'It's a big thing for me' - Epsom boy Jack Mitchell on his two unbeaten mounts

Winning an Epsom Classic is a childhood dream for every jockey but it rings even more true for Jack Mitchell, who bids to land the Oaks and Derby this week at a track he grew up overlooking.

Mitchell's childhood was spent at Downs House – once the home of Eclipse – in the centre of the course, with the entrance to the stables, where his father Philip trained, at the first road crossing over the 1m4f trip.

The rider’s CV features the German St Leger courtesy of Oriental Eagle in 2017 and a second in the German Derby on subsequent Arc hero Torquator Tasso in 2020, but he makes his domestic Classic debut on the unbeaten Rogue Millennium in the Oaks and partners West Wind Blows in the Derby.

Mitchell said: “It’s a very exciting week and it’s a big thing for me having grown up in Epsom. Dad used to host parties on the front lawn on the big racedays and I used to stand by the gate on the driveway, watch all the jockeys pull up and walk past and then, as they went past in the race, I'd run into the house to watch the end of the race.”

The Tom Clover-trained Rogue Millennium, owned by The Rogues Gallery, was supplemented for the fillies’ Classic at a cost of £30,000 on Saturday and she impressed her rider with her finishing effort to land the Lingfield trial by a head this month – a route taken by Oaks winner Anapurna in 2019.

“She only started her career this year and has done nothing wrong,” said Mitchell of the 16-1 chance.

“She’s still a big baby and Lingfield will have made her grow up a bit. We don’t know how good she is, which is the exciting part, and Friday will be a test for her.

“She rattled home nicely once organised in the straight at Lingfield and it gave me confidence as to her handling the track this week. She’s very well balanced.”

West Wind Blows (left): Derby contender galloped at Epsom last weekCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

West Wind Blows routed Nottingham novice rivals this month by five lengths under a penalty to take his record to 2-2, having been withdrawn from the Newbury conditions race won by the reopposing Walk Of Stars in April after getting loose.

Mitchell believes the Abdulla Al Mansoori-owned colt, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford and bred by Godolphin, has matured in the last few weeks and is hopeful he can outrun his 33-1 odds.

“I’ve had a couple of sits on him since Nottingham, where I was very impressed with him, including at Epsom last week, and he seems to have grown up a lot,” said Mitchell.

“He has such a high cruising gear and that’s his biggest asset. I’d be hopeful he can outrun his odds. He’s going there with only two runs but he feels very well and continues to do well physically.”

Mitchell's first century in 2020 was followed by a best tally of 116 winners last year, with the rider crediting his agent Steve Croft for increasing the number of trainers he rides for and "simply getting me on better horses”, and he hides nothing about what an Epsom Classic would mean to him.

Mitchell said: “To win a Group 1 would be amazing but to win a Classic at Epsom would just be a dream.”

Eydon set to take on Desert Crown and Stone Age in Cazoo Derby

Roger Varian confirmed on Tuesday the 2,000 Guineas form would be represented in the Derby in the shape of fourth-placed finisher Eydon.

The son of Olden Times, who won the Listed Feilden Stakes before getting within four and a quarter lengths of Coroebus at Newmarket, had the option of running this weekend in Classics at Epsom or Chantilly.

"I'm pleased to say the horse is in great form, and following discussions with his owner, Prince Faisal, we plan to run in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday and not the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday," Varian said.

Now read these . . .

Lingfield forced to abandon two races as unsafe ground woes continue

Cazoo Derby: Nations Pride and El Habeeb added with 18 still in contention

'I'd love to see her have a crack at the Sandringham' – Royal Ascot eyecatchers

Sign up here. New customers only. First single & each-way bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.