This Derby Trial has had some impact on the Epsom showpiece over the past 10 years, with Authorized, Motivator and North Light all going on to claim Classic glory after taking this. Last year's Dante winner Tartan Bearer went on to be second behind New Approach in the Derby and this year's race looks sure to provide many clues as to who will reign victorious in the Investec-sponsored race.
Crowded House is a worthy favourite after an impressive performance in last year's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. He was seemingly well-fancied that day and over the trip of a mile, he bounded to a ready success. The form of that race has yet to unfold as runner-up Jukebox Jury suffered a setback in his preparations and others in behind have yet to re-appear this season. The turn of foot showed by this son of Rainbow Quest that day was electric, and he is bred to stay middle-distances so he could be a dangerous horse over this trip of 1m 2f. He needs to put in a good performance here to cement his credentials for the Derby, where he is a general 6/1 shot, as he was eclipsed as favourite for the race by recent winners Fame And Glory and Sea The Stars. Brian Meehan has proven he can train a potential Classic horse, as seen with Delegator in this year's 2,000 Guineas and connections are bullish about this horse's ability. He looks a really exciting prospect and if he is fit for his seasonal debut then it is hard to see anything beating him under Jamie Spencer.
Kite Wood is an interesting runner on his first start for new-owners Goldophin, who bought him out of Michael Jarvis' yard in the close season. He has had three starts to date, winning two in good style. His form is generally modest but he put in a taking performance on his last race of the season at Ascot, where won the Group 3 Deloitte Autumn Stakes by a length. The horses in behind that day haven't done too much for his form but he ran on really strongly in the closing stages over the mile trip which bodes well for this long distance. This son of Galileo is bred to stay further and Frankie Dettori will probably have him close to the pace throughout. One issue is the ground, as he seems to prefer some cut in the ground and this fast ground may not be ideal.
Freemantle is the choice of Jonny Murtagh for Aidan O'Brien and he is an unexposed sort who will appreciate the step up in trip. He is an unknown quantity as he has only had three starts, all in Ireland on heavy ground. However, he could not have been more impressive in winning his maiden, where he beat a subsequent winner by 10 lengths. He was settled in rear that day but ran on relentlessly to put a wide margin between himself and the remainder. Like Kite Wood, he is a son of Galileo and if the ground is not too quick for him, he could play a part for his powerful connections.
There two unbeaten horses in the line-up, these being Nehaam and Redwood. Nehaam, trained by John Gosden, has won both his starts to date and was impressive in winning last time out at Newmarket at this trip. He won the prestigious Tattersalls Timeform 3-Y-O Trophy by a head, however; it was the manner in which he travelled in to the race and stayed on strongly to land that huge prize. He has no problem with this quicker surface and he should go well for Richard Hills. Redwood comes here fresh from a win at Newmarket in the Feilden Stakes over nine furlongs. He is still an unknown quantity over this trip and trainer Barry Hills would have to supplement him for the Derby if he were to run well here. This son of High Chapparal will be suited to the ground and he may well run into the placings.
Sans Frontieres is worthy of a mention after a superb run in the Craven Stakes last time out, where he finished two lengths behind Delegator. He won his debut in good style and is held in high regard by his trainer Jeremy Noseda. He should strip fitter for his first run and he may find the extra furlongs to his liking. Black Bear Island is the Ballydoyle second-string and needs to improve from his seasonal debut. He is another who may not be suited to this fast ground and could act as a pacemaker for Freemantle.
Selections: 1st - Crowded House, 2nd - Kite Wood, 3rd - Sans Frontieres.
Result: 1st - Black Bear Island, 12/1, 2nd - Freemantle, 13/2, 3rd - Sans Frontieres, 16/1.
Black Bear Island came from last to first to chin his stablemate Freemantle on the line in a good Derby trial. On jockey bookings, the winner looked to be the stable's second-string but Colm O'Donoghue came with a perfectly-timed run to wear down his front-running rival. Black Bear Island disappointed on his seasonal debut in France in a muddling race, but with a strong, honest pace to run at, he stayed on stoutly and will now go for the Derby where he has a good each-way chance. Freemantle put in a good performance as he looked likely to be swallowed with two furlongs to go but he stayed on well to the line. Johnny Murtagh made it a test of stamina and he, like the winner, will go for the big race, even though Ballydoyle seem to have a better chance with the unbeaten Fame And Glory. Sans Frontieres ran a blinder in third and justified his trainer's beliefs in him. He was staying on strongly at the finish and he will go for the Derby. If he continues up this rapid rate of progression, it would be unwise to rule out another solid run. Kite Wood was always prominent under Frankie Dettori but he could not sustain his effort. He looked in the need of the run and will strip fitter for his next run, which will be the Derby in June. The disappointment of the race was Crowded House, who failed to show the sparkling turn of foot which won him the Racing Post Trophy. Connections were confident that he would put up a good show under Jamie Spencer but after travelling well into the race along the inside rail, he failed to stay on at the finish and weakened into eighth. He may have needed the run but he must improve on this run if he is trouble the two at the head of the market, Fame And Glory and Sea The Stars. The two unbeaten horses in the race, Nehaam and Redwood, both weakened as they went into unknown territory. They are still very young and immature and they need to be respected for the season as they should improve a good deal more.
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