Mike Cattermole looks ahead to an intriguing Investec Derby and settles on Cliffs Of Moher as the most likely winner of the Classic.
When a tip-top stable, such as Aidan O’Brien’s, sends out six horses to contest the Investec Derby, or five in John Gosden’s case, what does this tell you?
That it is too early to say whether there are some true stars among them? Or might it be that they can’t all be good and therefore you’d be better looking elsewhere?
The second theory seemed to fit when O’Brien saddled eight in 2007, with Eagle Mountain doing best in second place, and six in 2009 when Fame And Glory was also runner-up.
However, of his quintet in 2013, Ruler Of The World grabbed the glory to come out on top in what looked as open a race as this year’s 19-strong renewal.
Since 1998, Aidan has had a staggering 66 runners in the Derby and won it five times and I reckon another blanket attack will lead to his sixth success with Cliffs Of Moher.
Cliffs Of Moher looked to have star potential when thrashing Orderofthegarter by five lengths on yielding ground at Leopardstown last October and we didn’t see him again until he landed the Dee Stakes on good to firm at Chester. That was in spite of fears that he would need the run as he was said to be a bit slower to come to hand than other stablemates.
Ryan Moore, who has chosen to maintain the partnership, was pushing away four furlongs out at Chester but there was a lot to like about Cliffs Of Moher’s response as he kept finding and finding and was ultimately well on top at the line.
His dam, Wave, was third in the French Oaks over the extended 10f and the feeling is that this Galileo colt is going to take a huge step forward from Chester and also as he goes up in trip.
Venice Beach was having his third start of the year when beating reappearing stablemate Wings Of Eagles in the Chester Vase but they look more like St Leger prospects to these eyes.
I can’t see Capri, Douglas Macarthur or The Anvil being good enough.
Bay Of Poets, beaten a length and a half by the selection in the Dee, had been beaten a similar margin by Cracksman and Permian in the Derby Trial on this track in April and it is an intriguing form line which suggests that there isn’t much between some of the principals – on what they have done so far.
Cracksman quickened up well to nail Permian on the line but he missed the Dante, won in good style by Permian, which would have told us a lot.
You get the impression, from Team Gosden, that they are not dealing with another Golden Horn here and I am far from convinced that Cracksman, a son of Frankel out of a dam who won at a mile, will be suited by the trip, although he did finish off well here over the 10f. He does look to have tremendous potential, however, and the easy win of Enable in the Oaks is one big boost!
Permian is most likeable and has not stopped improving since being beaten off a mark of 100 in a Bath handicap in April. By Teofilo, out of a dam who won at 9f, he is also no guarantee to shine at the trip but showed a good turn of foot and a great attitude at York and I reckon he is going to hit the frame.
He should have little to fear from Khalidi, well behind him at Newmarket but an impressive winner since.
Of the other Gosden runners, Crowned Eagle has to find plenty while Pealer accompanied Cracksman on Breakfast with the Stars morning when tenderly ridden. He had won a Southwell maiden by 19 lengths. Glencadam Glory is clearly very talented but a bit of an oddball as he keeps blowing the start, big time.
His effort to get second behind Best Solution in the Lingfield Derby Trial after giving away around 10 lengths was most creditable.
Best Solution may have been a dud on the dirt but his turf form is not bad at all and he stays really well for a son of Kodiac. He should acquit himself well.
So, what about Eminent? I backed him for the Derby before he ran in the 2,000 Guineas as his pedigree looks a stouter one than Cracksman’s. His sixth was a little disappointing to me and hopes now rest on his being suited by the trip.
Benbatl was two lengths third to him in the Craven and the Godolphin colt was beaten three quarters of a length by Permian in the Dante.
Finally, Dubai Thunder could not have made a better impression when scooting home by 10 lengths on his debut on soft ground at Newbury but he did show signs of inexperience beforehand so will this come too soon for the son of Farrh?
Andrew Balding has won the Investec Diomed Stakes twice in the past five years and is taken to win it again with Here Comes When – if the rain has eased the ground a touch, as that is the key to him.
He came back to his best to take the highly competitive Hambleton Handicap at York last month (form has been franked) and he was a Group Two winner earlier in his career. This is a very tight renewal, however.
Caspian Prince’s attempt to win the Investec Dash for the third time in four years has been given a hefty blow with a draw in stall one. Boom The Groom was undone by a similar draw last year but still ran nicely in seventh and was third the year before.
Drawn nicely again, he should go well but preference is still for Desert Law who won it in 2015 and looked right back to his best at Musselburgh last time. He is well handicapped on his best form.
Selections
2.00 HAJAJ, 2.35 LAUGH ALOUD, 3.10 HERE COMES WHEN, 3.45 DESERT LAW, 4.30 1. CLIFFS OF MOHER, 2. PERMIAN, 3. CRACKSMAN, 4. BEST SOLUTION, 5.15 GAWDAWPALIN, 5.50 CLEAR SPRING
