Your indispensable horse-by-horse guide to the 2015 Investec Derby
Carbon Dating
Hasn’t won in four outings or got closer than 12 lengths to a winner. Finished flat last of 11 behind Gleneagles when priced at 150/1 in the Irish Guineas. He’s 250/1 this time and, to be blunt, has no chance, even if the rain stays away. A nice day out for connections but considered the real rag in the field.
Elm Park
Landed the Group One Racing Post Trophy in style last October and ran well on his reappearance in the Dante, before looking all over the place on a recent work-out at this track. He’ll definitely stay the trip, but his trainer needs to do a rain dance if he’s to stand any chance.
Epicuris
Son of Arc winner Rail Link who triumphed in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud last November for his top class French handler. Has had problems with the stalls, preventing a run in the French Derby. Lively outsider, yet still has to prove that he’s trained on.
Giovanni Canaletto
The subject of significant support this week and ridden by Ryan Moore. Respected on both counts as a result. However, currently priced on potential rather than what he’s achieved on the track, as was beaten on his comeback and has had an interrupted preparation.
Golden Horn
Aiming to give John Gosden a second Investec Derby after a hugely impressive win in the Dante last month. He wasn’t stopping at the finish that day, but there are some serious stamina doubts from his pedigree. Frankie Dettori rides and should win if he stays.
Hans Holbein
Won the Chester Vase last time out which was the same route as Coolmore’s 2013 Derby winner Ruler Of The World. A guaranteed stayer, unlike some of these, so Seamie Heffernan will be sure to make it a test. Not without a chance and could make the frame.
Jack Hobbs
Clearly very talented and demolished his rivals in a handicap at Sandown back in April. Ran well to finish second to Golden Horn in the Dante where he just looked a little green and inexperienced. Worked well here last month and no stamina issues so a massive player.
Kilimanjaro
Took the somewhat unfashionable Lingfield Derby Trial last time where he beat a useful yardstick in Christophermarlowe. Prior to that he broke his maiden tag at Dundalk on his reappearance. Interesting that Joseph O’Brien has picked him over Hans Holbein.
Moheet
Ran fairly well in the 2,000 Guineas considering his lack of experience. Trainer Richard Hannon would love to win the Derby, but unlikely to break his duck with this one. Not a bad horse and should get better as the season goes on, although today probably won’t be his day.
Rogue Runner
Qatar Racing’s second string and trained by German master Andreas Wohler. As history tells us, you should never write off the Germans. But on this occasion we might just get away with it. Won his first two starts before disappointing in a Group Three last time out.
Storm The Stars
Finished second to Hans Holbein at Chester and then claimed the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago. His sire Sea The Stars won this race, but his progeny has plenty more to prove. It would be a big shock if he was good enough in this company.
Success Days
Put the much-hyped John F Kennedy in his place when running out a commanding winner of the Ballysax Stakes before then taking the Derrinstown Derby Trial. Has been supplemented for this, but he really needs the heavens to open to have any chance of winning.
Bill Esdaile’s 1-2-3 1. Jack Hobbs 2. Golden Horn 3. Giovanni Canaletto
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