Does three-time Epsom winner Johnny Murtagh have a Derby contender in Earlswood?

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to next month's Epsom Classics, the and .

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues, our new series running every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of Sunday's action and how it's impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note today.

Racing round-up: Earlswood's too good

The Gallinule Stakes is not much of a Derby trial, but the most recent winner, Earlswood, has some Epsom influence in his backstory, which began with John Oxx, who twice won the world's best Classic with Sinndar and the marvellous Sea The Stars.

Since Oxx's retirement, the three-year-old has switched to the care of Johnny Murtagh, a former top-class rider who rode Sinndar and also won the Derby on High Chaparral and Motivator during a glittering career.

Earlswood is by Pivotal, breeding that does not scream Derby, but he is out of a Galileo mare and the Coolmore colossus is arguably the most important thoroughbred in the great race's history.

Earlswood advertises Classic credentials with Gallinule win for Murtagh and Coen

Market movers

Earlswood 33-1 (from 66) Betfair, Paddy Power

What they said

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Earlswood
He's entered at Epsom, but there is free entry into the Irish Derby after winning this race so that's another option. I'll talk with the owner [Glyn Davies] and we'll decide what to do.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Joan Of Arc
We were going to step Joan Of Arc up to ten furlongs after today and she might go for the French Oaks.

Today's racing

The best action on Monday centres on Longchamp's card and in particular the Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (2.50), a Group 1 in its own right and also a pointer to France's version of the Oaks, the Prix de Diane Longines.

Harajuku and Stephane Pasquier after winning the Group 3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint-CloudCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

One of three in the field for Andre Fabre, Harajuku is a best-priced 12-1 for Chantilly and is likely to dispute favouritism in an open-looking race.

Very soft ground is a question mark against the daughter of Deep Impact but main market rivals Sibila Spain – supplemented by trainer Christopher Head – and Rumi are both by Frankel and should not be inconvenienced by conditions.

None of the 11 are engaged at Epsom or the Curragh, though Rumi is a 25-1 chance for the Coronation Stakes at Ascot back at a mile, while she also joins Incarville, Vrigny and Cirona among those with an Arc entry.

If you want more on the 2021 Flat season:

Mac Swiney edges out Poetic Flare to give Jim Bolger Classic one-two

'This was a serious performance and Mac Swiney is bred for the Derby test'

Derby under consideration after Lone Eagle swoops to impressive victory

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