English King now 4-1 for 'wide-open' Derby as O'Brien's Mogul attracts support

Ed Walker on Thursday talked of his confidence in Investec Derby favourite English King, but his optimism in the exciting colt does not seem to be shared by punters and on Friday bet365 and William went 4-1 about the trainer's first runner in the Epsom Classic.

Owned by hedge fund expert Bjorn Nielsen, English King showcased his credentials for Flat racing's ultimate prize by winning the Lingfield Derby Trial in commanding fashion this summer and his chances arguably increased when connections booked Frankie Dettori to ride on Saturday.

The son of Camelot – the Derby hero in 2012 – had been a firm favourite and was as short as 2-1 on Thursday, but was then drawn in stall one – a berth that has not produced the race's winner since Oath in 1999.

Walker was unconcerned by that, saying he was "not bothered at all", but his emerging stable star was eased further on Friday when bet365 and Hills moved him to 4-1, while a host of other firms went 7-2 about a colt who had started the day at 3-1 generally.

Victory for English King would not be a disaster for bet365, whose spokesman Pat Cooney said on Friday: "He's a good result ante-post for us.

"He's only become popular since Lingfield and we shortened him again with the Frankie news.

"So we go into the race with a good-looking book, and just feel English King is more of a 4-1 chance than 11-4.

"Also we are a fifth the odds on the first four places, so are now laying more of the bigger-priced runners."

2,000 Guineas winner Kameko and Mogul – seemingly the first string of the powerful Ryan Moore-Aidan O'Brien-Coolmore axis – are vying for second favouritism around 9-2 and 5-1.

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "The Derby looks wide open so we are happy to take on English King. Even though he's now as big as 7-2, it is Mogul who is attracting the bulk of support."

The ground at Epsom, which also stages the Investec Oaks on Saturday, remained good, good to soft in places on Friday morning, although light rain could fall before the big race.

Investec Derby betting

bet365: 4-1 English King, 9-2 Kameko, 9-2 Mogul, 13-2 Russian Emperor, 10 Vatican City, 16 Highland Chief, Pyledriver, 20 Mohican Heights, 25 bar

Lingfield Derby Trial result, replay and analysis

2020 Investec Derby: the runners, the odds, the verdict

Runners and riders for the 2020 Investec Oaks with Love among eight declared

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