Dunlop: Cloth of Stars set to shine in Derby
LAMBOURN trainer Harry Dunlop has endorsed the chances of Andre Fabre’s Investec Derby hope Cloth of Stars ahead of Saturday’s Classic.
Dunlop will be hoping for a positive effort at Epsom to boost the form of his Robin of Navan, who runs in the French Derby at Chantilly 24 hours later.
Robin of Navan beat Cloth Of Stars when winning the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud in November before the Fabre horse gained his revenge with a two-and-a-half-length win in last month’s Prix Greffulhe back at the track.
It was a performance good enough to make Cloth of Stars’ Godolphin owners pay £75,000 on Monday to add him to the Derby line-up.
Dunlop said: ‘Last year, Cloth of Stars did not behave very well. He was a bit silly around the stalls and keen in his races. Clearly, Fabre has done a wonderful job getting him to relax.
‘It’s a very open race but I’ve backed him each way. When he won the Greffulhe it was on fast ground. He is sired by Sea The Stars and had been running on soft ground which I don’t think he particularly enjoyed it. He is improving physically and has a very interesting chance.’
Dunlop’s observations make the 20mm of rain which fell at Epsom yesterday a negative for Cloth of Stars, although it has increased the likelihood of David Simcock-trained Goodwood winner Algometer lining up.
Dunlop has resisted the lure of Epsom with Robin of Navan, who he bought for £40,000. Chasing premiums over the Channel which add 64 per cent to the prize money for Frenchbred horses has helped his colt scoop close to €400,000.
The trainer said: ‘ We had some coughing around February and he was slow to come to hand.
‘We had to run in the Prix Greffulhe to get him ready for a Derby. What is pleasing to see is Cloth of Stars being supplemented for Epsom.
‘ We know we have to keep on improving but it is great that he is good enough to even go for the race. We talked about putting him in the English Derby but were disciplined about it and stuck to France.’