Don't think any of the first three look like a derby winner to me. It's wide open. Good luck tonight with squire boys.
Golden Horn won well in the Dante, the only one in the field not entered in the Epsom Derby! But he's entered in the French version so I'll back him if he does run (owner says he's a mile and a quarter horse, doubt he'll be supplemented for Epsom). I simply couldn't back Jack Hobbs as he won a handicap last time out, albeit impressively. Elm Park sure is worth a saver in the Derby if there's cut in the ground. The less said about AOB pair, the better.
I thought all three looked good and I could see any winning the Derby - I think that will be seen as strong form in time to come. I think with the possible exception of the Derrinstown whose form is pretty impossible to evaluate, any of the first three in this Dante would have won any other trial comfortably.
A curious thing would like your opinion on. In the York 3.45 a horse called CORDITE was 25/1 but with insure bet 4 places was 28/1 - clearly an error? I put a tiny stake on just because it's the wrong price. Anyone know how this kinda' thing happens? is it regular occurance?
Who was Nick Luck kidding when he said that the Dante was the most significant Derby trial in recent years? Authorized won both in 2007 and Workforce was beaten and won the Derby in 2010. Since 2007, the 2000 Guineas has produced four Derby winners. Confidence evaporated when I saw that Jim McGrath was tipping both of my selections! Clearly the other jockeys thought that Andrea Atzeni had gone off too quick on Secret Gesture and she never came back to them in the Middleton. According to the owner, the jockey is a genius – they always are when they win. In the Dante, Nafaqa did not settle (again) despite the reasonable pace. Two furlongs out, it looked like Elm Park or Jack Hobbs but then Golden Horn swept through to win. Both the Ballydoyle representatives were very disappointing: John F Kennedy went out like a light and Ol’ Man River never really got into it. I did not think that Elm Park was knocked about once the Gosden duo passed him, so Andrea Atzeni may be rewarded at Epsom. It may be that neither of the first two line up at Epsom as Golden Horn would have to be added to the race and the trainer mentioned Royal Ascot as an alternate for Jack Hobbs. On 6th June I can see Dermot Weld’s Zawraq starting favourite at around 4/1 in a wide open Derby.
Was a little disappointed Jack Hobbs didn't win but looking back at the race, his run was still a very good effort, and he's far from out of it at Epsom. The first 3 where miles clear of some useful markers so you have to say all 3 are very talented. The best horse won the race, but I think Jack Hobbs would have been closer had he had a better draw and wasn't forced to travel 3 wide. Being selfish as I've backed Jack Hobbs for the Derby I'm hoping they don't supplement Golden Horn, but I fear they probably will after that. And that will mean Jack Hobbs will go to Royal Ascot
Giovanni Canaletto looks the only possible threat to Golden Horn but id be surprised considering the preparations, the two he beat today were severely done for gears and wont reverse the form, Zawraq isnt in the same class. This is a very good horse who has taken his performance to another level today and could improve again.
He said: "There's no way Gleneagles will be going to Epsom. We haven't had a horse like him for a long time. He's an out-and-out miler but with more speed than Giant's Causeway." every year!
Superb stuff from Squire. Pulled the head of Rab for the first two and still found plenty in a finish. I had backed it each way so was settling for place money but he toughed that out. Well done stick agus a Don
What an awful Derby this years set to looks to be. Couldn't have today's winner on my mind for it at all, he'll be found out for stamina in my view. The French Derby entry tells me everything I need to know
Squire wins again! Really impressed that he pulled early yet still won, just goes to show he's got a lot more to offer
