The Derby 2014

4.00 Epsom
Investec Derby (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO only) 
Winner £782,598 - 16 run 
Advice: 1 pt each/way Geoffrey Chaucer (11/1 general), Orchestra (16/1 general)



Arod: Highly rated ahead of 2yo debut at Kempton where he shaped with promise despite failing to justify favouritism on only juvenile start; Much better upped to 10 furlongs on reappearance at Windsor, going from the front early and winning as he liked, and then improved on that even when second in the Dante (ahead of True Story), form that has been underlined by The Grey Gatsby’s French Derby win; Should stay 1m4f and be better at the distance and lot more to come after just three starts, so interesting here.

Australia: Immensely hyped after promising juvenile season where he looked a horse with a future, albeit having not beaten much in final Group 3 start; However, proved himself able to compete with those out of the top drawer when a close third in what is already looking a very strong 2,000 Guineas (2^nd and 4^th first and second in the Irish equivalent, while The Grey Gatsby since won Dante and French Derby); This 4 furlongs further but bred to relish every yard being out of 2001 winner Galileo and out of 2004 Oaks winner Oujia Board; The one to beat in no uncertain terms.

Ebanoran: Too much to do and never able to take a hand in Guineas trial but quickened up well and just lasted home in the Derrinstown Stud Derby trial when getting better of Fascinating Rock and Geoffrey Chaucer; No doubting his talent but got slip of the field under very smart ride and other two were closing at the finish, which doesn’t bode too well for today’s trip; Form may also flatter him.

Fascinating Rock: Fifth on only 2yo start but that never going to be the best of him and made into a very smart horse very quickly, winning maiden on return and then Ballysax at Navan in fine style; Had to be given the Derrinstown latest but may have gotten there with extra distance; Rain in morning a positive, but 3lbs worse off with Geoffrey Chaucer; Pedigree does raise stamina doubt for some as well.

Geoffrey Chaucer: Looked a horse of great potential when winning two starts cosily last year, including the Beresford Stakes in fine style; Looked to be coming with challenge on return but snatched up twice in the run; Possibly not suited by slowly run race that day either and now weighted to turn around form with front pair, although improvement expected at this trip with first run under his belt and can play a part here.

Impulsive Moment: Won well on second start as 2yo when beating four runners at Lingfield in novice event and then left that form well behind when second to Western Hymn in Sandown trial; More needed on that bare form here with winner not at his best that day and preferred of the two again.

Kingfisher: Well behind Australia and Fascinating Rock in previous trials and then landed the Dee Stakes when looking as if 1m4f would suit him, but huge amount more needed.

Kingston Hill: Looked a prime contender for the Derby when landing Autumn Stakes and Racing Post Trophy in fine style; Only eighth in the Guineas but a mile in that company never going to suit him and today, much better expected; Draw a major negative for his chances however and rain not arrived in time for him.

Orchestra: Well beaten behind Free Eagle on debut but a smart winner next time out and shaped like a horse going places when landing the Chester Vase; Looked set to beat Romasdal by much more than a nose at the top of the straight but ran green and then began to tie up late; That form is tightly matched but could well improve for his reappearance (like many from the yard) and of interested here.

Our Channel: Improved with racing as a 2yo, ending up with a wide margin maiden win at Beverley; Won the trial here but that form let down by runners up since and magnificent Ryan Moore ride eanred him victory in the C&D trial here; But that 

Pinzolo: Went off just 4/1 for the Racing Post Trophy after impressing greatly in two juvenile starts but could never land a blow there and disappointing on return at Newmarket; Bred to love this trip and back on track at Newmarket, so bold showing not a surprise for all that he has a huge amount of improving to do.

Red Gaileo: Just a head behind Pinzolo as 2yo but getting significant amount of weight and well behind Western Hymn on return at Sandown and then behind that one’s victim Snow Sky at Lingfield.

Romsdal: Big strides in three starts this spring, winning well at Kempton before chasing down Orchestra, just failing to get up having looked well beaten; No reason that he can’t go well today and that form tightly matched; Supplemented earlier in the week.

Sudden Wonder: By New Approach out of Italian Group 1 10 furlong winner so bred to be at best over this distance and something about the way that he was staying on from rear to claim third in Lingfield Derby Trial suggests that 1m4f is likely to be where we see the best of him; More needed to take a hand against the best but might not be so far away.

True Story: Looked a serious prospect when trashing opposition in Fielden Stakes on return at Newmarket, seven lengths clear but still going away at the finish; Defeat in Dante understandable, with slower ground than today blamed in the main although he looked beaten on merit behind Arod there; Can do much better today but will have to improve and more needed; Draw also not helpful.

Western Hymn: Looked a very useful horse in making successful debut on Kempton AW at the end of last year and then showed a very sharp turn of foot when landing conditions event on return, the form of which received a great boost when runner up was a convincing winner of Lingfield trial that had Sudden Wonder third; That a better guide to his talent that workmanlike win at Sandown latest when he hit the front too soon and showed many quirks; Realistic contender.

VERDICT: A competitive Derby with a huge amount of unexposed, lightly raced horses bidding for the famous prize. So much attention has been upon Australia, who is bred for this race like no other being a son of 2004 Oaks winner Oujia Board and also by 2001 Derby winner Gaileo, and with the surface wholly sound, if he stays and relishes the trip as he should, it will take a mighty performance to beat him today. However, he has always been a short price for such an event and it may be that Ballydoyle themselves have two contenders capable of giving him a serious race. GEOFRREY CHAUCER never got a chance to get past Fascinating Rock and Ebanoran in the Derrinstown Stud trial, but the slowly run nature of that race on his seasonal debut wouldn’t have suited and 3lbs better off at this trip, he can improve greatly on that effort for Ryan Moore. The stable’s Chester Vase winner, ORCHESTRA, looked set to beat Romsdal by more than just a nose at the May meeting, but having been sent early, he did well to hold on and if improving, can find yet more here and take a hand for a yard aiming for a third Derby success in a row. Of the British contenders, True Story is still expected to take a high rank, but he hasn’t been given a great draw today and Arod looked to have beaten him fair and square at York – form boosted by The Grey Gatsby since – although Western Hymn may turn out to be best of the home challenge today. Godolphin’s Sudden Wonder may be best for those looking for a huge price horse.