Rossa Ryan sweet on the chances of Derby contender Pride Of Arras who 'has all the attributes' for Epsom Classic

Rossa Ryan believes Pride Of Arras has "all the attributes" to shine in next month's Betfred Derby and provide Ralph Beckett with a first victory in the Classic after downing longtime favourite The Lion In Winter in the Dante Stakes this week. 

The jockey said on Friday that the next three weeks “can’t pass quickly enough” before he gets to ride Pride Of Arras in the Derby, for which the colt is a best-priced 5-1 after his reappearance win at York on Thursday.

The Dante represented a rare setback for Aidan O’Brien after the Ballydoyle trainer had landed a string of Classic trials at Chester, Lingfield and Leopardstown, although the trainer had warned The Lion In Winter would improve significantly for the run at York.

The Lion In Winter was pushed out to 6-1 for the Derby with Delacroix cut to 5-2 favourite, and Ryan said: “I’d say Delacroix will be the one that’s most obvious of Aidan's to send [to Epsom]. He’s a very good horse and it’s going to be a very good Derby especially with Godolphin's Guineas winner Ruling Court turning up too. I’ve only had one ride in the race and Pride Of Arras has a much better profile going in.”

Ryan, who was aboard Macduff in last year’s Derby, is confident Pride Of Arras will have no problem getting the trip over the Epsom switchback. 

“The good ones can take the step up that he did from novice to stakes level, and I thought he was very impressive off a slow tempo,” he said. “He didn’t do a lot in front but he has all the attributes for the Derby. 

Pride Of Arras: impressed when winning the Dante at YorkCredit: Grossick Racing

“He hit the line well and was very fresh coming back, which is what I took out of it, and he’s bred to get the trip. He handled himself tremendously in the prelims and I’d be hoping for a lot of improvement as well.”

Ryan, who rode Bluestocking to win last year's Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Beckett, added: “Winning the Derby would be bang up there; it's the most famous race.

“It’s exciting and something to get up for. The next three weeks will be long – they can’t pass quickly enough – but the dream is alive. If I could win the Derby and the jockeys’ championship I’d happily retire the next day!”

Read these next:

Dante Stakes: Pride Of Arras goes from 50-1 to 5-1 for Derby to leave Ralph Beckett dreaming

'If you fancy Delacroix you must like this 50-1 shot' - where does the Derby value lie after the Dante? 

Another Dante triumph for Yorkshire as Pride Of Arras follows in Economics' footsteps 

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