02-jun-2012
CAMELOT CAN CLAIM CLASSIC CROWN
Astrology
Came up short in a Group Two and a Group Three following a winning debut as a juvenile but this well bred individual proved that he had developed over the winter when demolishing the opposition on testing ground in the Dee Stakes. That race lacked depth (runner-up runs in the opening handicap on the card) but he did all that was required of him and is no back number.
Bonfire
Impressive winner of a Salisbury maiden that has worked out well who looked unlucky not to win a French Group One on his second start when meeting trouble in running. Could be said to be closely matched with Camelot on a line through the winner of that race and has since won the Dante Stakes which has been the most relevant Derby trial in recent years. Played up before that contest which has raised a few eyebrows - although not those of his connections - and not conclusively certain to be suited by this longer trip on paper.
Camelot
Made an immediate impression on his connections from the moment he arrived at Ballydoyle with reports of breathtaking homework and duly brushed the opposition aside on his racecourse bow. A stunning winner of the Racing Post Trophy, a race that has thrown up three of the last 10 Derby winners, he was visually less impressive when winning the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. However, he did well to pick up from off the pace on testing ground to win a shade cosily and is widely expected to have derived considerable benefit from that outing while he's bred to come into his own over this distance.
Cavaleiro
A son of his trainer's 2006 Derby hero Sir Percy, he has his work cut out on the level of form he's achieved thus far if he's to emulate his sire. Took four attempts to get off the mark but then took a big step forwards to win a traditionally decent conditions event that his handler tends to target with his best juveniles. Not disgraced on his return when six lengths behind Main Sequence when shaping as though a stiffer test would suit and he should get that here.
Main Sequence
Belied his 50-1 starting price on debut and has progressed with each subsequent outing, taking his winning run to four in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time. Landed two handicaps en route to that Group Three win which is a highly unusual path for a Derby winner to take but has gone about his work in good style (despite flashing his tail) and his trainer knows what it takes to go close in a Classic.
Mickdaam
The most experienced in this field with nine starts under his belt already, sixth of which have come this calendar year which he kicked off at Meydan in January. Put himself in the frame for a tilt at this prize with a game display in the Chester Vase and connections believe that he'll be better suited by the quicker conditions that he'll encounter here. That may be so but he'll need to raise his game in order to trouble the main
protagonists.
Minimise Risk
Made his debut over 10 furlongs in March but this 410,000 guineas yearling purchase is bred to come into his own over further and duly opened his account over a furlong further at Newbury. Failed to run his race in the Chester Vase next time where it's possible that neither the ground nor the track were to his liking. May be better suited by underfoot conditions here but has a vast amount to found in order to be competitive.
Rugged Cross
Caught the eye in a Newbury maiden in mid-summer last year and duly fulfilled that promise the following month at York. Proved that he had trained on over the winter with a close-up defeat behind Thought Worthy at Newmarket and is entitled to come on for the run. Promises to be suited by this step up in trip but will have to have made rapid strides in a short space of time if he's to claim the main prize.
Thought Worthy
October maiden winner who led his group home on his reappearance in testing ground at Sandown when playing second fiddle to Camelot's stablemate and Sunday's French Derby contender Imperial Monarch. Showed himself to be tactically versatile and in possession of a good attitude when winning at Newmarket in the style of a horse who'll be suited by this longer trip as befits a full brother to St Leger winner Lucarno and no surprise to see him go well.
CAMELOT CAN CLAIM CLASSIC CROWNAstrology
Came up short in a Group Two and a Group Three following a winning debut as a juvenile but this well bred individual proved that he had developed over the winter when demolishing the opposition on testing ground in the Dee Stakes. That race lacked depth (runner-up runs in the opening handicap on the card) but he did all that was required of him and is no back number.
Bonfire
Impressive winner of a Salisbury maiden that has worked out well who looked unlucky not to win a French Group One on his second start when meeting trouble in running. Could be said to be closely matched with Camelot on a line through the winner of that race and has since won the Dante Stakes which has been the most relevant Derby trial in recent years. Played up before that contest which has raised a few eyebrows - although not those of his connections - and not conclusively certain to be suited by this longer trip on paper.
Camelot
Made an immediate impression on his connections from the moment he arrived at Ballydoyle with reports of breathtaking homework and duly brushed the opposition aside on his racecourse bow. A stunning winner of the Racing Post Trophy, a race that has thrown up three of the last 10 Derby winners, he was visually less impressive when winning the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. However, he did well to pick up from off the pace on testing ground to win a shade cosily and is widely expected to have derived considerable benefit from that outing while he's bred to come into his own over this distance.
Cavaleiro
A son of his trainer's 2006 Derby hero Sir Percy, he has his work cut out on the level of form he's achieved thus far if he's to emulate his sire. Took four attempts to get off the mark but then took a big step forwards to win a traditionally decent conditions event that his handler tends to target with his best juveniles. Not disgraced on his return when six lengths behind Main Sequence when shaping as though a stiffer test would suit and he should get that here.
Main Sequence
Belied his 50-1 starting price on debut and has progressed with each subsequent outing, taking his winning run to four in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time. Landed two handicaps en route to that Group Three win which is a highly unusual path for a Derby winner to take but has gone about his work in good style (despite flashing his tail) and his trainer knows what it takes to go close in a Classic.
Mickdaam
The most experienced in this field with nine starts under his belt already, sixth of which have come this calendar year which he kicked off at Meydan in January. Put himself in the frame for a tilt at this prize with a game display in the Chester Vase and connections believe that he'll be better suited by the quicker conditions that he'll encounter here. That may be so but he'll need to raise his game in order to trouble the main
protagonists.
Minimise Risk
Made his debut over 10 furlongs in March but this 410,000 guineas yearling purchase is bred to come into his own over further and duly opened his account over a furlong further at Newbury. Failed to run his race in the Chester Vase next time where it's possible that neither the ground nor the track were to his liking. May be better suited by underfoot conditions here but has a vast amount to found in order to be competitive.
Rugged Cross
Caught the eye in a Newbury maiden in mid-summer last year and duly fulfilled that promise the following month at York. Proved that he had trained on over the winter with a close-up defeat behind Thought Worthy at Newmarket and is entitled to come on for the run. Promises to be suited by this step up in trip but will have to have made rapid strides in a short space of time if he's to claim the main prize.
Thought Worthy
October maiden winner who led his group home on his reappearance in testing ground at Sandown when playing second fiddle to Camelot's stablemate and Sunday's French Derby contender Imperial Monarch. Showed himself to be tactically versatile and in possession of a good attitude when winning at Newmarket in the style of a horse who'll be suited by this longer trip as befits a full brother to St Leger winner Lucarno and no surprise to see him go well.
