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13:30 Epsom Downs

Saturday 3 June 2023

All12:5013:3014:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Betfred Derby (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

Off time: 13:32 | Winning time: 2m 33.88s

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(14)

Adelaide River²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

33/1

Winning debut on AW last summer and placed 4 times at Group level since, though he was 6 lengths adrift of Dubai Mile/Arrest in Criterium de Saint-Cloud on final start 2-y-o and was again soundly beaten by Arrest in Chester Vase on return. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: 1223-2

(13)

Arrest²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 115| D

4/1

Most progressive juvenile who scored twice over 1m before head second to Dubai Mile (Adelaide River 6 lengths back in third) in Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Smashed Adelaide River by a similar margin in Chester Vase on return last month and should make a bold bid with stamina assured.

Form: 3112-1

(8)

Artistic Star¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98

22/1

Unbeaten Galileo colt, winning strong maiden at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) in October before defying penalty in good style at Sandown on return. Remains with potential but experience/ability will be fully tested here.

Form: 1-1

(10)

Auguste Rodin²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF

9/2

Unlucky on debut and made no mistake in 3 subsequent outings, running out the comfortable winner of Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy) in October. Ran no sort of race when favourite for 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on return but still warrants plenty of respect with this trip likely to suit.

Form: 2111-0

(1)

Dear My Friend¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 104

100/1

Pivotal colt who won novices at Carlisle (6f) and Beverley (7.4f) first 2 starts. Made a winning return in listed race at Newcastle but limitations fully exposed in the Dante at York. Big outsider.

Form: 1533-18

(5)

Dubai Mile²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Johnston| OR: 114

25/1

Very progressive at 2 yrs, second to The Foxes in slowly-run Royal Lodge before gamely beating Arrest in Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Ran as well as could have been expected when fifth in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on return and this trip likely to be more suitable. Not to be underestimated.

Form: 41121-5

(4)

King Of Steel²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Stott| T: R Varian| OR: 101

66/1

Fast-tracked to Group 1 level after an impressive debut success at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) but could manage only seventh in Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. Remains with potential but this is a massive ask on return for a new yard. Bred to stay.

Form: 17-

(9)

Military Order²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| D

9/2

Brother to Derby and King George VI winner Adayar. Beaten at short odds first-time out but has made no mistake since, completing hat-trick with a bit in hand in Lingfield Derby Trial 3 weeks ago by 1¼ lengths from Waipiro. Every chance of emulating his brother.

Form: 41-11

(7)

Passenger¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 112| BF

8/1

Scopey sort who overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in maiden (Wood Ditton) at Newmarket and took a massive step forward when third in Dante at York, likely to have gone very close to winning with a clear run. Has since been supplemented for this and remains an exciting prospect.

Form: 13

(12)

San Antonio²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W M Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106

18/1

Continued his race-by-race progression when bolting up in a Dundalk maiden (10.7f, 10/3) on return and threw his hat into the Derby ring when following up in the Dee Stakes at Chester, making most. Another big step forward required, however, and Moore prefers Auguste Rodin.

Form: 53-11

(6)

Sprewell²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 110

14/1

Confirmed 2-y-o promise when making a winning return in novice at Naas. Progressed again tackling 1¼m for the first time when following up in Derby Trial at Leopardstown, advertising his Derby credentials with a very smart effort. Ground an unknown (raced only on heavy) but still much respected.

Form: 42-11

(3)

The Foxes¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 113

7/1

Progressive Churchill colt who followed up maiden win in a slowly run but strong renewal of the Royal Lodge at Newmarket final start at 2yrs. Solid return in the Craven there and proved well suited by longer trip when holding off White Birch in Dante at York. Firmly in the mix.

Form: 4911-21

(11)

Waipiro²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 108

25/1

Proved a different proposition to debut when making all in novice at Newmarket on return. Again showed significant improvement when pushing Military Order in Lingfield Derby Trial, beaten only final 100 yds. Fully entitled to take his chance, though his temperament will be tested (excitable colt).

Form: 6-12

(2)

White Birch^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: C T Keane| T: J J Murphy| OR: 105

12/1

Confirmed debut promise to run out a ready winner of maiden at Dundalk and took another big step forward when following up in 6-runner Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, heavy) on return. Ran on strongly when close second in Dante at York since and extra 2f will suit. Considered.

Form: 51-12

Forecasts

Arrest (4/1), Auguste Rodin (9/2), Military Order (9/2), The Foxes (7/1), Passenger (8/1), White Birch (12/1), Sprewell (14/1), San Antonio (18/1), Artistic Star (22/1), Waipiro (25/1), Dubai Mile (25/1), Adelaide River (33/1), King Of Steel (66/1), Dear My Friend (100/1)

A wide-open renewal with plenty of progressive and unexposed colts but MILITARY ORDER's win at Lingfield was the most convincing of all the trials, so this brother to 2021 Derby winner Adayar has plenty going for him with his stamina guaranteed. Passenger arguably would have won the Dante at York (on only his second career start) had he not been forced to wait for a gap so he is high on the shortlist along with Chester Vase winner Arrest, who should continue to improve.