Cape Of Good Hope 40-1 for Derby after breaking O'Brien's duck in Epsom trial

With the small matter of six Derbys to his name it was something of an anomaly Aidan O'Brien had never landed Epsom's Blue Riband Trial, but the master of Ballydoyle put that right when Cape Of Good Hope and Ryan Moore denied the fast-finishing Cap Francais on Wednesday.

Victory was not as important to Cape Of Good Hope as it would have been for others in this 'win and you're in' Classic trial, as the son of Galileo was one of only two in the race who already possessed an entry for the Derby, but experiencing Epsom's unique contours could count for plenty if he lines up the big one on June 1.

Cape Of Good Hope's success on his seasonal return created nothing more than a ripple in the Derby market, although the 40-1 offered by Coral might look generous should he return for Britain's most valuable prize.

Derby card and betting

"He brought some of the best form into the race and it's good to get some experience around Epsom," said Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley. "He's a full-brother to Highland Reel and Idaho, and we're very pleased with that.

"Ryan said he settled nicely and responded well. We'll see how he comes out of this and talk to the owners but, on that performance, you'd like to think he'd be coming back here."

Shortest of O'Brien's huge Derby entry in the ante-post betting is Beresford Stakes winner Japan, although Buckley said the upcoming trials would help establish a pecking order.

He added: "We've not declared anything for Sandown on Friday but we have a lot of trials coming up and once we get those sorted out we'll have a better idea, but we couldn't have been happier with that performance."

Despite seeing Cap Francais run a fine race in second, trainer Ed Walker was unmistakably deflated having missed out on an automatic start in the Derby, leaving connections to consider an £85,000 supplementary fee.

"It's a lot of money," pondered Walker. "We'll watch the other trials and see how they unfold. We might even take in another trial ourselves."

Cap Francais's run was all the more eyecatching considering his pre-race antics, when he was calling out like a menace and awash with sweat.

Walker added: "He's got that freshness out of him and it will do him the world of good. Maybe he's not a horse for the Derby but we'll see. There are loads of options – he could go Ascot, or to Ireland. It's a tough one. If we'd won by half a length there'd be no question, we'd be going for the Derby."

Arthur Kitt started favourite in the seven-runner field at 9-4 but his chance was severely compromised when he stumbled badly leaving the stalls and nearly unseated Richard Kingscote.

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