Epsom gallops morning: what did we learn?

There was a strong turnout for the Epsom gallops morning on Tuesday ahead of the Betfred Derby Festival, with leading Oaks contender Legacy Link the biggest name on show at the event formerly known as ‘Breakfast With The Stars’.

John Gosden’s attendance was not a surprise. The Clarehaven handler has long been a supporter of The Jockey Club-arranged event. Just over a decade ago, he sent out Taghrooda and Golden Horn to gain experience of the Downs before landing the Premier Classics the following week. Classic-placed Cracksman and Emily Upjohn also stretched their legs at the course. 

Legacy Link, a best-priced 10-3 with the race sponsors for Oaks glory in ten day’s time, impressed her trainer with how she handled the course’s undulations under Colin Keane in company with her year older stablemate Dangerman.

“We thought when she ran well in the Fillies’ Mile last year at Newmarket and she ran on in the last part. We thought if we’ve got an Oaks filly, it’s her. So hopefully we’ll be there on the day,” said Gosden.

“That was good today, perfect and she had a nice look at the place. She went up to the top of the old mile, 110 yards start. She went a half-speed down the hill, got on the correct lead into the straight and picked up well.

“I always pull up a little early at the half-furlong marker because the ground tends to run away from you on the pull-up here. But no, I was very happy with it.”

He continued: “She’s a Musidora winner and she won that well at York. She showed a good attitude and the extra distance seemed to suit her there.

“They started the race a little early that day, Colin was saying that. It started three or four (furlongs) down and at York, that’s a long way to start the race. She finished well and we’ve been pleased with her since.”

Colin Keane, who has strong chances of success in both Epsom Classics next week, added: “She seems to have come out of York really well and she also seems to have handled the track really well there this morning.

“It was nothing too strenuous, she came down the hill nicely, got herself organised and levelled up to the line well without doing anything crazy.

“There’s no doubts she will stay and the distance won’t be an issue. I think this trip is where you are going to see the best of her, whether she handles the track at race pace on the day is another thing, but she seemed to cope with it well this morning.”

Any runner sent down from North Yorkshire for a Classic by the Johnstons’ should be taken seriously.

Last year, Lazy Griff finished a fine second for the yard in the Derby and proved that was no fluke by placing behind Lambourn for the third time in succession in the Irish equivalent.

This year, Charlie Johnston seeks to go one place better in the £1-million showpiece with Ancient Egypt. The Amo Racing-owned colt, who cost 1,100,000gns, is a best-priced 20-1 chance.

“As I said beforehand, we’re not here to find out how good he is that’s for sure, we just felt there was no downside to coming here,” said the Middleham handler.

“He came down last night, stayed overnight in the stables, he’s been and had a wander round the paddock and had a nice swing around the track, so we’ve dotted every I and crossed every T in terms of preparation and it was nice for David (Egan) to get a feel for him again in that sort of environment.

“For a big horse we were hopeful this track shouldn’t hold too many fears given he came down the dip at Newmarket so well and I was very pleased with what we saw there. He came down the hill nicely, switched leads into Tattenham Corner without having to be told to and went through it all nicely – A1.”

He continued: “This is the first serious bit of work he’s done since Newmarket. He’d worked pretty hard in the lead-up to that race, so I didn’t feel we needed to do a huge amount with him between then and now. He’s set and ready to go.

“I could be wrong, but for me the trip is not a question mark. I think he’ll improve for the distance, I’d be confident of that. The question mark is whether he’s good enough and he’s going to have to improve 10lb to 14lb – he’s going into it rated 5lb lower than Lazy Griff last year.

“I think he’ll stay, we’re hopeful he’ll handle the track, he’s a pretty laid-back horse so I think he’ll handle the occasion and the only question mark is whether he’s good enough and we’ll only find that out on the day.”

Johnston was particularly bullish about the chances of 1000 Guineas third Venetian Lace in the Oaks, and said he “wouldn’t swap her for anything” in the race, though he is most fearful of Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Precise, should she line up.

“Until Sunday I thought our filly had the best form in the race of those that were likely to be there. I saw that (Irish 1000 Guineas) live and that frightened me quite a bit so I would hope she doesn’t come, but it looks like she might now,” he said.

“Venetian Lace is a bit the other way round compared to Ancient Egypt in that I’ve got no doubt that she’s good enough – she’s been placed twice at Group One level – but with her the trip is an unknown. Both sides of the pedigree would give you confidence and we’re pretty certain that she’ll stay 10 furlongs, whether she’ll stay 12 or not we’ll find out on the day.

“I didn’t feeling coming here today would be any benefit to her. She’s quite hard on herself, she’s very generous in her races and her work – when she went to the Craven meeting for a racecourse gallop she lost 22 kilos for the trip, so I didn’t fancy doing that 10 days before the Oaks.

“Until Sunday there was nothing in the race that scared me and there is one now, but we’re still very confident.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam may have a first Derby runner this year courtesy of Balzac, who is as big as 150-1 in the market, yet has already ran at Epsom, having finished third in the Blue Riband Trial last month, before filling that same spot in the Lingfield Derby Trial two and a half weeks ago.

By Japan and out of a High Chapparal mare, the Newmarket handler has little doubt that her colt will stay the trip but speaking at Epsom on Tuesday, was realistic about his chances, saying “it’s worth a crack to be finishing in the top six”.

She continued”: “I’m not saying I’m going to win, but I’m here to give it a go for the other part of the race. So, in a funny kind of way, I suppose Silvestre [De Sousa] will ride for a place.

“I bought him as a foal for the race, so so far, so good! He’s still learning, but as a horse to deal with, he’s good mannered. In general, he is a good mover. He has good front legs, so we’re lucky in that sense.

“He followed the lead horse well this morning. He went to the start nicely too and wasn’t keen and pulling. We’re looking forward to it.”

On the Epsom racing surface, Chapple-Hyam added: “The track is in great condition. It’s amazing how much cushion there is, even with the hot weather we have had. If you go and walk the track, you’ll see how good it is, so I’m very pleased.”