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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
With questions over many I have every confidence in my massive 14-1 Epsom Derby NAP
THE Aga wins the Aga Derby. That's fairytale stuff, isn't it? I'm not so sure. I'm talking, of course, about Midak , one of the French raiders supplemented into Saturday's Group 1 Betfred Derby, the world's most famous Classic beamed to you live on ITV. Advertisement 2 The Kings of Epsom - Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien - have an obvious chance with Delacroix... but I don't think they'll win the Derby Credit: PA Derby Day should always be something special for anyone who loves the thoroughbred. For many it's the ultimate test of the Flat racehorse, and it has tested the best. Winners like Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Nashwan and Sea The Stars... as well as those in defeat like Dancing Brave and El Gran Senor. The twists and turns are one thing, the stamina test over a mile and a half of the Epsom Downs another. Advertisement Will he stay? That will be the question many ask about the majority of today's runners. It's certainly a doubt for 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court , who was hardly mentioned after being chased home by fast-finishing Field of Gold at HQ. Could it just be Ruling Court was the best horse for William Buick and Charlie Appleby? Time will tell. Delacroix really should stay for the Derby King of Trainers, Aidan O'Brien. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing But Ballysax and Leopardstown Derby Trial victor Delacroix is by Dubawi. In itself that is no bad thing. But the super stallion has had nine runners to date in seven different editions of the Derby and none of them has finished in the first four. Dubawi himself ran in the 2005 Derby, eventually going down eight lengths to Motivator. Advertisement That was six years after his sire, Dubai Millennium, met the only defeat of his career when sent off the favourite for the Derby. Pride of Arras has only raced twice but looked very useful when romping home from Damysus in a slowly run Dante at York which saw The Lion In Winter pull his chance away in the first two furlongs. Ralph Beckett's challenger, ridden by Hector Crouch, is bred to stay and could be the real deal for owner-breeder Mrs David Aykroyd. Her colours are also carried by Amiloc, who hacked up at Goodwood the other day but can't run here as he's been gelded. Advertisement Lambourn is a similar type to Los Angeles who ran well behind stable companion City of Troy last year. Another O'Brien raider, Lambourn is proven over further having landed the Chester Vase but he was beaten by Delacroix in the Ballysax. The other I want to mention, before I get on to Midak, is Stanhope Gardens , who is another for Beckett and has always appeared to be a Derby type. Last season Stanhope Gardens was only beaten a neck by Delacroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket. That puts him bang in the mix. Advertisement The son of Ghaiyyath is bred to stay well and had effectively a racecourse gallop at Salisbury the other day when winning an event put on especially for him. But let's get back to my French fancy Midak . 2 Mickael Barzalona celebrates riding Pour Moi to victory in Derby - and I think he'll be doing the same on Midak... though maybe not quite so early! Credit: PA:Empics Sport He runs in the colours of Aga Khan Studs SCEA in a Derby run in memory of His Highness Aga Khan IV. Advertisement That means he carries the green and red silks that have been worn at Epsom by legends like Shergar, Shahrastani, Kahyasi, Sinndar and Harzand. So, naturally, a Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Midak victory would be fairytale stuff under Mickaël Barzalona, who won this on Pour Moi in 2011. Midak is out of a mare by Sinndar and is already very useful. My hope is unbeaten in three races and his form suggests he's a solid, improving Group 2 horse, having scored well over an extended 1m2f at Saint-Cloud last time. Advertisement He kept on well that day suggesting this trip would suit and of course he's bred for it. 'He's definitely a horse improving with his races and will definitely get the trip,' explained Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. 'We're not sure on his form lines and how it stacks up, but all he can do is win and he's won every start. 'He's going to have to handle the track and he's a big horse with a big, long stride. Mickael Barzalona thinks he will handle the track because he's well balanced. Advertisement 'We would be very happy to see him finish in the first three or even first five, but he is a bit of an unknown quantity and he does everything easily at home. It's a little bit of a shot in the dark, but we thought it was worth it.' It's the type of Derby to simply 'have a go'. And there would be no more poignant victory than one for Midak. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Leader Live
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Big Mojo handed Sandy Lane assignment at Haydock
Trainer Mick Appleby hopes to see his stable star book his place in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot over the same distance. With Tom Marquand not available, William Buick has been booked to take his place. 'We didn't confirm him for the Temple and entered him for the Sandy Lane,' said Appleby. 'At this stage, the Commonwealth Cup is the plan at Ascot, so it made sense to have another run over six. We may as well keep him against the three-year-olds.' Big Mojo won Ascot's Commonwealth Cup Trial on his seasonal reappearance over six furlongs. Others in the Sandy Lane include Richard Fahey's unbeaten Mill Reef winner Powerful Glory, Charlie Appleby's Symbol Of Honour, Charlie Johnston's Dash Dizzy and Adrian Murray's Arizona Blaze among 11 entries. The Temple has 14 confirmations as an early-closing race. They include Ralph Beckett's Breeders' Cup winner Starlust, Karl Burke's Night Raider, Ed Walker's Mgheera and Jim Goldie's rapidly improving American Affair. There are 19 in the Betfred 'Nifty 50' British EBF Hedge of Oak Stakes, with Running Lion looking to bounce back from a lacklustre showing at Newmarket last time out. Diamond Rain, Estrange and Ejaabiyah are among other possibles for the Listed race for fillies and mares.
