The Queen has right approach to Derby

The Queen, who has high hopes of winning this year's Epsom Derby with Right Approach in her Golden Jubilee year, is looking even further ahead for glory in the major English Classic which she has never won.

At present, Right Approach, who won a Newmarket conditions race on his debut in August, and was second in the Chertsey Lock Stakes at Kempton, is quoted at 25-1 for Epsom by bookmakers William Hill. Right Approach, who is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, is also a contender for the 2,000 Guineas, another Classic which has, so far, eluded Her Majesty.

Jockey Kieren Fallon is understood to be very keen about Right Approach, a son of Machiavellian, and would love to partner the colt.

Meanwhile, if she does not get that elusive Derby this year, the Queen is already planning an assault on the race in 2003. She has four colts in the 573- strong entry for that £1.2m showpiece, split between trainers Roger Charlton and Stoute.

The quartet, consisting of Chief Yeoman, Promotion, Locksmith and Sure Sign, became twoyearolds on 1 January. Charlton trains Locksmith and Sure Sign with Chief Yeoman and Promotion under the care of Stoute.

Perhaps Promotion, by the prolific stallion, Sadler's Wells, is the best prospect on breeding.

Her Majesty's record in the British Classics is a noble one, but only with fillies. In 1957 she won the Epsom Oaks with Carrozza, ridden by Lester Piggott and trained by Noel Murless. Then, 17 years later, Highclere, partnered by Joe Mercer and trained by Major Dick Hern, took the 1,000 Guineas.