Epsom Derby

This years Derby will be the richest race ever run in Brittain after the 4 horses supplemented boosts the prize pool by £300 000


DANTE STAKES winner Wings Of Desire was one of four horses supplemented for Saturday's Investec Derby on Monday, as 18 colts remain engaged in what is one of the most open Classics in years.

The 9-2 second favourite was added to the field along with Red Verdon, Cloth Of Stars and Humphrey Bogart, at a cost of £75,000 each.

With the supplementary fees helping contribute to the prize-money, a total fund of £1,545,000 will be on offer, making this year's Derby the richest race ever run in Britain.

If all the remaining Derby contenders stand their ground it will be the first time since 2006 that 18 runners line up for the race, which was won a decade ago by Sir Percy.

Strong O'Brien team

Aidan O'Brien still has seven runners to potentially whittle down, with The Gurkha as expected taken out.

US Army Ranger heads O'Brien's remaining entries, with Beacon Rock, Bravery, Deauville, Idaho, Port Douglas and Shogun completing his squad.

The ground was described as good, good to firm in places on Monday, but rain is forecast in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Palmer relishing Gurkha clash

O'Brien confirmed on Sunday The Gurkha would be heading to Royal Ascot for the St James's Palace Stakes, and the French 2,000 Guineas winner could meet the British and Irish 2,000 Guineas winners in what would be a crackerjack clash.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Newmarket Classic winner Galileo Gold, told At The Races on Monday: "He's a very good Group 1 winner and racing is going to be the winner when three Guineas winners turn up in the St James's Palace. It's a very exciting prospect for a racing fan.

"I think I would possibly fear The Gurkha more than Awtaad as he produced his Guineas win on quicker ground."

Big money here and could be a big price winner this year
Investec doing a wonderful job since they came on board

Wide open race this year coupled with the fact it`s run at Epsom(punters graveyard)

Bonski out to impress the sponsors

Is Rouvaun calling the coronation again this year ?

Yes he is calling one on Friday and on Saturday,left CT yesterday, good luck to him, he deserves to call a big meeting like that.

Thanks Savas

I think I fancy a little bit of Ulysses

Sportingbet

RYAN MOORE will partner market drifter US Army Ranger in the Investec Derby, trainer Aidan O'Brien-trained revealed to the Racing Post on Wednesday evening.

Coolmore's retained rider, who has won the Derby on Workforce and Ruler Of The World, will team up with Chester Vase winner US Army Ranger despite that colt's odds having been pushed out to 11-2 at the same time stablemate Deauville was forced into a general 8-1.

The mount on Deauville has gone to Jamie Spencer, the first-choice jockey for horses owned in Britain by Fitri Hay, who shares the colt with the Coolmore partners.

Idaho will be ridden by Seamie Heffernan, with Colm O'Donoghue on Port Douglas. The trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien will have his first Derby ride on Shogun.

The master of Ballydoyle, who also revealed Moore will be on Bravery in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club, in which Black Sea could also line up, added: "A decision about Beacon Rock being declared for the Derby will be made in the morning. He may wait for the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot."

Very much on course for the Derby is Kirsten Rausing's Goodwood winner Algometer, whose trainer David Simcock said on Wednesday night: "Kirsten has decided she is very keen to run. I'm desperate to run as well because he's in tremendous order and it's a very open year. He'll also be comfortable on the ground. Jim Crowley will ride."

Bonski gets Mike Catermole's Derby View

I am going with Moore

Dave Scott wrote: I am going with Moore

:ohmy:.. And what has MRS Scott have to say about that??...and I hope it is Demi rather than Ryan...