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5 months ago
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Derby day — here we go. Broadcasting from Epsom on this most remarkable afternoon is the closest I get in racing to being at Anfield or Old Trafford, with the sights and noise and the atmosphere that crackles like electricity.
It’s so intense, this is the only show in which I need to wear two earpieces to hear what’s going on back in the control room. When the field in the Betfred Derby sweeps down around Tattenham Corner, a wall of noise hits them that is unique to any other course in the land.
And isn’t that how it should be? Racing has two national treasures: the Randox Grand National brings you 10 minutes of thrills and spills, an epic event that brings the country racing, while the Derby takes you down a helter-skelter, two minutes of intensity when everything is on the line.
I hear it said that this event isn’t what it used to be but the importance of the Derby globally should never, ever be underestimated. On Saturday, we’ve got one of the most fascinating renewals in a long time, with a favourite who has polarised opinion.
What’s your position on City Of Troy? If you listen to Aidan O’Brien, you would be inclined to think the Qipco 2,000 Guineas didn’t happen.
Broadcasting from Epsom on derby day is the closest I get in racing to Anfield or Old Trafford
The atmosphere crackles like electricity ahead of a helter-skelter dash brimming with intensity
I can’t recall him ever being so bullish about a horse’s ability. I was absolutely determined not to buy into the rhetoric but this man knows everything there is to know about training a Derby winner and it’s one of those situations where I am now questioning myself.
We see this happen in jump racing. Willie Mullins will step up a horse dramatically in distance and people in the stands will say there’s no way it will stay the trip. You then see said horse win with its head in its chest (Sharjah at Ayr in April is a prime example) and wonder why you ever doubted him.
Should we doubt O’Brien? Well, to put it another way, I’m now thinking City Of Troy might well win. I thought he’d romp home at Newmarket over a mile but if anyone can turn something deplorable into something devastating, it is O’Brien.
From the moment a two-year-old walks into his yard, O’Brien’s first thought is “Epsom” — and if City Of Troy doesn’t win, Los Angeles — his unheralded stablemate — may well be the one. He looks sure to be in the first three and his profile screams progression.
Los Angeles won his trial at Leopardstown last month — a race O’Brien usually picks for his top Epsom contenders — and he was successful at a time when the stable wasn’t firing on all cylinders. He’s a son of the 2012 Derby winner Camelot and will take a massive leap forward.
But those sentiments apply to all the others. Money has come for Ancient Wisdom, Charlie Appleby’s representative, though I do wonder whether he will be suited by the undulations. He’s got a big stride and hits the ground hard.
Ambiente Friendly has potential but he can be hot and you will know your fate within a couple of furlongs. If Rab Havlin, his jockey, can get him to settle, he’s got the talent to go very close. Macduff, from Ralph Beckett’s yard, shouldn’t be overlooked, either.
From a broadcasting perspective, however, I’d love the winner to have ‘a story’ — such as Dancing Gemini, whose trainer Roger Teal and owner David Fish recently celebrated birthdays and whose young jockey, Dylan Browne McMonagle, will be riding at Epsom for the first time.
If anyone can turn around City of Troy, it is Aiden O'Brien. I can’t recall him ever being so bullish about a horse’s ability
Los Angeles, City of Troy's stablemate and son of 2012 winner Camelot, could come out on top
I'd love the winner to have a 'story' - perhaps Dancing Gemini, left, whose young jockey, Dylan Browne McMonagle, will be riding at Epsom for the first time
ROBIN GOODFELLOW (By Steve Ryder)
The Derby (Epsom, 4.30) remains one of the highlights of the Flat season and ANCIENT WISDOM (NAP) can provide Charlie Appleby and William Buick with another Classic victory this season.
Successful four times last season, he excelled on a softer surface winning both the Autumn Stakes and Group One Futurity Trophy meaning that his reappearance second behind Economics in the Dante Stakes on good ground can be upgraded. Shaping like this step up in trip to 1m4f would suit, he can provide sire Dubawi with a first Derby winner.
In the ‘Dash’ Handicap (3.45), SILKY WILKIE (NB) can go one better than last year in first-time cheekpieces. A head second on his penultimate start on heavy ground, the gelding is 19lb better off in the weights compared to Clarendon House from the race last term and is well drawn to attack from stall 15.
THE WIZARD OF ODDS (BY Chris Baker)
Epsom 3.10
GRANDLAD (nap) will relish the sharp, downhill nature of Epsom’s five-furlong course, having shown plenty of speed when winning his last two starts at Wolverhampton and Goodwood.
Epsom 3.45
SILKY WILKIE, who was beaten by just a short head in this race last year off an 8lb higher mark, can provide in-form trainer Karl Burke with another winner.
Epsom 4.30
AMBIENTE FRIENDLY showed promise last season and then improved significantly from his first start of the year to run out a very impressive winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial three weeks ago. He can become the 10th horse to win at Lingfield and then follow up in the Derby itself.
There is also Julie Wood, the owner of Voyage, who has always wanted to have a Derby runner and she’s got the proverbial dark horse here. He had a spin around Epsom 12 days ago and, by all accounts, he looked a picture at the end.
All the ingredients, then, are there for something special. The Flat season has been a bit flat so far, with shock winners, injuries and disappointments but things can change at Epsom. The Derby has a habit of delivering.
Bet of the Day
MacDuff is the one for me in the Derby (Epsom 4.30). Ralph Beckett’s charge will be a nice each-way price and has the profile of Westover, who finished third in this race for the stable two years ago.
Ed Chamberlin is a Sky Bet UK Ambassador
English (US)