12 declared for Investec Derby

Giovanni Canaletto has been well backed this week and will be bidding to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth successive Dervy victory. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

12 runners are set to do battle in the 236th renewal of the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

Leading QIPCO British Champions Series trainer Aidan O’Brien has declared three runners in his quest to win the Epsom Classic for a fourth successive year. Giovanni Canaletto will sport first-time cheekpieces and Ballydoyle’s first jockey Ryan Moore as heads the attack, together with Kilimanjaro (Joseph O’Brien) and Hans Holbein (Seamie Heffernan). 

John Gosden is another trainer who has trained multiple Classic winners, including Taghrooda in last year’s Investec Oaks, and he will be double handed with Golden Horn (Frankie Dettori) and Jack Hobbs (William Buick). Gosden will reportedly walk the course before racing, though, to ensure that the ground is suitable for both his representatives.

William Haggas, who trained Shaamit to land the Derby back in 1996, saddles Storm The Stars and he said: “Storm The Stars stays well and, although he has a bit to find on the evidence of the form book, there is only one Derby. It’s a huge race, especially for a young man like his owner, Sheikh Juma [Dalmook al Maktoum].

“I have not done a lot with him since Goodwood as I have not needed to. He has already had four races this season and what I like about him is that he is just getting better with each start.

“He went round Chester and Goodwood without difficulty, so I would not be worried about his ability to handle Epsom. He is a well-balanced horse who is light on his feet.

“I would be more concerned about the Derby atmosphere as the occasion might get to him – he does tend to sweat up a bit beforehand but it doesn’t seem to bother him. He sweated up a Goodwood yet still saw out the race strongly all the way to the line.

“He is just a baby who has needed the experience of racing and my horses are in much better form now than when he was running earlier in the season.”

The full line-up for the 2015 Investec Derby is:  Carbon Dating, Elm Park, Epicuris, Giovanni Canaletto, Golden Horn, Hans Holbein, Jack Hobbs, Kilimanjaro, Moheet, Rogue Runner, Storm The Stars, Success Days.