While the Derby has fallen apart a little in the last week with observers pitting one John Gosden runner against another, a dangerous Irish challenger still lurks.
And on Saturday, anyone who underestimates Dermot Weld’s Zawraq at Epsom will be making a great, and perhaps extremely-costly-error.
The higher-profile yard from over the Irish Sea of Aiden O’Brien has seen their intended complement for the championship of middle-distance animals decimated.
Gleneagles, although a dual 2000 Guineas winner, looked laboured and short of zip when following up his Newmarket Group 1 at the Curragh eight days ago.
Although short of room in the final stages, it does not dilute the concern left by defeating a 106 opponent well-named Endless Drama by three-quarters of a length.
It seems he will be aimed at the St James Palace and kept to a mile for now, leaving Hans Holbien and Kilimanjaro as possibly the only Ballydoyle representatives.
The Gosden runners were the principals in York’s Derby trial, the Dante Stakes, where Golden Horn defeated Jack Hobbs by a convincing-looking two-and-three-quarter lengths.
Jack Hobbs had been visually impressive in a 12-length handicap romp at Sandown and, after York, the impression persisted that handicap form was going into a Group 1.
Golden Horn did little wrong and looked a bit more street wise than his green stablemate as he ran up a hat-trick, after a maiden and listed win, without showing Derby “sparkle”.
All that may have left the charming Weld pondering a first Epsom Derby triumph, to accompany 2000 Guineas success with Refuse To Bend and Blue Wind’s Oaks.
Breeding experts are predicting 2015 will be a breakthrough season for Zawraq’s sire Shamardal and victory on Saturday, in the colt’s third outing, would be a cracking start.
A sole two-year-old outing brought a maiden victory over O’Brien’s Sir Isaac Newton and last year produced a facile listed win over the afore-mentioned Endless Drama.
Such a patient and low-key build-up, with only two racecourse visits, suggest the modest Weld has always thought of Zawraq as a possible Epsom hero.
Stamina should not be an issue. He is by a Saddler’s Wells mare and, as they hurtle down the Epsom straight, Pat Smullen will press the button and wait for the speed.
SELECTIONS
Nap Zawraq (The Derby, Saturday 4.30) (5/1).
Saver Golden Horn (7/4).
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