'As the build-up intensifies, you realise what an incredible story it is'

Pyledriver's co-owner Roger Devlin will be at Epsom to witness the next chapter of a "fairytale" in the Investec Derby – but co-owners Guy and Huw Leach will have to settle for their sofas in Cardiff to watch their Royal Ascot winner.

Owners are permitted to be on the course for Derby day after successful trial events this week, but a potentially difficult predicament – a maximum of two owners are allowed per horse – has been settled by the stricter lockdown regulations in Wales, preventing the Cardiff-based Leach brothers from attending and opening the door for Devlin and his wife Louise to watch their Classic contender live at Epsom.

Guy Leach said: "It’s been a different week, that’s for certain. We’re all very tense, nervous and excited. Personally I'm like a a six-year-old really, counting down the days until Christmas. We’re all looking forward to it enormously.

"It's difficult to put it into words, I’m still pinching myself. As the build-up intensifies and the media hype grows, you start to realise what an incredible story it is and what a fantastic horse he is and has been.

Guy Leach at home in Cardiff watching Pyledriver's win in the King Edward VII Stakes on ITV RacingCredit: ITV Racing

"It’s been described as a fairytale, it really is. We’re on a magic carpet and long may it continue."

Pyledriver has been proving the doubters wrong his entire career, with his three wins coming at 50-1, 14-1 and most recently at 18-1 when a convincing two-length winner of the King Edward VII Stakes, with fellow Derby contenders Mohican Heights (third) and Mogul (fourth) in behind.

Leach believes winning the Derby might be a tough ask for Pyledriver, but he hopes he can "certainly be in the mix" and is pleased at least part of the ownership team will be present for the race.

He added: "He’s always been underestimated and I think he’s a bit of value and would be a shorter price if he had different connections.

A Derby winner in action? Pyledriver at full stretch in the King Edward VII StakesCredit: Pool

"Roger and Louise Devlin, co-owners, will be at the track. My brother Huw and I will be stuck in Cardiff because we’re not allowed to travel more than five miles. In some ways it made a difficult decision easy because it was obvious Roger should go – he only lives 15 minutes from Epsom.

"I’ll be watching it at home with my wife Julie and our two daughters joining us so it’ll be a small family occasion but it won’t be so quiet, I can assure you of that. There will be lots of shouting going on."

William Muir trains the general 16-1 shot and has been delighted with him in the build-up to the Derby.

Lambourn-based Muir said: "If he hadn’t put his weight back on or got himself right back to where he was before the entry stage then I wouldn’t be doing it, but he’s perfect. He’s bouncing, he’s got all his weight back and he’s in really good shape.

"The form is there for everybody to read. It doesn’t matter if he goes under the radar. I do think the Guineas form is impressive and English King was a very impressive winner of the Derby trial, but we couldn’t do any more than we’ve done."

It will also be Muir's first runner in the Derby, and he added: "This is what we look forward to. We go to all the mundane meetings 90 per cent of the time and we’re still looking for them to win, but when you get a chance like this and Royal Ascot, you have to enjoy it because for our type of yard – we’re only a small yard – they don’t come along every day of the week."

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