It’s less than a week before the much-anticipated Epsom Derby takes place but the trends fail to illustrate who the principal players are.
Several horses, led by Gleneagles, Golden Horn, Zawraq, Jack Hobbs and Elm Park, have vied for favouritism, but the markets have not been committed to any one horse with the exception of Gleneagles.
The outstanding dual Guineas winner remains in the mix despite clear indications from his connections that he will not be risked over a distance longer than his favoured mile.
Perhaps, they might have an eleventh-hour change of heart and throw caution to the wind, but that seems unlikely.
So in the absence of an establish star the mantle of favouritism for the English showpiece has fallen on John Gosden’s unbeaten Dante (G2) hero Golden Horn who has been described as a genuine Derby horse. And the wise men who run the betting markets are convinced he is a horse capable of overcoming Epsom’s idiosyncrasies.
His stable companion Jack Hobbs is also attracting a lot of attention, not only because he shares his moniker with one of the greatest cricketers, but also because he was recently acquired by Team Godolphin. It is no secret that the globe-trotting stable are looking to raise their brand profile and a victory in England’s most famous race will go a long way in helping them accomplish that goal.
Godolphin’s principal handler Saeed Bin Surour has often told me that if there is one race that he would love to win again, it was the Derby. And although he does not train Jack Hobbs, but instead is likely to saddle 100/1 chance Best Of Times, a Derby victory is a victory for Team Godolphin at the end of the day. And that will please him more than anything else, having been a mainstay of the popular outfit for over 20 years.
However, their remains a question mark on Jack’s participation on Saturday, with the prudent Gosden warning that he will only run provided the ground at the Epsom Downs is not fast.
Although this criteria is relevant to most of the intended runners, Irish handler Dermot Weld is relishing the prospect of giving Zawraq a shot at a race that sits at the pinnacle of flat racing.
Unbeaten in two starts, the lightly raced son of Shamardal is held in high regard by his handler who is looking for a first English Classic since he saddled Godolphin’s Refuse to Bend to win the 2,000 Guineas in 2003.
Like his peers, Weld has overseen the training of enough good horses to known what it takes to win a big race.
We’ll know in a few days time if he does indeed win it.