Derby proves a bridge too far for Telecaster as Classic dreams are dashed

Friday's Oaks was a dream result for Mark Weinfeld with Anapurna triumphing, but 24 hours later the Derby proved extremely disappointing for the owner-breeder as Telecaster trailed home last of the 13 runners.

Victory in the Dante Stakes at York last month thrust Telecaster into the reckoning for the Derby, and he was added to the field on Monday at a cost of £85,000.

Having travelled just off the leaders in fourth, Telecaster was perfectly positioned but quickly beaten under Oisin Murphy, who allowed the colt to coast home late on.

The Epsom outing marked a fourth start since the end of March for Telecaster, and trainer Hughie Morrison felt the earlier exertions had taken a toll.

"He ran flat," Morrison said. "Oisin felt he was beaten before he even pushed him. He's had three quick races in the spring and it's caught up with him.

"We'll brush ourselves down and be back for something else in the next month or so. Our judgement was right in March, it was too much too quick. But there's only one Derby so you have to give it a go."

Bangkok (far left): finished second-last in the Epsom ClassicCredit: Mark Cranham (Racingpost.com/photos)

While Telecaster was the leading British-trained hope in the betting at 5-1, the other member of the home team sent off at single-figure odds, Bangkok, fared little better, coming home one from last for King Power Racing and Andrew Balding.

The trainer said: "It was very disappointing, we came here with high expectations but there you go. Silvestre [de Sousa, jockey] felt Bangkok didn't handle the track. Hopefully that is the case as we don't necessarily need to come back here."

Hiroshima may not have collected any prize-money, but the 100-1 outsider of the field did beat two home for John Ryan and koi carp-loving owner Graham Smith-Bernal.

Humanitarian fared best of the British challenge in seventh, with Line Of Duty ninth.

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