'He keeps answering the questions' - Item stays unbeaten and cut to 6-1 for Derby as Juddmonte star again

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Just when Ballydoyle looked to have Epsom's Classics in their grasp, a superpower rival broke their dominant hand again as Item delivered for Juddmonte in the Dante Stakes to surge into the Derby picture.

Legacy Link disrupted Aidan O'Brien's monopoly in the Oaks market when taking the Musidora Stakes on Wednesday, and 24 hours on it was rinse and repeat for the owners. This time it was the Andrew Balding-trained three-year-old who looked the perfect package.

Winner of a Kempton maiden and Bath novice last year, Item took Britain's most recognised Derby trial in his stride. Settled towards the rear by Colin Keane, he reeled in his rivals before swiping away longtime leader Action for a sublime two-and-three-quarter-length victory.

Epsom's double-deckers on the inside of its track are not the sight they once were, but Juddmonte have unearthed Classic contenders like London buses. And Item was cut to 6-1 by the Derby's sponsors Betfred, having been 33-1 before the Dante.

"He's not very flash at home and we certainly came in here not really knowing where we're going, but that was a very good performance on his first start this year," said the operation's European racing manager Barry Mahon.

"He travelled and picked up well and galloped out okay. It was a good performance and it feels like a horse that would get a little bit further, which is positive. 

"We'll talk to the owners to see what they want to do, but hopefully they'll want to roll the dice at Epsom."

Juddmonte have used the Dante before as a springboard to Derby glory, with 2010 winner Workforce finishing runner-up on the Knavesmire before his record-breaking triumph at Epsom. Now Mahon hopes Item can use York as the perfect platform 16 years on and complete an illustrious double.

"There's some very good horses who won the trials at Chester and Lingfield," he said. "They look very strong candidates, but this horse has done nothing wrong and he is three wins from three starts now and keeps answering the questions.

"It's huge and that's what Juddmonte are here for. We want to be represented at the top table. To have the filly win and then this colt follow up is satisfaction. Hopefully they can climb a little higher."

In an era when some people say the Derby is not the esteemed race it once was, Juddmonte are having none of it.

Colin Keane and Item return to the winner's enclosure after their Dante victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Mahon said: "We want to be competing for Classics and these are the types of horses we want. It's a pleasure to have them.

"The Derby is very much still one of the best middle-distance races in the world. It might not be the most fashionable, but there's no doubt it's one of the best. That's where we want to be and it's exciting."

Balding has an Oaks win on his distinguished CV, and has already hit the crossbar in the Derby with rank outsiders Khalifa Sat and Hoo Ya Mal. It will be much different this time when he will now have Britain's leading hope on June 6.

"Having a Derby contender is what we do it for and Andrew has publicly said he'd love to win the Derby," his wife and assistant trainer Anna-Lisa Balding said. 

"We really hoped he was good as he's done some great pieces of work. We went into the winter dreaming and the dream continues."

O'Brien's Dante drought continued, with Action runner-up and Christmas Day, sent off the 11-4 favourite, a length and three-quarters further back in third.

Paul Smith, representing owners Coolmore, said: "I thought they both ran well. The jockeys were happy with them. We'll get them home and make a plan for them." 

The team behind Item were not the only ones in awe of him, as he has a fan in Tom Marquand, who rode fifth-placed Morshdi.

"It rode like a good race," he said. "The Juddmonte horse was impressive. I could feel him coming and I tried to engage with him a little bit, but with no such luck!" 

Betfred Derby (3.30 Epsom, June 6)
Betfred: 9-4 Benvenuto Cellini, 11-2 Constitution River, 6 Item, 10 Maltese Cross, 14 James J Braddock, Pierre Bonnard, 16 Action, Bay Of Brilliance, Hawk Mountain, 20 bar.

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