Epsom awaits: how main contenders shape up for Derby and Oaks next month

Derby 1. Constitution River Timeform rating: 124p. Odds: 6-1. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Pedigree: Wootton Bassett x Chuppy (Le Havre) There’s no doubt about the “wow” performance of trials season: tactical speed, balance and a finishing kick, Constitution River had it all in a seven-length rout for the Dee Stakes at Chester, with a big timefigure to back up the form. But when was life ever that simple? An entry over a mile at Royal Ascot hints at stamina doubts, and current thinking seems to be leaning towards the 10-furlong French Derby on 31 May.

2. Benvenuto Cellini

Timeform rating: 118p. Odds: 5-2.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.

Pedigree: Frankel x Newspaperofrecord (Lope De Vega)

You could drive yourself mad trying to second-guess the pecking order in O’Brien’s long list of Classically bred colts, but he always sends a leading prospect to the Chester Vase and this year’s winner was just as impressive as Lambourn, who completed the Chester/Epsom double last year. Ticks all the boxes on pedigree, stamina and balance, and if Constitution River goes to Chantilly, that could well be enough.

3. Item

Timeform: 117p. Odds: 6-1.

Trainer: Andrew Balding.

Pedigree: Frankel x Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega)

Horses such as this are why there are trials. Unbeaten in two very low-key starts last season, Item is now unbeaten in three, having muscled his way into the Derby picture with an emphatic two-and-three-quarter length success in Thursday’s Dante Stakes at York. Still showed signs of inexperience in the closing stages, however, so the unique challenge of Epsom has to be a slight concern.

4. Maltese Cross

Timeform: 116p. Odds: 10-1.

Trainer: William Haggas.

Pedigree: Sea The Stars x Nabatea (Camelot)

Two Derby winners since 2019 have arrived at Epsom via Lingfield and this year’s trial produced two worthy Classic contenders as Maltese Cross edged out Bay Of Brilliance by a neck. The time was only so-so, but there was a lot to like about the way Maltese Cross handled Lingfield’s steep downhill run to the home turn, a vital nugget of experience with Epsom in mind.

Maltese Cross impressed on Lingfield’s downhill run. Photograph: Ian Headington/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock

5. Bay Of Brilliance

Timeform: 116p. Odds: 20-1.

Trainer: Ralph Beckett.

Pedigree: New Bay x Incroyable (Singspiel)

Close second in the Lingfield trial behind Maltese Cross with a big gap back to third. They have similar chances at Epsom on that bare form, though Maltese Cross’s determination to cling on for the win is a point in his favour.

6. James J Braddock

Timeform: 111p. Odds: 16-1.

Trainer: Joseph O’Brien.

Pedigree: Zarak x Burkina Faso (Mukhadram)

If O’Brien Sr does not carry off another Derby, perhaps O’Brien Jr will. James J Braddock is named after a legendary 1930s boxer and landed the vital final blow in the Leopardstown trial, nailing Pierre Bonnard on the line. Decent form, but needs a major step up to figure in the big one.

7. Pierre Bonnard

Timeform: 111p. Odds: 16-1.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.

Pedigree: Camelot x Sultanina (New Approach)

Spent the winter on top of the Derby market after a Group One win in France in October, but defeats in two spring trials have weakened his case significantly. Short-headed (by James J Braddock) at Leopardstown and as likely, if not more so, to improve for the Derby trip, though Leopardstown looks like one of the lesser trials this season.

Oaks

1. Legacy Link

Timeform: 110p. Odds: 5-1.

Trainer: John Gosden.

Pedigree: Dubawi x Chiasma (Galileo).

A priceless pedigree – Chiasma is a full sister to Frankel, no less – and a trial to match in the Musidora. She travelled, quickened and then showed an excellent attitude, fighting back for a three-quarter length win having been headed a furlong out. Will canter around Tattenham Corner to get a feel for Epsom and heads there clear best among the home-trained team.

2. Amelia Earhart

Timeform rating: 112p. Odds: 5-2.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.

Pedigree: Camelot x Venus De Milo (Duke Of Marmalade)

The Cheshire Oaks winner needed five tries to win at two but has clearly improved markedly over the winter. Showed a fine turn of foot to scoot two lengths clear and will have learned plenty from the Chester experience, but current odds are short enough against less-exposed rivals.

Amelia Earhart wins the Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks in early May. Photograph: Steven Cargill/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock

3. Abashiri

Timeform: 106P. Odds: 14-1.

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Pedigree: Frankel x Sobetsu (Dubawi)

The least-experienced runner in the 1,000 Guineas but ran a huge race to finish fifth. Not certain to go to Epsom and struggled with the downhill Dip at Newmarket, but clearly talented, has huge scope for improvement and bred to appreciate a mile-and-a-half.

4. Venetian Lace

Timeform: 111. Odds: 12-1.

Trainer: Charlie Johnston.

Pedigree: Masar x Nash Nasha (Dubawi)

A 33-1 shot for the 1,000 Guineas but outran those odds to finish third, and promises to improve over further. Overall career record of one win from seven starts is uninspiring, but experience counts for something at Epsom too.

5. Cameo

Timeform: 106. Odds: 16-1.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien.

Pedigree: Wootton Bassett x Zagitova (Galileo)

Best work at the finish when quickening nearly five lengths clear in the Lingfield trial. Likely to be trainer’s second-string on jockey bookings but plenty of those have won Classics in the past.

Cameo impressed in the Lingfield trial and can’t be ruled out. Photograph: Ian Headington/racingfotos.com/Shutterstock