Except for an unknown package, it seems to be a question of whether you ignore the favourite’s Guineas flop. There seems to be a bit of money going on him and he’s less than 4’s on the exchange market so City of Troy is my choice. I notice the race is off at 4.30 which is later than norm … or is it ? Also, didn’t it used to be on a Wednesday in the Nineties ? Sorry I mean 3’s
4.30 is the usual time these days, x11. It was run at 1.30 last year to avoid a clash with the FA Cup Final (ITV had both rights). You are right that back in the day it was traditionally run on a Wednesday (barring wartime) but it switched to a Saturday date in 1995. As for today's edition, I'm inclined to agree with you. If City Of Troy returns to anything like his two-year-old form he wins for me. It's worth noting that last year, Auguste Rodin was actually beaten further than City Of Troy in the 2,000 Guineas, but came back to redeem his reputation in the Derby. The reports from Ballydoyle seem to have been positive. Ryan Moore has stayed faithful to the colt despite Aidan fielding another unbeaten candidate. He is also noticeably strong in the betting. Take the favourite out and I think this looks one of the lesser runnings. The Godolphin challenger Ancient Wisdom looked a slowboat at York, and the Dante winner there doesn't take part today. So while he arguably doesn't represent phenomenal value, I make City Of Troy the likeliest winner.
God’s Window (Jockey: Kieran Shoemark; Trainer: John & Thady Gosden; Cayton Park Stud) 50/1 Won a three-horse novice stakes at Nottingham last year but has not cut any ice in two trials this season; fourth of four in the Dee Stakes, fifth of seven in the Dante 10 lengths behind the winner Economics. Looks bred to be better over further but that is clutching at straws and he really needs an act of his namesake if he is to trouble the judge in the Derby.
Ten Derby winners for Aidan. One more than Lester rode. And three more than his namesake Vincent trained. The man is a genius. But moreover, he is modest, courteous and self -effacing. He is perhaps my greatest sporting hero. Sure, he gets good material to train, but plenty can go wrong. Aidan accepts his failures but has a laser-like attention to detail. It's wise advice to forgive one of his charges one bad run. Aside from the Derby, there was another unfortunate incident with a horse coming to grief in an earlier race. No doubt the animal rights brigade will make their voice heard. They never seem to realise that these horses are bred to do nothing but race, and without racing they would not be brought into being. Throughout their life they live a cosseted existence, and to call out cruelty when these creatures are doing nothing more than they would do in the wild reflects great disrespect to those who so lovingly care for them. Lastly, it's right to acknowledge a masterful ride from Ryan Moore. From a very difficult draw he preserved a reasonable position from which to mount his challenge in the straight. When he rides a fancied one that meets trouble in running he accepts the situation, adopting the attitude that that is racing, and bad luck can arise. But he never panics, and more often gives his horses the best possible chance to win. That was seen par excellence today, when City Of Troy's progress up the straight was majestic. The best horse won, and possibly by a margin that didn't fully reflect his superiority. He rode a similarly brilliant race on Luxembourg in the Group One Coronation Cup yesterday. That horse was ridden more from the front, which reflects Ryan's versatility. He is the best jockey riding today by some margin. All in all, a brilliant Derby Day, and a performance that will live in the memory.
When City of Troy hit the front Ambiente Friendly was still going better but crucially Ryan Moore used the loose horse to galvanised City of Troy and keep it concentrating.
I tend to think Ryan was more concerned with avoiding being hampered by the loose horse. I don't think I'd agree that Ambiente Friendly was in any way unlucky. For the winner, Timeform report: "rapid headway 3f out, led over 2f out, in command soon after, kept on well inside final 1f, had plenty in hand." For Ambiente Friendly, they say: "every chance over 2f out, shaken up, left behind by winner, kept on well final 1f, made no impression." That said, I still think Ambiente Friendly ran a fine race. On another point, I think that Aidan O'Brien should receive an honorary knighthood for his outstanding achievement in training ten Derby winners. I doubt his record will be equalled, and conducts himself with exemplary grace, courtesy and modesty, win or lose.
I agree with you when I back one of his and it wins. When I've backed one of his which loses he can bollux. Deserves prison or guillotine
Probably the finest Trainer of all time, though I’m not sure he would consider a honorary knighthood from the British much of an honour
