Andrea Atzeni confident Masekela can give Derby form another boost

Thursday: 1.50 Newmarket
Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3) | 1m5f | 3yo | ITV3/RTV

This season's Derby is working out exceptionally well and the Bahrain Trophy provides another opportunity to showcase the strength of the Epsom Classic.

The third and 12th have since finished first and second in the Irish Derby and the fifth and 11th filled the first two places in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot.

Masekela was fourth at Epsom but handled the course better than the reopposing Walk Of Stars, who trailed home last of the 17 runners and patently hated the track. James Doyle turned on the breaks when his chance evaporated and this course and a small-field set-up will bring the pair much closer together.

There are also distinct similarities between Walk Of Stars and last season's Bahrain Trophy winner Yibir. They are sons of Dubawi trained by Charlie Appleby stepping up to a staying distance for the first time and, like Yibir did, Walk Of Stars arrives as a first-time gelding.

Appleby has a 26 per cent strike-rate with first-time geldings and that is a small increase from his overall strike-rate of 22 per cent. The fact Walk Of Stars is the chosen one among a jam-packed group of high-class Godolphin-owned middle-distance colts is likely to be significant.

This is a difficult race to predict tactically as the three highest-rated runners have adopted various early positions in recent starts, but the fourth-best on the official figures, Al Qareem, is a confirmed front-runner and seems the likeliest to go on.

Al Qareem attempted to make every yard in the Queen's Vase last time, but it is notoriously tougher to pull off front-running tactics at Ascot than at Newmarket's July course.

The Karl Burke-trained three-year-old faded into fourth and there might not be as much between him and Queen's Vase second Zechariah as the early odds suggested. Al Qareem could be the value play.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'Masekela finished off nicely at Epsom – he should stay it'

The form of the Derby is put under the spotlight again with the fourth-placed Masekela down in class and much more fancied than the 66-1 available at Epsom.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt was no match for winner Desert Crown but produced a career-best in finishing five and a half lengths behind third-placed Westover. His length advantage over Changingoftheguard reads particularly well considering that colt went on to win a Group 2 at Royal Ascot.

Masekela is dropped to Group 3 level and Andrea Atzeni – who was a late replacement at Epsom for the injured Jason Watson – has no concerns regarding the extra furlong here. If he can stay the distance, the 33-1 available for the St Leger with William Hill could easily disappear.

"I thought his Derby run was very good," said Atzeni. "I rode him to run well, which he did, and the key that day was getting him to relax – then he finished off quite nicely.

"He's up again in trip here but the way he relaxed through the race at Epsom makes me think he's should stay it. I'm looking forward to riding him, he's a beautiful-looking horse and is very straightforward. It looks an open race but I think he'd have every chance."

Walk Of Stars (left): finished a close second to United Nations in the Lingfield Derby TrialCredit: Edward Whitaker

Walk Of Stars was subject to a late gamble in the Derby but finished last of the 17 runners. He displayed plenty of talent in his Newbury win and Lingfield Derby Trial second and has undergone a gelding operation, which it is hoped will help him fulfil his potential.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: "We felt he was entitled to be at Epsom but on the day it was a disappointing run. I feel the gelding operation gives us the best chance of bringing out the racehorse in him and the signs so far are good."

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Al Qareem
We're really looking forward to running him, he's a progressive horse and seems in great form. Dropping back a furlong will do him no harm, but I just hope the ground isn't too quick.

James Ferguson, trainer of Deauville Legend
We like him at home. He ran a great race at Ascot and I think the extra furlong will play to his strengths. It's a huge step up in grade but we're going there with plenty of confidence. He's progressed with every run and mentally he's come a long way, we hope he can improve again.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Green Team
He wasn't drawn very favourably in the Queen's Vase and we had to drop in. He raced a little bit lazily then but stayed on well at the end, so we've put some cheekpieces on to try to help him.

Freddie Meade, joint-trainer of Zechariah
He's come out of his Ascot run well, which we were pleased with. I think he's got a good chance. He relished the trip last time, albeit it's a furlong shorter here, and seems in great form.
Reporting by James Stevens

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3.35 Newmarket: Breeders' Cup hero Yibir out to show his class before another trip Stateside

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