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Breakfast with the Stars

May 26th, 2015 | Marten's Current Racing Diary

Epsom’s ‘Breakfast with the Stars’ proved informative this morning.

I am not a great judge of work, but to my eyes Elm Park looked the least well-suited to Epsom’s gradients, which is a surprise given his relatively compact physique. The son of Phoenix Reach changed his legs on the descent down Tattenham Corner and also looked unbalanced in the straight. I thought Jack Hobbs acted well given his size – better than many would have expected – and John Gosden confirmed that the colt will run in the Derby provided the ground is not too quick. Frankie Dettori took the mount on Golden Horn, who looked very comfortable in his piece of work. Gosden commented afterwards on the colt’s calm demeanour and temperament.

Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley said that Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Found was still in contention for the Derby but that Gleneagles was unlikely to run. Perhaps the most impressive work of the morning was done by Andre Fabre’s Oaks contender Al Naamah, who quickened nicely to pull clear inside the final furlong. My concern with her is that her dam is by Green Desert, raising doubts about her staying the mile and a half.

I was very pleased to read today that Jack Naylor, who caught the eye with her strong finishing effort in the 1,000 Guineas, will be running in the Oaks. I have had her on my shortlist for the race since writing the Dark Horses in the winter. Sir Michael Stoute confirmed that Crystal Zvezda also runs, although Ryan Moore is likely to stay with 1,000 Guineas winner Legatissimo.

The Derby market remains a little wobbly, with Golden Horn now a top price of 7/4. Zawraq is 5/1, followed by Elm Park and Jack Hobbs at 7s. Epicuris is the best backed outsisder at 25/1 following his redirection from the French Derby.

I am still gathering together my thoughts on the Epsom Classics, but I am relieved that a couple of my long-priced outsiders for the Oaks should be lining up.

Bye for now.

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