INVESTEC DERBY preview and tip

We are very much a jump racing website but as it’s the Derby and to keep you Flat fans entertained here’s a runner by runner guide, form and speed ratings plus tip by Graham Richards. JP

INVESTEC DERBY (Group 1) (Entire Colts & Fillies) (CLASS 1) (3yo) 1m 4f 10y Good

Likeable horse that found Storm the Stars holding all the answers in the Cocked Hat Listed Stakes at Goodwood. Having travelled well, he challenged through the final two-furlongs, finding a turn of foot beyond his capabilities. The extra furlong of this race may help.

Odds-on for last place.

Unbeaten in his juvenile season completing a four-timer in the Racing Post Trophy. Returned to action in the Dante Stakes. Elm Park left the impression in the paddock and race itself, he would come on for the run. Racing a shade freely in the early stages, he kicked on in the home straight. Two-furlongs for home he was challenged by Jack Hobbs and Golden Horn, weakening out of it in the closing stages. Elm Park looks sure to stay a mile and a half; whether he can find enough to turn the form round is open to debate.

Group One winner as a juvenile but surprisingly beaten in the Group Three Prix La Force at Longchamp. Effective on good through to soft ground; stamina (Dam’s side) may prove an issue.

Highly promising colt, touted as one of the stables best middle-distance prospects earlier in the year. His return to action was delayed until a strong finishing second in a Group Three at the Curragh on May 24th. A full-brother to 2013 winner, Ruler of The World there is little doubt the best is yet to come.

Ran out a cosy winner of the Fielden Stakes at Newmarket on his return to action. Paddock watchers felt he had come on for his Newmarket run when reappearing at York for the Dante Stakes. Held up off the pace, he made progress up York’s home straight quickening past Jack Hobbs and Elm Park to win with plenty in hand. The time was good, as it has been on each occasion he has raced. His dam is a half-sister to several decent middle-distance horses while his manner of victory suggested there was plenty in the tank. On the downside, *dosage experts suggest he will struggle to see out the trip.

Confirmed himself as a strong staying type when powering away with the Chester Vase. The form was enhanced when Storm The Stars won at Goodwood. Any rain that falls will aid his cause though he may prove vulnerable to a turn of foot at this level.

Jack Hobbs bolted up in a handicap at Sandown Park in late April. Dispatched to York for the Dante Stakes, he still looked green, hanging up the straight before clicking into gear and running on in the final furlong. A tall colt, he handled the cambers in good style when galloping at the “Breakfast With The Stars” morning. His sire has mile and half Group winners on his C.V with his *dosage figure confirming his stamina. Sure to improve, he may find this coming earlier enough in his career.

Improved from a Dundalk maiden win to land the Lingfield Derby Trial. Held-up, and given a lot to do, he impressed with a late and powerful run in the home straight. The form does not look strong enough as it stands (Favourite ran miles below his best). Handled the downhill turning track and looks sure to stay the trip.

Useful colt that ran on well in the closing stakes of the 2000 Guineas. Breeding on dam’s side (Stayed seven-furlongs) suggests he may struggle to see out a mile and a half.

Useful sort but looks more of a Listed Class performer.

German challenger that will stay. Form thus far, suggests he will be outclassed.

Fast improving colt that ground out a game victory in the Cocked Hat Listed Stakes at Goodwood. Very little between RPR achieved at Goodwood and Hans Holbein’s at Chester. Likely to race close to the pace and may prove a difficult horse to pass in the home straight.

Official rating suggests this chap has improved 25lb this season. Unbeaten in three runs in 2015, his breeding and *dosage figure suggest he will struggle to see out the trip. Improvement has come on soft to heavy ground.

*Dosage Index is a mathematical figure used by breeders of Thoroughbred racehorses, and sometimes handicappers, to quantify a horse’s ability, or inability, to negotiate the various distances at which horse races are run. It is calculated on an analysis of the horse’s pedigree.