Derby dark horse taking unconventional route to Epsom - potentially via a 7f handicap at Goodwood

Look out for the ultimate Derby dark horse next weekend. He hails from the Dante Stakes-winning yard, is rated "unlucky" not to have beaten the favourite last season — and could reappear in a 7f handicap.

Epsom is the target for the Ralph Beckett-trained Stanhope Gardens, and it is hoped he will join stablemate Pride Of Arras in the field on June 7.

The Beverley maiden winner, who is jointly owned by Chelsea Thoroughbreds and Marc Chan, has not raced since going down narrowly to Delacroix at Newmarket last October.

But Emma Spencer, racing manager to Chelsea Thoroughbreds, said on Saturday: "The plan is the Derby. He had a very tiny setback and didn't run in the Guineas but he's in good order and the plan is to run next Saturday.

"Due to lack of options he'll either run at Salisbury in a conditions race or in a valuable seven-furlong handicap at Goodwood. It's slightly unconventional but he needs to run."

Stanhope Gardens, who finished third behind subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court when the pair made their debuts at Sandown last July, is from the family of 2014 Derby third Romsdal.

"He looks great," Spencer said. "He has strong form and he's a really exciting horse."

Delacroix, a best-priced 11-4 for Epsom after wins in the Ballysax Stakes and Leopardstown Derby Trial this spring, beat Stanhope Gardens by a neck in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

"He was unlucky not to win that day," Spencer said. "He hit the front and looked like winning and Delacroix got back at him in the last stride or two."

Stanhope Gardens is available at 33-1 for the Betfred Derby, in which Beckett's Pride Of Arras is quoted at no bigger than 5-1 after his success in the Dante Stakes at York.

Pride Of Arras (Rossa Ryan) wins the Dante Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Asked what the trainer thought of Stanhope Garden's prospects of making it to Epsom, Spencer said: "Ralph doesn't shout from the rooftops about anything, he's a realist.

"But everything the horse has done has been pleasing and he wouldn't be heading in this direction if Ralph didn't think it was the right place to go – he doesn't run horses in races for the fun of it."

James Owen is delighted with Wimbledon Hawkeye, who is a best-priced 25-1 for the Derby after finishing three lengths third to Pride Of Arras at York.

"He's in fantastic form," the trainer said. "He's come out of the race really well and I was thrilled with his run. He's had three quick runs but he handles them well, he's got great resolution. It's lovely to have a horse running in these races."

Betfred Derby odds (3.30 Epsom, June 7)

Betfred: 11-4 Delacroix, 4 Ruling Court, 9-2 The Lion In Winter, 5 Pride Of Arras, 10 Twain, 12 Damysus, 16 Lambourn, 20 Mount Kilimanjaro, Wimbledon Hawkeye, 25 bar

Now read these:

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

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

'He's going to improve a lot' - Aidan O'Brien still full of hope for The Lion In Winter despite losing spot as Derby favourite 

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