Nations Pride as short as 9-2 for Derby glory after supplement confirmation

The 2022 Flat season is well under way and it is full steam ahead to next month's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues has you covered.

Here's a recap of Friday's news and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Saturday.

Friday round-up: Nations Pride receives support after Appleby announcement

Nations Pride was cut to third favourite for the Cazoo Derby by several bookmakers after Charlie Appleby confirmed the colt would be supplemented on Monday for the Epsom Classic.

The Godolphin-owned runner is a 6-1 shot with Ladbrokes and as short as 9-2 (from 7) with Sky Bet, having been cut from 7-1 after the trainer's announcement.

Appleby is seeking a third success in the Derby after striking in 2018 with Masar and winning the contest last year with Adayar.

Godolphin will be represented this year by Nations Pride, Walk Of Stars and Nahanni, as Appleby targets a second British Classic success this season.

Desert Crown remains favourite for the race on June 4 and continues to receive support following his positive work at Newmarket earlier this week.

Ladbrokes' Nicola McGeady said: "We held Desert Crown's price for as long as we could yesterday, but his gallop at Newmarket has really stirred up excitement and punters haven't been able to resist, forcing us to slash his odds at the top of the market.

"It's been a busy morning in general, with Nations Pride also strengthening up in the Derby with his place now confirmed."

Market movers

Cazoo Oaks
With The Moonlight 8-1 (from 9)
Moon De Vega 28-1 (from 33)

Cazoo Derby
West Wind Blows 22-1 (from 33)
Sonny Liston 33-1 (from 50)

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Nations Pride

He has the right profile for Epsom. He's got five runs under his belt, having won the Jumeirah Derby and then taking the Newmarket Stakes, where William [Buick] was very pleased the way he went through the line.

It gave us as good an indication as any that the step up to a mile and a half is going to suit him and we think he deserves to be supplemented.

All eyes on. . . Oaks forfeits stage

The field for Friday's Cazoo Oaks will start to take shape as we approach the six-day forfeit stage for the race on June 3.

Ante-post favourite Emily Upjohn has been leading the charge for some time and the Musidora Stakes winner will bid to maintain her unbeaten record for John and Thady Gosden.

The duo hold a strong hand in the Epsom race as Emily Upjohn's stablemate Nashwa, winner of a trial at Newbury last time, is second favourite.

Aidan O'Brien has three leading Oaks contenders with Concert Hall, Tuesday and Thoughts Of June seeking to provide the Ballydoyle trainer with a tenth success in the race.

How the markets look. . .

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Sky Bet: 10-11 Emily Upjohn, 4 Nashwa, 6 Concert Hall, 8 Tuesday, 9 With The Moonlight, 16 Tranquil Lady, Thoughts Of June, 28 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

Paddy Power: 15-8 Desert Crown, 3 Stone Age, 7 Nations Pride, Piz Badile, Changingoftheguard, 12 Star Of India, United Nations, 16 Walk Of Stars, Westover, Eydon, 20 bar

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