News from Investec Derby Day 2017 at Epsom

Caspian Prince won the Investec Corporate Banking Dash for a third time and for his third different trainer.

The front-running eight-year-old was drawn widest of all in stall one, but as ever he was away quickly under Tom Eaves and was soon at the head of affairs.

He had a break on the field in the final 100 yards and looked home and hosed, only for Duke Of Firenze, another former winner, and Dark Shot to launch late challenges.

The three flashed past together, with Caspian Prince (25/1) adding Tony Coyle's name to the roll of honour alongside Tony Carroll and Dean Ivory, who had previously trained him to victory in this valuable contest.

Dark Shot, last at halfway, was a short-head second, with Duke Of Firenze just a nose away in third.

Owner Stephen Louch said: "What a story, triple Dash! I can't believe it today, I wasn't expecting it, I really wasn't."

Eaves said: "This lad knows more about this place than me. The team have done a great job."

Coyle said: "It feels great, he loves this place. I've only had him six weeks and he knows this place better than most of us. I know changing yards doesn't impress everyone, but it just helps freshen him up.

"I know he had a negative draw today, but with his style of running I knew he would get to where he wanted to be, as he is so quick. He barely gets five furlongs and the downhill in the first furlong just helps him get home.

"In the stalls he was so settled and he barely turned a hair in the parade ring, but if you take him to Musselburgh or Beverley you can't keep the lid on him for some reason. He will go to Musselbugh in a couple of weeks, all being well."

Drochaid just held off the late lunge of Emenem to win the Investec Private Banking Handicap.

Andrew Balding's three-year-old has been in consistent form and was following up a win at Chelmsford last time out.

In a typically messy Epsom handicap, Franny Norton dived for the rail on Emenem, causing Aaron Jones on Hajaj to snatch up as Emenem made strong late progress.

A confident-looking Oisin Murphy may have got a fright as eventually Emenem closed to within a neck of Drochaid (11/2), with Desert Skyline another length back in third.

Norton was found guilty of careless riding aboard Emenem and suspended for seven days. 

Murphy said: "He'd not as much experience as the others, but he travelled well and won easily.

"I think he is a horse who could take another step up when he goes up in trip."

Balding said: "It was a really good effort, we'll have to have a think now. You'd hope he'd go on and improve.

"To be honest we were confident he would see the trip out well. Oisin had him in the right place. I am delighted and he is an improving horse.

"He tends to do that (be a bit keen), but he is a tough horse that always keeps finding. He is going in the right direction and there might be more to come.

"We are working through the grades and we might have a look at a valuable mile-and-a-quarter handicap at the July meeting at Newmarket."

Balding also looked back at Horseplay's fourth-placed finish in the Oaks on Friday.

Speaking to Racing UK, he said: "Initially I was a little bit disappointed, but on reflection I think she ran a good race.

"We'll be looking at Group races for the rest of the season and maybe even the St Leger."

Simon Dow, who trains at Clear Height Stables on Epsom Downs, was in a reflective mood following Emenem's effort.

"It's disappointing but it's a wonderful day's racing," said Dow.

"He's run a smashing race and we're highly delighted. Franny said he couldn't quite get around Frankie (Dettori - on board Tartini) at the time he needed to.

"Franny did say that he picked up better when he got up the inside but it was probably a bit too late then.

"Emenem is in the form of his life and is still on the upgrade. There's definitely more to come from this fellow. In terms of the future, we'll see. I'd hope the handicapper will leave him around 83 or 84 and, if he does, we'll take a view from there."

Fran Berry said of third home Desert Skyline: "He was quite slowly away from the gates and this is probably going to be his minimum trip. However, he stayed on really well in the closing stages, so it was a good run."

Soldier In Action was a game winner of the Investec Out Of The Ordinary Handicap to give James Doyle a double on the day.

Mark Johnston's runner had been hurdling for Nicky Henderson in the winter and finished last in the Triumph Hurdle.

Second in the early stages behind stablemate Sennockian Star, the 12/1 chance kicked clear before having to fend off Eddystone Rock close home to win by two lengths.

Johnston said: "He's been out of form a bit but he went jumping, after one good run he lost a lot of weight and it's taken time to get him back.

"He had a very hard race at Cheltenham and Nicky was a bit embarrassed sending him back given how much weight he's lost. He was very good last year and it was worth a try to see if he was a Triumph horse."

Reputation (25/1) came late to beat Naggers in the closing Investec Asset Management Handicap to give John Quinn and Jason Hart a winner on Derby day.