South Wales Guardian
19-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Big Mojo handed Sandy Lane assignment at Haydock
Trainer Mick Appleby hopes to see his stable star book his place in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot over the same distance. With Tom Marquand not available, William Buick has been booked to take his place. 'We didn't confirm him for the Temple and entered him for the Sandy Lane,' said Appleby. 'At this stage, the Commonwealth Cup is the plan at Ascot, so it made sense to have another run over six. We may as well keep him against the three-year-olds.' Big Mojo won Ascot's Commonwealth Cup Trial on his seasonal reappearance over six furlongs. Others in the Sandy Lane include Richard Fahey's unbeaten Mill Reef winner Powerful Glory, Charlie Appleby's Symbol Of Honour, Charlie Johnston's Dash Dizzy and Adrian Murray's Arizona Blaze among 11 entries. The Temple has 14 confirmations as an early-closing race. They include Ralph Beckett's Breeders' Cup winner Starlust, Karl Burke's Night Raider, Ed Walker's Mgheera and Jim Goldie's rapidly improving American Affair. There are 19 in the Betfred 'Nifty 50' British EBF Hedge of Oak Stakes, with Running Lion looking to bounce back from a lacklustre showing at Newmarket last time out. Diamond Rain, Estrange and Ejaabiyah are among other possibles for the Listed race for fillies and mares.
Glasgow Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Big Mojo handed Sandy Lane assignment at Haydock
Trainer Mick Appleby hopes to see his stable star book his place in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot over the same distance. With Tom Marquand not available, William Buick has been booked to take his place. 'We didn't confirm him for the Temple and entered him for the Sandy Lane,' said Appleby. 'At this stage, the Commonwealth Cup is the plan at Ascot, so it made sense to have another run over six. We may as well keep him against the three-year-olds.' Big Mojo won Ascot's Commonwealth Cup Trial on his seasonal reappearance over six furlongs. Others in the Sandy Lane include Richard Fahey's unbeaten Mill Reef winner Powerful Glory, Charlie Appleby's Symbol Of Honour, Charlie Johnston's Dash Dizzy and Adrian Murray's Arizona Blaze among 11 entries. The Temple has 14 confirmations as an early-closing race. They include Ralph Beckett's Breeders' Cup winner Starlust, Karl Burke's Night Raider, Ed Walker's Mgheera and Jim Goldie's rapidly improving American Affair. There are 19 in the Betfred 'Nifty 50' British EBF Hedge of Oak Stakes, with Running Lion looking to bounce back from a lacklustre showing at Newmarket last time out. Diamond Rain, Estrange and Ejaabiyah are among other possibles for the Listed race for fillies and mares.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Givemefive aiming to scale new heights in Swinton test
The five-year-old – who has golfers Brooks Koepka and Graeme McDowell amongst his owners – has enjoyed a fine season and notched up his third win of the campaign when making all over course and distance last month. He now returns to the Lancashire track for one final outing before a summer break, with his handler ready to 'roll the dice' to find out if he has the required extra lurking in reserve to bow out on a high. 'Everything is in his favour barring a career-high mark and top weight,' said Derham. What a fight from Givemefive 💪 A win for @Harry05Derham and Paul O'Brien just showing how tough this horse is 🏇#ITVRacing | @haydockraces — ITV Racing (@itvracing) April 19, 2025 'He obviously loved the track last time and he looks to be in exceedingly good form, but he's never been higher than 137 and the burden of top weight will make life pretty tough. 'He's a very consistent, tough horse and did everything right last time – I don't think Dan's (Skelton) horse was getting by him at the line – but he will need to put in a much better effort to win the Swinton. Has he got that in him, I don't know, but it's worth finding out. 'It's a difficult season when you are four turning five and for him to have won three times is great. We said if he came out of the last race well we would roll the dice at the Swinton and he has, so we'll have a go.' There is also Listed Flat action on the mixed card and owners Juddmonte have a strong hand in the Pertemps Network Spring Trophy Stakes with Harry Charlton's Kikkuli and Andrew Balding's Array. A half-brother to Frankel, Kikkuli rattled the crossbar at Royal Ascot last year before competing in deep waters later in the campaign and is held in the highest regard by connections ahead of his return to action. 'Kikkuli had a very good season last year and was of course only just denied a win at Royal Ascot in the Jersey,' said Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon. 'He's in good form and Harry is very happy with him. It's his first run of the year and you would expect him to improve for it as he's a big, burly horse. But he's in good shape and we're looking forward to seeing him back on the track.' Array won the Mill Reef as a juvenile and is expected to be sharper for a first run in 546 days at Thirsk last month. He went on: 'Array needed his run back having been off the track for 18 months and Andrew feels he has come forward for that. 'I think we will see a better reflection of his ability on Saturday and both horses are in line to return to Haydock in a couple of weeks time for the John of Gaunt Stakes (May 31). 'Both of these are using it as a springboard for that race, but Array might be a little more streetwise than Kikkuli having had a run.'
