Heavily-backed Saxon Warrior leads charge for Derby honours
Saxon Warrior is the star name among 14 confirmations for the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.
The son of Deep Impact is odds-on across the board for the premier Classic after extending his unbeaten record to four in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month.
Trainer Aidan O’brien has seven remaining entries in all as he chases a joint-record seventh Derby success. The other Ballydoyle hopefuls are Delano Roosevelt, Kew Gardens, The Pentagon, Nelson, Rostropovich and Zabriskie.
Dermot Weld’s Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Hazapour is the only other Irishtrained contender.
The home team is headed by John Gosden’s runaway Dante winner Roaring Lion, who finished fifth behind Saxon Warrior in the 2,000 Guineas.
Masar, who was third in the 2,000 Guineas, will bid to become a first Derby winner in the Godolphin colours for Charlie Appleby.
Chester Vase hero Young Rascal is a leading fancy for William Haggas and is set to renew rivalries with the Mark Johnston-trained Dee Ex Bee, who was runner-up on the Roodee.
Harry Dunlop’s Lingfield Derby Trial winner Knight To Behold and Gosden’s second runner Sevenna Star complete the potential field.
Meanwhile, at Redcar today, Worth Waiting can make it third-time lucky before possibly going on to bigger and better things.
While her early-closing entry in the Darley Irish Oaks may well be flying too high, she already shown when finishing second in two starts to date that she is capable of winning races.
After racing over seven furlongs and then an extended mile, David Lanigan’s charge could show improvement when stepped up to a mile and a quarter.
She looks a most likely type in the Racing UK HD On Sky 426 Median Auction Maiden Stakes
Fanaar shaped well on his debut in what looked a good maiden at Newmarket won by Konchek.
Konchek then did the form no harm when a close third in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown on Thursday.
The William Haggas-trained youngster stayed on well in the final half a furlong to suggest that he should be suited by the step up to six furlongs the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Leicester.