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While the Oaks had several runners with floral names although the winner had a geographic name, the Derby features a selection of geographic names.
Broome, Bangkok, Hiroshima, Japan and Norway are all in the field of 13!
Sir Dragonet will start favourite for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. This will be only his third start and the ground will be fast so the 5/2 does not add up to good value. Sir Dragonet was impressive in his two outings but the ground and lack of experience are not in his favour.
Instead we are going for one of the several stablemates in Broome, with Donnacha riding for his father. Broome will appreciate the trip and we have advised the Broome Turf Club whose season starts on the same day to be cheering for him. Now that should help! 9/2 is available, and the same quote for Dante winner Telecaster. Anthony van Dyke is another stablemate with Seamie Heffernan riding and he’s 8/1, and Andrew Balding will saddle Bangkok, who looks talented and is on 9/1 with Silvestre de Sousa on board.
For those followers of omens, the luckiest gate is 10 and this year that goes to Norway!
While the Derby is open to fillies, there are none in this year’s field.
There are two G3s on the undercard, the Princess Elizabeth for f&m 3+ over 1700m will have 8 runners and the Diomed also G3 has 6.