Luke Morris thinks this horse could be the one to watch in Saturday’s Epsom Derby…
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The Investec Derby meeting is one of the most exciting festivals of the whole year and it’s going to be really interesting to see who comes out on top in the Classics.
I don’t have a ride in the Oaks or the Derby this year, which is a shame, but I’ll be watching them as closely as anyone else to see what happens and I’m hoping for wins from Minding and Cloth Of Stars.
Minding is the class act in the Oaks and if she’s in the form of her Guineas win at Newmarket she won’t be beaten. The ground’s not ideal for a filly that has to prove she stays though but her class should see her through. At a price, Harlequeen could run well. She was a bit gassy in the Musidora but I can see her improving on that and hitting a place at a big price.
I do like Cloth Of Stars in the Derby. I saw him win at Saint-Cloud and I thought he looked a gorgeous horse that was going to keep progression as the year went on. In a race lacking a real star I think he could be the one with the x factor.
I’ll be looking to get on the scoreboard at Epsom on Friday while on Saturday I’m heading up to Scotland to ride a couple of unexposed horses for my boss Sir Mark Prescott, which I’m really looking forward to.
Friday
3.10 Epsom – Celestial Path
It was his first start of the year last time in Germany and he probably just needed the run. He’s going into this race in much better shape and he ran well in the Racing Post Trophy on similar ground to what it will be like at Epsom. If he comes back to his best form he’s more than capable but he needs to show a little more. I hope he can run a big race though and I think he’ll go fine on the track as he’s a well-balanced, athletic horse.
3.45 Epsom – Persun
She’s not got a great draw in 11 but she is a course and distance winner and loves to get her toe in. I’d like to think there might be a bit more to come from her even though she’s relatively exposed now. I do tend to think horses down the weights in races like this do not do as well as horses nearer the head of the weights.
5.15 Epsom – Bear Faced
He had a good winter on the all-weather and was probably just a bit flat on his last start after a busy period. He’s a tough, hardy little horse and he’ll run his race for sure. He might just be vulnerable to an improver and I wouldn’t be too certain how he would handle the ground too.
Saturday
2.15 Musselburgh – Ocean Ready
He’s starting off a mark of 71 which I think he will improve on as the year goes on. He’s a lovely, big scopey horse and I really like his chances from the bottom of the weights. He’s drawn in stall 11 which takes some of the enthusiasm. He’s a nice horse though and one I’m looking forward to.
3.25 Musselburgh – St Michel
He runs off a low mark of 69 and I think he’s capable of being bang there off that sort of rating. I think he needed his first run of the season at Leicester and I’d like to think he would run a nice race and grab a bit of prize-money.
4.55 Musselburgh – Hallingham
His Flat form leaves him plenty to find with these but he has been in good form over hurdles. If he can translate some of that jumps form back to the Flat he should be able to run a decent race.
Cheers,
Luke
