Epsom Derby 2024: Ancient Wisdom cut after Futurity success
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Ancient Wisdom has been cut to 8/1 in Coral’s Epsom Derby 2024 betting odds after landing the Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.
Charlie Appleby’s charge made the running early on but was headed by Devil’s Point and Dancing Gemini when the pace quickened three furlongs out.
However, Ancient Wisdom – supplemented for the race last Monday – got a second wind in the latter stages and galloped on strongly to outstay Devil’s Point by a length and three-quarters.
William Buick’s mount was sent off the favourite while God’s Window stayed on to finish a head behind Devil’s Point in third. Aidan O’Brien’s Diego Velazquez faded out of contention.
Coral’s John Hill said: “Ancient Wisdom’s stamina kicked in in what was testing conditions at Doncaster. He is now joint-second favourite for the Derby at Epson, with only City Of Troy ahead of him in the betting.”
Buick, winning the race for the first time, said: “I’ve had a few goes at this and never been able to win it, so I’m delighted to win it this year.
“I was delighted it was on, the talk of it being abandoned earlier in the week wasn’t great, but they’ve done a great job. The ground is very soft but we’re racing on it and this is a very important race for next year.
“I was delighted with Ancient Wisdom. He put in a big performance only two weeks ago at Newmarket and Charlie and the team were very happy to supplement him.
“The plan wasn’t necessarily to make the running but it fell right, he pricked his ears and he’s just a horse who is very uncomplicated. That goes a long way in this ground.
“You go through the list of two-year-olds that have won this race and it bodes well for next year. I’m very much looking forward to him and delighted with what he did there.”
Los Angeles is 20/1 in Coral’s Epsom Derby 2024 betting odds after his recent victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.
Christophe Soumillon’s mount benefitted from coming up the stands side rail to see off the Joseph O’Brien-trained Islandsinthestream and claim Group One glory over 10 furlongs at odds of 67/10.
The winner’s stablemate Illinois, 25/1 for derby delight, was a close-up third under Ryan Moore after being sent off the 19/10 joint-favourite alongside Islandsinthestream.
“He’s a very big horse and you would imagine he’s going to be a better horse next year,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien of the Camelot colt on Sky Sports Racing.
“We felt the experience would do him good here and Christophe said he picked up very well.
“He said he wasn’t changing his legs throughout the race, so that’s why he was a little bit worried, so obviously he’s very babyish. But he said when he did get him to change his legs, he really picked up for him.
“I’d say Joseph’s horse is a good colt and Ryan’s horse has run a stormer as well, so they are obviously good colts. I asked Christophe how good could he be and he said he could be a Classic horse, so it’s something to look forward to.
“He said he could get a mile and a half, so that’s good. He’d only had one run before this, so it’s all very promising and good experience.”
City Of Troy remains the clear favourite in the Epsom Derby 2024 betting odds, with Diego Velazquez and Henry Longfellow the same price as Ancient Wisdom.
Epsom Derby 2024 betting odds
5/2 City Of Troy
8/1 Ancient Wisdom, Diego Velazquez, Henry Longfellow
12/1 Arabian Crown
16/1 Ghostwriter
20/1 Los Angeles
25/1 Illinois
33/1 By The Book, Capulet, Grosvenor Square
All odds and market correct at date of publication
