Niarchos team hoping Circus Maximus will be main attraction in the Derby

Light Shift provided the Niarchos family with an emotional first Oaks success in 2007 and their hopes are pinned on Dee Stakes scorer Circus Maximus repeating the dose for connections in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

The owners have gone close in the Derby before, notably with Law Society, second to Slip Anchor in 1985, and more recently Main Sequence, who filled the same spot behind Camelot in 2012, and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Circus Maximus is a best price 22-1 with William Hill to land the Classic.

Circus Maximus, owned by Flaxman Stables – the Niarchos family’s operation - John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, defeated stablemate Mohawk by a length and a quarter in the Listed contest at Chester this month and boasts some eyecatching juvenile form, notably when a length fourth behind 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Phoenix Of Spain in the Vertem Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

Alan Cooper, racing manager to the Niarchos family, said on Wednesday: “It’s always a dream to win at Epsom so it’s very exciting that Circus Maximus will take his chance.

“He won very nicely at Chester and gave the team the impression that he’s going to improve with racing. The step up in trip could bring about improvement and he’s got very good form from last year.

“He’s a very nice horse that merits his chance in what appears to be a good-quality field.”

Cooper has fond memories of the Oaks success with the Sir Henry Cecil-trained Light Shift, who repelled the late challenge of O’Brien’s Peeping Fawn, and hopes Circus Maximus can provide connections with another moment to savour on the Epsom Downs.

Recalling Light Shift’s success, Cooper said: “It was a very emotional day. It was our first Oaks win and it was ‘Henry’s Oaks’ as everyone calls it. Henry was very unwell at the time and I don’t recall there being three cheers for anybody at the races like there were that day for him.

Light Shift and Ted Durcan won the 2007 Oaks from Peeping FawnCredit: Mark Cranham

“The Niarchos colours have never passed the post first in the Derby – we have been placed a few times – and it would be a fabulous result if Circus Maximus was able to win. As Mr Tesio said a very long time ago, the winning post at Epsom is the proving ground.”

Circus Maximus is likely to feature in a seven-strong team for Ballydoyle that includes 3-1 favourite Sir Dragonet, with Cape Of Good Hope, successful in the Investec Blue Riband Trial at Epsom in April, set to be re-routed to the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.

O’Brien, who has yet to win the French Classic, said: “We're planning to send Cape Of Good Hope and Mohawk to France. Nothing is set in stone and things could change, but that's the way it's looking."

Ground and weather

The going at Epsom eased to good (from good, good to firm in places) on the Derby course on Wednesday evening following just over 2mm of rain during the afternoon, while the 5f course remains good, good to firm in places.

Temperatures are set to peak at 22C on Oaks day and 26C on Derby day, with clerk of the course Andrew Cooper considering watering after racing on Friday should the dry and settled forecast prove correct.

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