is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who also trains Desert Crown, a short-priced favourite to give him a sixth Derby success. The Nathaniel colt, who won the Dante Stakes at York, is one of 18 horses in contention for the 243rd running of the Classic after yesterday’s five-day confirmation stage.
Aidan O’brien’s three-strong team is headed by easy Leopardstown winner Stone Age and also comprises Chester trial scorers Changingoftheguard and Star Of India.
Charlie Appleby, who won the Derby last year with Adayar, also has three in the race after supplementing Newmarket winner Nations Pride to join Walk Of Stars and
Nahanni. William Buick has nailed his colours to Nations Pride’s mast.
Stan Moore, the Lambourn trainer, also paid £75,000 on behalf of owner-breeder Mohamed Khalid Abdulrahim to supplement El Habeeb, a once-raced colt who beat one home in a Listed race at Newmarket this month. He is currently a 200-1 shot but that does not look generous given his lack of experience, form and, as yet, ability.
Apart from naming the race in memory of nine-time winner Piggott – it is the first time the Derby has been named in honour of an individual – jockeys will also wear black armbands. A wreath in Nijinsky’s
colours will be placed at the foot of the life-sized bronze statue of Piggott on the grandstand lawn and there will also be a minute’s silence at the start of racing on Friday and again ahead of the Derby.
Meanwhile, for the fourth time in a week, a racecourse had to cancel races because of unsafe ground yesterday.
Unlike Beverley, Haydock and Chester, Lingfield abandoned only two races – due to be run on the round course – after William Buick’s mount Cu Chulainn lost his footing on the bend in the opening 1¼m handicap. Lingfield has offered to compensate owners and racegoers.