Lydia marks your card

13 April 2012

The smallest Vodafone Derby field for 12 years is not short on debating points.

Could Golan be the next Nashwan and annex Epsom-classic victory to his 2,000 Guineas success? Does top Irish handler Aidan O'Brien finally have a real Derby candidate in Galileo after so many hype horses? Can Lambourn trainer Barry Hills finally lay the ghost of 32 Derby runners without a winner with a third of tomorrow's field on his side?

Like Nashwan in 1989, Golan must quell 11 competitors to emulate that famous double. This could be the horse we've waited so long for. His pedigree screams middle distances, making his Newmarket classic triumph all the more remarkable. One of the least experienced horses in that field, he was last at halfway but came with an uninterrupted challenge to beat Tamburlaine a length-and-a-quarter.

In this risk-shy era of equine specialisation, we have come to doubt whether such speed and stamina can reside in the same horse, despite countless examples in the past. Former triple champion jockey Kieren Fallon clearly believes it does in Golan, but he won't get a chance to prove it tomorrow.

An impetuous moment at Ayr last week, when frustrated competitiveness overcame prudence to find him guilty of careless riding in a £4,480 handicap, causes him to miss the £1 million event.

So Derby crowds are denied a glimpse of Fallon for the second year running after his mount King's Best - also fresh from 2,000 Guineas victory - was withdrawn through last-minute injury in 2000.

Instead, 11-time champion rider Pat Eddery seeks his fourth Derby success on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Golan after winning the contest on Grundy in 1975, Golden Fleece in 1982 and Quest For Fame in 1990. He is both the most experienced and successful jockey riding in the race. Handler Stoute answers to the same accolades, with six trainers' titles and two Derby triumphs to his name.

Golan hangs grimly on to ante-post favouritism from Galileo, the latest wunderkind from Ireland's Ballydoyle stable. He is impeccably bred, out of 1993 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine, Urban Sea, and by multiple champion sire, Sadler's Wells. That stallion is flagbearer at County Tipperary's Coolmore Stud - owned by John Magnier, husband and associate respectively of Galileo's owners, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor. But he is yet to sire a winner of the Epsom classic. Trainer Hills has saddled the Derby second four times - Rheingold in 1972, Hawaiian Sound in 1978, Glacial Storm in 1988 and Blue Stag in 1990 - and has as many chances of setting that record straight in 2001.

Richard Hughes partners Perfect Sunday under his one-year contract riding for prolific owner, Prince Khalid Abdulla. Hills' son, Michael, had first choice from the remaining trio and picked Storming Home. Twin Richard rides Mr Combustible and Chancellor was handed out to Richard Quinn, in the absence of a runner from his employer Henry Cecil.

This field also includes first Derby runners from trainers Mick Channon, Nick Littmoden and Luke Comer and a inaugural ride for Australian Craig Williams. It lost a little substance when injury struck Celtic Silence and Asian Heights, but remains an ultra-competitive renewal.

Cashel Bay
Trainer: L Comer (IRE)
Rank outsider and rightly so. Tailed off last when 200-1 in Irish 2,000 Guineas. Tried over a variety of distances but never in the hunt. Will stay, in his own time. Owner-trainer is permit-holder based in County Meath. Runs London-based property firm. Saddled third last year's St Leger. 1/10

Galileo
Trainer: A P O'Brien (IRE)
Unbeaten in three starts. Vanquished duo, stablemate Milan and Vinnie Roe, did form no harm when narrow Prix Lupin third and Derby Italiano fourth respectively. Bred to stay, but progeny of Sadler's Wells best suited by soft-ish ground. No value - odds constricted by stable's reputation. 8/10

Mr Combustible
Trainer: B Hills
Deemed more St Leger than Derby horse, but not without place prospects. Proved handles fast ground when winning Chester Vase. That form not literally good enough, but showed plenty of dash and resolve. Passed over by Michael Hills. Twin Richard now rides. Cast-iron stayer. 7/10

Storming Home
Trainer: B Hills
Jockey's choice over Chancellor and Mr Combustible. Won Epsom Derby trial, though some question whether he handled the hill, beating inferior rivals. Lacks tactical speed but ran on well when third in Dante. Seems to handle all ground. Closely matched with Dilshaan, yet more than three times his price. 8/10

Chancellor
Trainer: B Hills
One of four runners from Lambourn's leading Flat handler, seeking first Derby winner after four seconds. Colt beat subsequent brilliant Predominate winner Asian Heights in desperate ground at Sandown - may not handle fast. Not certain to stay. Rejected by trainer's jockey-son, Michael. 5/10

Golan
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Won 2,000 Guineas with relentless last-to-first challenge on seasonal debut. Scalped French Guineas third, Clearing, as juvenile. Expected to stay. Live chance of emulating Nashwan's 1989 classic double. Lazy homework prompted betting unease, but typical of horse. New to fast ground. 8/10

Perfect Sunday
Trainer: B Hills
Unbeaten at three. Impressed, despite getting unbalanced closing stages, in Newmarket maiden. Dictated Lingfield Derby Trial, getting first run but powering home downhill straight. Suggests will cope with Epsom. Handles fast ground. Stays, has pace and canny jockey booked. 10/10

Sunny Glenn
Trainer: N Littmoden
His narrow second to Olden Times at Newmarket in April since boosted by winner's Group One triumph. But serious flop behind Perfect Sunday in Ling-field Derby Trial when wasted energy racing too freely. Stamina doubts. May also lack tactical speed to gain prominent early position. 5/10

Dilshaan
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute
Hard to fault except that clear second string to stablemate, Golan. Beat good Dante field last month. Group One winner at two, defeating 2,000 Guineas runner-up Tamburlaine. Game but difficult ride. Idiosyncratic Epsom may not suit. Big-race jockey booked. Value gone. 8/10

King Carew
Trainer: M Channon
Stats against him. Lammtarra in 1995 the first horse since Grand Parade in 1919 to make winning seasonal debut in Derby. Shaamit repeated feat in 1996, but both were far more proven. Also a maiden - last horse to record first career win in Epsom Classic was Merry Hampton in 1887. 1/10

Putra Sandhurst
Trainer: M Jarvis
Like King Carew, a maiden seeking to defy a 114-year statistic. Distinctly better chance of doing so. Open to vast improvement after just two career starts. Has two-and-a-half lengths to find with Perfect Sunday on Lingfield running. Bred to stay. Trainer never runs no-hopers. Best each-way bet. 9/10

Tobougg
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor
Godolphin's representative by default after setback to stable-mate, Celtic Silence. Beaten favourite when ninth in 2,000 Guineas. Form of juvenile Group One win taken knocks, but upheld by French 2,000 Guineas hero, stablemate Noverre. Unlikely first Derby victory for Frankie Dettori. 6/10

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