Epsom Derby [Saturday]
Dawn Approach - shorter odds than he was for the 2000 guineas over a trip where there is certainly more doubts, tbh you have to be bonkers to back him at current odds, 3/1+ would be more realistic.
Battle of Marengo - he has won his last 5 starts, it was a messy Derrinstown trial but he won it exactly like a 12f horse tackling a 10f race.. he beat Sugar Boy in the Ballysax, SB won well next time out at Sandown in the classic trial with Libertarian trailing 9 lengths back, that makes Libs subsequent Dante win look a bit iffy imho...
Ocovango - the Prix Greffulhe win beating Bravodino looks up to par as does his previous win in the Prix Mathet over Park Reel who went on to lose by a short head to [coolmoor owned] Tableaux in the Prix Hocquart.. its interesting that Tableaux swerves the Epsom Derby..
Chopin - won the Ehrmann cup by 8 lengths, tough to compare to the traditional Derby trials but he didn"t beat a lot imo, Global Bang isn"t a world beater...
Ruler of the World - Chester Vase winner by 6 lengths in a good time, he handled Chester well which is another positive and beautifully bred out of the Kingmambo mare Love Me True, another positive..
of the rest - Mars - i pegged him as a Derby horse before the 2000g and is a live outsider imo.. Libertarian looks all stamina and will be more interesting if he"s aimed at the St. Ledger.. Festive Cheer - has a bit a find with Ocovango based on his lto in the Prix Hocquart but he"s bred by Montjeu who"s progeny have a good strike rate in the Derby and they do tend to progress well so he has each way claims at a juicy price..
My 1-2-3-4
1 -
Ocovango 1 point win @ 7/1 [5/1+ ok]
2 -
Ruler of the World 1 point win @ 10/1 [13/2+ ok]
3 - Battle of Marengo
4 - Festive Cheer
It was such a slow 2000 Guineas this year and Dawn Approach"s win was flattered a bit imo and the the slow"ish pace over the first 5 furlongs caught a few flat footed, the proximity of Glory Awaits who raced handily and stole a march on the rest behind should set alarm bells ringing.. Add in the extra 4 furlongs, breeding and the equinome test in which Dawn Approach tested CC [Mr Bolger"s behind Equinome] makes this a must back against Dawn Approach imo...
http://www.equinome.com/[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BLDszCrwCFE[/youtube]