Epsom next: John Leeper to be first Classic runner in five years for Ed Dunlop

Ed Dunlop is looking forward to having his first Classic runner in five years in next month's Cazoo Derby with John Leeper reported to have come out of his Newmarket trial victory "as if he hadn't had a race".

The son of Dunlop's 2010 Epsom Oaks and multiple Group 1 winner Snow Fairy registered his first win on turf in Saturday's Listed Fairway Stakes, one of the last recognised Derby trials.

The length-and-three-quarters triumph over Tasman Bay, following which John Leeper was cut to 7-1 (from 16) for Epsom glory, was witnessed by just a handful of owners, trainers and press but one attendee missed out.

John Leeper (right): son of Frankel and Snow Fairy holds Derby credentials for Ed Dunlop after his Newmarket Listed successCredit: Hugh Routledge

The Newmarket trainer explained: "My wife Becky had her eyes shut during the last two furlongs of the race as she couldn't bear to watch when the other horse started to come back at John Leeper. She had to watch a rerun on the big screen a bit later."

Reflecting on John Leeper's victory, which was a completely different test to his previous win on Tapeta at Newcastle, Dunlop added: "As people said, he did most things wrong in the race and still got away with it.

"To look at him this morning, you wouldn't know he'd had a race and he's come out of it extremely well. Mrs Patino [owner] was very excited afterwards and it's great for Snow Fairy that the horse has now won a Listed race. It was a great result for everyone."

William Buick, who rode John Leeper on Saturday, is likely to be otherwise engaged in the Derby with Charlie Appleby set to field Hurricane Lane and One Ruler, and possibly Adayar.

Dunlop – whose last Classic runner was Red Verdon, sixth to Harzand in the Derby in 2016 – could look to Frankie Dettori as a replacement, with John and Thady Gosden unlikely to have a representative. Also in the mix is Hollie Doyle, who rode the son of Frankel to win at Newcastle.

Dunlop added: "The jockey situation is under discussion as we speak with Mrs Patino and hopefully it will be sorted this week."

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