Epsom's Cazoo Derby Gallops Morning key to Eydon decision ahead of Classic
By Molly Hunter
10:26 Ā· WED May 18, 2022
Eydon will test his aptitude for Epsom during the Cazoo Derby Gallops Morning before connections decide between a tilt at either the English or the French Derby.
The three-year-old began his campaign with a Listed success in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket, a six-runner affair in which he defied odds of 22-1 to register an impressive victory under David Egan.
A return to the Rowley Mile for the 2000 Guineas followed, with Roger Varianās Olden Times colt again outperforming the market estimation of his chances when coming home fourth behind Coroebus at 33/1.
Both the French and English Derbys came under consideration after Eydonās excellent Guineas run and a final decision will be made by owner Prince Faisal after the colt undertakes a piece of work on the unique undulations of the Epsom Downs.
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Ted Voute, racing manager to Prince Faisal, said: āHeāll go on Monday (May 23) to Epsom and have a little piece of work down the hill and around the turn and into the straight.
āWeāll see how he handles the bend and the camber and then the Prince will have a think about what he wants to do after seeing how balanced he is.ā
The decision to run the bay in both the Feilden and the Guineas was ultimately made by his owner, who bred Eydon and knows the bloodline well having owned several generations of the family.
āThey were really good calls, I have no idea which way he will go now,ā said Voute.
āI think, looking at things, the French Derby has more pace in it and is possibly a little stronger, and the (Epsom) Derby is perhaps a little slower.
āItāll be a difficult call but the Prince will make it and he hasnāt made many bad calls.ā
David Egan and Mishriff after blowing the York field apart
Another high-profile horse seen in Prince Faisalās silks is globetrotting star Mishriff, who won the French Derby, known as the Prix du Jockey Club, for trainer John Gosden in 2020.
The five-year-old disappointed when last seen bidding for back-to-back wins on the Saudi Cup and connections are hoping he can bounce back in the Prince of Walesās Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Voute added: āI said to the Prince the other day that heād already won the French Derby and he said āoh well, I donāt mind winning it twice!ā
āAscot is where weāre heading. Weāre just waiting to see whether weāll be ready for then, but itās pretty much the same agenda as last year and weāll just take it one race at a time."
As a middle-distance performer, Mishriff is likely to cross paths with William Haggasā all-conquering Baaeed at some stage, a challenge Voute accepts must be accepted to cement the horseās place in the division.
He said: āIām not sure I really want to take on Baaeed, but if weāre going to be a champion then weāve got to.ā
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