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16:30 Epsom Downs

Saturday 4 June 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Cazoo Derby (In Memory of Lester Piggott) (Group 1)

Off time: 16:38 | Winning time: 2m 36.38s

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Selected odds by:

(16)

Changingoftheguard^p1³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W M Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

9/1

Drew a blank in 3 outings over 1m as a juvenile but much improved this season, easily landing the odds at Dundalk on return before putting himself firmly in the Derby picture when a wide-margin winner of the 4-runner Chester Vase, making all in a good time. Stamina guaranteed. Headgear applied.

Form: 452-11

(12)

Desert Crown²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 117

5/2

Nathaniel colt who could hardly have made a more impressive debut at Nottingham in the autumn, storming clear. Plenty about him physically so no surprise he improved significantly when following up in the Dante at York with plenty in hand on return. Form pick and looks a most exciting prospect.

Form: 1-1

(14)

El Habeeb²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J F Egan| T: J S Moore

250/1

Far from disgraced to finish fifth of 6 when pitched in at the deep end in listed race at Newmarket on debut 3 weeks ago but has a mountain to climb on just his second career start.

Form: 5

(10)

Glory Daze²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R P Whelan| T: A Oliver| OR: 105

66/1

Off the mark in 13-runner maiden at the Curragh on return and improved again when runner-up in Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, albeit proving no match for Stone Age. All to do.

Form: 630-12

(17)

Grand Alliance⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: C Fellowes| OR: 98

40/1

Arrives with a progressive profile, winning a novice at Chelmsford before following up in a handicap at Doncaster despite hanging across the track. Met some trouble when ½-length second to Nahanni in Blue Riband Trial here (10f) since but plenty to find at this level.

Form: 4-3112

(3)

Hoo Ya Mal^h³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 105

150/1

Won 7f York maiden last year and useful form in defeat since, 5 lengths third of 6 to Native Trail in Craven Stakes at Newmarket before runner-up in listed event there, albeit proving no match for 7-length winner Nations Pride. Looks out of his depth.

Form: 312-32

(8)

Masekela⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: A M Balding| OR: 107| BF

66/1

Narrowly denied by Native Trail in Superlative at last year's July meeting. Bagged a Newbury listed win on next start but just respectable efforts in defeat since, including when second in listed race at Newmarket on return. Withdrawn after restless in stalls intended latest start in Dante at York.

Form: 15214-2

(6)

Nahanni^p⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C Appleby| OR: 99| C| D

25/1

Frankel colt who is 3 from 3 since an encouraging debut, staying on strongly to defy a penalty by a wide margin in a novice at Leicester before making all in game fashion in Blue Riband Trial here (10f) in April. Trainer/jockey won this last year with Adayar but more needed again.

Form: 2111

(5)

Nations Pride³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 116

15/2

Confirmed debut promise when winning a couple of novices on the AW in the autumn and has made a fine impression switched to turf this year, bolting up at Meydan and in a listed event at Newmarket (by 7 lengths from Hoo Ya Mal). Supplemented for £75,000 and the choice of William Buick.

Form: 211-11

(7)

Piz Badile⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 110

9/1

Arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten and improved another chunk to make the breakthrough at pattern level when a narrow winner of the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, good) on return 63 days ago, displaying a very willing attitude. Step up in trip likely to suit and must be respected.

Form: 12-1

(1)

Royal Patronage²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 112| C

28/1

Smart at 2 yrs, impressive winner of Acomb at York before following up in Royal Lodge at Newmarket, snatching victory from Coroebus who kicked too soon. Ran to form when 8th in 2000 Guineas on return and easily brushed aside by Desert Crown when upped in trip for Dante. Will do well to make frame.

Form: 1118-82

(13)

Sonny Liston³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: C Hills| OR: 104

100/1

Impressive debut winner at Sandown last summer. Creditable fourth in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on return despite taking a strong hold, and still far from the finished article when 2¼ lengths third of 6 to Star of India in listed Dee Stakes (12/1) at Chester. This looks too demanding.

Form: 1-43

(15)

Star Of India³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

16/1

Galileo colt who impressed when winning 7f Leopardstown maiden on debut. Looked in need of the run in the Craven and duly improved again when decisive winner of the Dee Stakes at Chester, never stronger than at the finish, which offers hope for him staying 1½m. Entitled to take his chance.

Form: 1-51

(4)

Stone Age²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 115

7/2

Progressed well at 2 yrs, signing off with excellent second in Criterium de Saint Cloud. Easily landed the odds in maiden at Navan on return and followed up in striking fashion when making all in Derby Trial at Leopardstown. Straightforward sort who's bound to prove at least as effective over 1½m.

Form: 2262-11

(9)

Walk Of Stars²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 107| BF

11/1

Improving son of Dubawi who made it 2-3 when landing the odds in 3-runner conditions event at Newbury (10f) on return. However, didn't look entirely straightforward when runner-up in the Derby Trial at Lingfield (hung right) and Epsom may not be ideal for him on that evidence.

Form: 31-12

(2)

Westover⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 109

25/1

Frankel colt who didn't do himself full justice in 2 defeats after winning on his debut at 2 yrs and duly found improvement when making a winning return in the Classic Trial at Sandown 6 weeks ago, just holding on but suited by the step up in trip. Should stay this extra 2f and worth a shot.

Form: 122-1

(11)

West Wind Blows^h²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 101

40/1

Overcame inexperience to make a winning debut at Newcastle in December and found a whole chunk of improvement when defying a penalty in impressive fashion at Nottingham on return last month. Looks a smart prospect but this is a massive step up in class.

Form: 1-1

Forecasts

Desert Crown (5/2), Stone Age (7/2), Nations Pride (15/2), Changingoftheguard (9/1), Piz Badile (9/1), Walk Of Stars (11/1), Star Of India (16/1), Westover (25/1), Nahanni (25/1), Royal Patronage (28/1), West Wind Blows (40/1), Grand Alliance (40/1), Masekela (66/1), Glory Daze (66/1), Sonny Liston (100/1), Hoo Ya Mal (150/1), El Habeeb (250/1)

Plenty of improving and unexposed colts as expected but DESERT CROWN already looks a top-class prospect, running to a very smart level when winning the Dante at York with plenty in hand, and he may well have the talent to win the Derby on just his third career start. Aidan O'Brien has a typically strong hand as he bids for a record-extending ninth win and his impressive Derby Trial winner Stone Age is a solid alternative, while Changingoftheguard shouldn't be underestimated, either.