Derby movers: 'No surprise' Godolphin pair strong in the market

Nations Pride (William Buick) win the 1m 2f Newmarket StakesNewmarket 29.4.22 Pic: Edward Whitaker

Nations Pride: looks Godolphin's main Derby challengerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Blue has been the colour in the Classics this season and it seems two of Godolphin's three Cazoo Derby runners are catching the imagination in advance of Saturday's blockbuster, due off at and live on ITV.

Trainer Charlie Appleby has landed the 2,000 Guineas in both Ireland and France this spring and also won last year's Derby with Adayar.

Perhaps that is tempting punters into siding with Nations Pride, who is 11-2 (from 6) with Paddy Power, who make stablemate Nahanni 25-1 (from 28).

Appleby also runs 16-1 chance Walk Of Stars in the Derby, for which Desert Crown is 9-4 favourite, although not a firm one it seems.

The scene at Epsom on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “I was in Newmarket on Monday when the only horse on anyone’s lips was Desert Crown. His price hasn’t changed since last night at 9-4, but given the vibes I was getting at the beginning of the week, I’m shocked that he’s relatively weak gone midday on Derby day.

"We’ve now seen a few quid for the Charlie Appleby-trained pair of Nations Pride and Nahanni which is perhaps unsurprising as he’s been winning Guineas for fun and his Adayar did the business for the boys in blue last year."

Rain eases going

Epsom's going for its biggest raceday has eased to good, good to soft in places hours before Saturday's Cazoo Derby after morning rain.

That was the description at the close of play on Oaks day on Friday, but conditions quickened overnight and clerk of the course Andrew Cooper had the ground as good on the Derby course, which is in use for six of the card's seven races, and good, good to firm in places for the – the only 5f event on the bill.

However, rain started to fall from around 8am on Saturday and Cooper tweaked things once again just before noon.

That means the going on the straight 5f course is good, and it is good, good to soft in places for the Derby circuit.

"The Derby course is good, good to soft in places with the straight course having good ground," he said.

"We’ve had 2.8mm of rain this morning, 3.2mm in total since racing yesterday. That rain we’ve had looks like that’ll be it based on the forecast."

Star Sports lay £10,000 Derby bet

Any ease in the ground following morning rain at Epsom on Saturday should not pose a problem to Derby (4.30) favourite Desert Crown.

He is the one punters appear to be backing and victory would mean a sixth Derby triumph for Sir Michael Stoute.

It would also make him the oldest man to train the winner of the prestigious race and his contender won on soft ground at Nottingham last year so conditions should be fine.

Ed Dark of bookmakers Star Sports said on Saturday morning: "Desert Crown is very popular and we've laid one bet of £10,000 at 9-4.

"He's our biggest loser ante-post, almost to a six-figure sum."

Richard Kingscote is the lucky man who will ride Desert Crown and probably does not care about big bets, instead focusing on the task at hand.

"He's been very impressive and deserves to be favourite," he told BBC Radio 4 on Saturday.

"But it is going to be a hugely difficult race. They are still young animals and still improving so it is a bit of an unknown. Also Epsom is a tricky track. Having a relaxed horse is very helpful because the build-up can sometimes get them too excited. And in the race it's a very undulating track with ups and downs and turns. Hence why the Derby is such a prestigious race.

"I'm a daydreamer and I've won it plenty of times in my head."

Big Derby field 'great to see' says clerk

The Derby is live on ITV's main channel and has a healthy line-up of 17.

"It's a fascinating Derby and it's great to see a big field," Cooper told the BBC.

"We've had a few years of 12 to 14 runners, which is fine, but it's nice to see a big competitive field and it is competitive. Desert Crown is a lot of people's fancy, but I just wonder if it's one of those races with three or four horses in a line coming to it."

Television viewing for the Queen

The Queen will not be at Epsom to mark her Platinum Jubilee and Cooper added: "There's a guard of honour for her of 40 jockeys who have ridden in the royal silks over the years, including some quite elderly ones coming back.

"There will be a parade of some of her ex-racehorses and it's a great shame she can't be here. We understand, but I'm sure she'll enjoy watching it on TV."

Passionate and committed throughout: don't miss the Queen's life in racing

The Derby, run this year in memory of the late Lester Piggott, is arguably the world's most important race, dating back to 1780.

"The magic of the Derby goes back to its history," Cooper said. "It's part of the fabric of British society. You've got the top hats and tails this side and people who can go out on the Hill for free – and it's the greatest free show on earth."

Paddy Power's Epsom movers

2.00 Blue Trail 5-1 (from 11-2)
2.35 Mrs Fitzherbert 3-1 (from 100-30)
3.10 Mutasaabeeq 15-8 (from 5-2)
3.45 Live In The Dream (15-2 from 8)