Epsom Derby – Page 2 – Pattern Racing.Com

A fitting tribute that this Derby will be run in memory of the great Lester Piggott, winner of the race on nine occasions.

Who would he like to ride?

Sir Micheal Stoute’s Desert Crown comes into the race as favourite on the back of an impressive Dante win where he beat Royal Patronage. The difficulty he’ll have to overcome is the lack of experience having only had the one run before the Dante, a maiden win at Nottingham at the back end of last season. Richard Kingscote will continue his association.

Compared to the experience of Aidan O’Brien’s Stone Age, the second favourite, who has had seven runs. Five last year where he never managed to win, two this year, where he’s won both, the last in very impressive style in the Leopardstown Derby Trial where one of the outsiders of the field Glory Daze chased him home. He is the choice of Ryan Moore.

*Stone Age and Ryan Moore last year at Leopardstown*

Third in the betting is the Charlie Appleby trained Nations Pride, supplemented into the race at the final declaration stage he won a Listed level contest at Newmarket in April having previously won at Meyden and on the all-weather at Chelmsford and Lingfield. William Buick will be in the plate. Walk Of Stars who’ll be ridden by James Doyle and Nahnni who will be partnered by last year’s winning rider Adam Kirby also run for Godolphin. The latter beat Grand Alliance in the Blue Riband Trial here in May. The former ran second in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

Ballydoyle also have Changingoftheguard who took the Chester Vase easily. He didn’t win in three runs last year but broke the duck in Dundalk prior to the Chester run. Wayne Lordan gets the nod in the plate.

*Star Of India after winning at Leopardstwon last October*

Star Of India took the Dee Stakes also at Chester. He’d won on debut at Leopardstown last year and found the trip too short in the Craven behind Native Trail in April. He’ll be ridden by Seamie Heffernan.

*Changingoftheguard at Leopardstown last August*

Also travelling from Ireland is Piz Badile representing Donnacha O’Brien. A winner of a Killarney maiden last year, he then ran second in the Eyrefield Stakes. Brought back for the Ballysax Stakes in April he won in a battle. Purposely put away he’s been laid out since. Frankie Dettori will ride.

*Piz Badile after winning at Leopardstown* *in April*

West Wind Blows goes for Simon and Ed Chrisford. Unbeaten in two runs he was a 5L winner over 1m2f at Nottingham in April.

Westover represents Juddmonte and Ralph Beckett, winner of the Sandown Classic Trial. he was a winner at the same venue of debut and in two other runs last year he filled the runner up spot. Rob Hornby has his first Derby ride.

It’s an unusual Derby. No horse has won a Group 1 coming into it. Who would Lester ride? He’d probably like to renew his association with Ballydoyle who provided him with three of his winners, Sir Ivor, Nijinsky and The Minstrel. A chance is then taken on Star Of India to progress.