Investec Derby: Dettori’s Newmarket concertina catches the eye

Ryan Moore is the toast of Ballydoyle after landing both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas on Legatissimo and Gleneagles, for David Wachman and Aidan O’Brien respectively, and plenty of clues were on show at Newmarket ahead of next month’s Oaks and Derby at Epsom.

Legatissimo is 4/1 favourite to take the 1m4f fillies’ event in early June, ahead of long-time ante-post 1,000 Guineas jolly Found at 5/1, who was pulled from the Newmarket mile by trainer O’Brien early last week.

Found is clearly a class act though, and her impressive two-and-a-half length Group 1 victory over the same distance at Longchamp last October against Ervedya, who has won handily in Group 3 company since, puts her well in the mix for the four-time Epsom Oaks-winning handler.

Wachman’s winner gave one last push with less than a furlong to go at Newmarket to reel in Jim Bolger’s Lucida, and was arguably going best of all at the time she crossed the line, which suggests her Oaks favouritism is justified.

Mick Channon’s Malabar caught the eye a little further back in fourth, under Martin Harley, with horse and jockey flashing home late to push Fadhayyil and Irish Rookie down the field.

She would certainly have caught third-placed Tiggy Wiggy given another 100 yards too. There’s no Oaks price with Ladbrokes on Channon’s runner at present, but keep an eye out as she could go at Epsom.

As for the boys, it seems Gleneagles’ work in the English Classics is done for one season, with few firms offering a price about O’Brien’s champion miler for the Derby.

John Gosden’s Jack Hobbs heads the market at 6/1 despite holding questionable credentials, in the form of a debut win on Wolverhampton’s All-Weather and a handicap romp over 1m2f at Sandown last month.

John F Kennedy looks likely to lead the O’Brien charge at 10/1, a fact which should be noted considering the Wexford man has won the last three renewals of this event, and five overall.

Of the possible challengers from Newmarket, Richard Hannon’s Moheet looks the most interesting after Frankie Dettori steered the son of High Chaparral to eighth despite being thrown all over the place. If he can be taught to run in a straight line he could be a contender.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £25 in free bets.