Oisin Murphy has a mouthwatering weekend to look forward to with rides aboard Kameko and Deirdre. He talks Oli Bell through both horses' chances at Epsom and Sandown respectively.
He spoke to Oli Bell about the big two and you can watch the full interview below.
QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Kameko steps up to a mile-and-a-half at Epsom and clearly stamina is the big question mark over him heading into the Classic.
"At two when he won the Vertem Futurity at Newcastle I thought he was going to be a mile-and-a-quarter horse," said Murphy.
"Obviously, he show lots of pace at home and on his heart monitor it also tracks the speed and the horse has clocked 44mph so he's very, very fast.
"But Derby horses have to have speed too. I hope he’ll be cantering after going a mile-and-a-quarter and we’ll start getting excited then."
The champion jockey is aware of the dangers lurking on Saturday.
"English King has to be one and I respect the Ballydoyle horses. I’ve galloped English King twice at home and he's a lovely horse. He’s bred to be a Derby contender and has done nothing wrong in his career to date.
"I like Vatican City, I like Serpentine, Pyledriver isn’t regally bred but did nothing wrong at Ascot. It’s an interesting one. John Gosden has put in Worthily but he’s only won a maiden and it’s impossible to know what he’s achieved. It's nice, it's very exciting and the Derby as a rider is the most important race along with the Arc, in my opinion. To have have a live chance in it is huge."
Deidre returns to action as part of a stellar-cast for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park 24 hours later.
Murphy doesn't expect there to be any hiding place on Sunday but hopes the star Japanese mare can pick up the pieces late on.
"On ratings it’s going to be incredible.
"I think we all know how the race is going to be run. Ghaiyyath is going to make the running, Enable will probably sit second, quite close to him, Japan following with myself and Lord North watching on and hoping to run them down late on," he said.
“That last furlong at Sandown is often the slowest, so that’s where I hope I’ll be steaming home."
Responsible gambling
We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.
Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.
