Eminent Looks Derby's Best Solution

Stephen Mullen has a pair of likely lads for the Derby and likes Coronet for the Oaks.

- Stephen Mullen

DERBY

WHEN it comes to Flat racing’s most prestigious prize, so much revolves around the plans Aidan O’Brien has for the handful of horses he could aim at the Derby.

Churchill is the most obvious Ballydoyle contender after his 2,000 Guineas win but the vibes are mixed, with some bookies going 10/1 at the time of writing, while others are just 5s.

It looks increasingly like Team O’Brien will have Cliffs Of Moher as their prime candidate come June 3.

He had an entry in the Irish Guineas which will be run around the time this drops on your doormat but it would be a huge surprise if he ran there given how strong Churchill’s claims are at The Curragh.

Instead he will look to build on a Dee Stakes win at Chester that stretched him further than his backers at odds-on would have liked. That race on the Roodeye hasn’t been a great barometer for Epsom in recent years but it Cliffs Of Moher looks certain to come on considerably for the outing, which was just his third racecourse run.

He was pushed along for a while and took a few strides to get going, but he had no problem picking up speed despite Chester’s camber. The one at Epsom is more pronounced but it was a good sign that the track didn’t seem to be a problem.

The way he finished suggests the extra quarter-mile will help but it’s debatable whether he should be favourite based on that one good outing. Prices range from 7/2 to 9/2 with the shorter end looking very stingy.

The thing is, nothing has really leaped out of the pack to come in for significant support.

It’s a shame that we haven’t seen Cracksman since he battled home to win the Epsom Derby Trial last month.