14:45 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 26 April 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:00

Investec Derby Trial (Conditions Race) (Plus 10)

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 2m 10.73s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(8)

Ahlan Bil Zain¹⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 83

33/1

Confirmed debut promise with a win at Newcastle last time out and his performance suggested their would be more to come having been very keen in the early stage. Holds a 2,000 Guineas entry.

Form: 41-

(4)

Bay Of Poets¹⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 101

14/1

Won his maiden in good style at Kempton but has failed to go on from that and finished well beaten on all three subsequent starts in Group races. Will no doubt enjoy this drop in class and yard have started the season in good form but this colt has it all to prove at present.

Form: 61888-3

(2)

Cracksman¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 92

4/6

Frankel colt who won a hot looking maiden at Newmarket in good style, getting the hang of things late on. Form of that race has already been franked with the horse finishing fourth winning twice since. Some other nice types in that affair and this step up in trip looks sure to suit. Very much respected for the 2015 Derby winning connections and holds Dante and Derby entries. Trainer and jockey won this last year with So Mi Dar.

Form: 1-1

(7)

Never Surrender²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 84

20/1

Good second in a maiden at Doncaster on Lincoln day and yard have been in flying form since the start of the season but that level of form isn't the strongest in here; he will need to have improved a great deal for that effort and he's more exposed than some in here.

Form: 8442-25

(6)

Permian¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101

11/2

Won three of his first four starts but struggled a little upped in class. Close third last time in a valuable Class 2 Handicap at Bath and may have won that if he had knuckled down better when asked for his effort. Could still come on for that run and sets a standard on form but very much vulnerable to less exposed types.

Form: 153-321

(1)

Tartini¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Robert Tart| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 93

4/1

Very green on debut at Nottingham and seemingly unfancied (25/1 shot) but stayed on to win in impressive style against what looked like a nice maiden. Given a break since and hood worn on debut is left off, so may have learned plenty from that effort. Trainer couldn't be in better form but Dettori likely to have had the choice and he prefers Cracksman. Entered in the Dante.

Form: 1-4

(3)

Youmkin^p1¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 88

15/2

Won a nice looking Nottingham maiden after missing the break early. Traveled beautifully throughout but the time of the race was two-and-a-half seconds slower than Division One of that maiden (won by Tartini). Trainer going typically well so far from discounted and he holds Dante and Derby entries. First-time cheekpieces applied.

Form: 1-6

(5)

Zoffany Bay^h¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: G Peckham

100/1

Well beaten on debut but improved to finish fourth of 16 at Nottingham last time. Jockey rides this course very well and his booking is an obvious positive but he would need to come on markedly from that effort to figure and others likely to improve past him.

Form: 74

Forecasts

Cracksman (4/6), Tartini (4/1), Permian (11/2), Youmkin (15/2), Bay Of Poets (14/1), Never Surrender (20/1), Ahlan Bil Zain (33/1), Zoffany Bay (100/1)

There was something a little workman like about CRACKSMAN's debut win at Newmarket but he was strong in the finish that day and this step up in trip could bring about plenty of improvement. He will be wearing the 2015 Derby winning Golden Horn colours and trainer and jockey have not only won the last two renewals of this race, but they could not be in better form; plenty to like about his chances. It may have been a tough choice between the selection and Tartini and he overcame greenness to win well on debut. Youmakin came from the second division of that Nottingham race and couldn't have done anything more visually, but the time of the race was marginally slower than the first division, and he may find this a little tougher.