Dubai: Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has acknowledged that he is feeling the pressure generated by the extra attention Carlton House has invited ahead of next month's Investec Derby at Epsom.
Owned by Queen Elizabeth II, who is yet to win the blue riband race, the 2/1 favourite was among a star-studded field of 22 colts who stood their ground for the June 24 Epsom showpiece after Thursday's scratching stage.
Although Stoute has won the Derby no less than five times he insists that this year's renewal of the historic race is perhaps more important than any of his previous endeavours.
"You do feel a bit more responsibility with this horse because there is so much expectation from people. He's got a big following, lots of well-wishers and one is aware of the media interest. I'd prefer to be back at home having breakfast but realise you have a responsibility," he said after watching his prospective star perform a routine gallop up Warren Hill in Newmarket.
"It was a satisfying trial at York although it was slowly run and we don't know how good the form is," said Stoute. "Ryan and I were hopeful that he'd win at York and, although the race was a bit inconclusive, we were happy with what he did...it will be his work next Wednesday that will be more an indicator of his wellbeing.
"I don't have any worries about him staying at Epsom, the dam was second in the Lancashire Oaks, and he'd done plenty of left-handed work in preparation for the track.
‘Good stamp'
"We always liked him from the start, he worked well and was a good stamp of a horse. We were worried about the ground for his first race at Salisbury but he did what we hoped he would after that at Newbury. It was late October, but he won by nine lengths and we realised we had a potentially nice horse then."
Carlton House became favourite for the Investec Derby following victory in York's totesport Dante Stakes last week and will bid to win the only British Classic that has eluded the Queen.
Ryan Moore, who will ride the favourite at Epsom was present at the Warren Hill gallops and said: "Carlton House's work had been good in the spring and I expected him to win at York. You just really wanted him to show on the racecourse what he had been showing at home in the morning.
"The trip will be no problem for at Epsom and I think people worry too much about the track there. If a horse has got the pace to travel, they are OK there and he has the pace. He's given us every reason to have confidence in him."
Among the other 21 colts going forward for the premier Classic were eight trained by Ireland's champion trainer, Aidan O'Brien, led by second and third favourites Recital (6/1) and Seville (7/1). There are three potential challengers from France, led by the Andre Fabre-trained Pour Moi and Vadamar, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre for the Aga Khan. John Hammond is represented by Manhaj, who is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Godolphin has left in three, all trained by Mahmoud Al Zarouni, with Ocean War the most likely runner at the moment. The other two are Casamento and Genius Beast.
