EPSOM DERBY FORM

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31384, 1 June 1967, Page 4

EPSOM DERBY FORM

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) LONDON. The withdrawal of Sun Rock, Ald.'um, Mount Harry, Alcan from the Derby on Tuesday after their defeat in the Richmond Handicap at Sandown Park, brought the field nearer its final shape for the classic on June 7.

“England’s Glory was considered a doubtful starter on Tuesday night. All the colts carry 9-0 and many will find it too much if the Epsom turf is as soft as it was on Tuesday. Horses still in the field—and their known form—are:

Acropolier.—First and third in last two starts in provincial races but looks outclassed.

Kiss of Life.—Third in last start but on Tuesday the jockey, E. Larkins, was given the mount and the price of 200-1 is likely to shorten. Dominion Day.—To be ridden by the Australian jockey, D. Lake, who is leading the jockey’s winning list in Ireland, is trained by P. Prendergast. He is one of the Irish hopes in the field, particularly if the track is soft. Dominion Day, with two seconds in three races, is second favourite at 4-1.

Horus.—Won his second last race but is a weak finisher in top-class company and is attrcting little interest.

Hambelden.—To be ridden by J. Mercer, a great faovurite with the race crowd, has had only two thirds in four races. He has some support at 66-1. Dancing Moss.—To be ridden by Bootham. This Irish horse won on his second last time out and is 100-1.

Ribocco. —Offered to champion British jockey, L. Piggott, but if he refused the ride B. Taylor will take the mount. The Ameri-can-owned Ribocco had a fourth and a second in his last three starts and present price of 20-1 will almost certainly ttumble if Piggott decides to ride him.

Great Host. —With two wins in last two starts, is another Irish threat from the Prendergast stable and will be ridden by Y. Saint-Martin. At 14-1 Great Host* is fifth favourite.

Island Venture. —French horse which, although he won last

time out, is largely an unknown quantity in this field.

Sofico.—ls from the Prendergast stable but does not look in the same class as the top Irish horses. *

Privy Seal.—Third place two races ago and has gained some support at 100-1 because of that run and training reports. Lead the Way.—An Irish horse with a second as the best show in last three races. Does not look a real threat.

Missile.—An Irish horse with a third place at his last start. This is another horse which looks outclassed.

Sloop.—First and second in last two starts and has moved well in recent training. His 50/17 price will probably shorten as race day nears. He will be ridden by G. Starkie.

Belted.—First and a fourth In three races and will be ridden by A. C. Rawlinson. Quoted at 200/1. This is one of the horses which might do well if condiitons suit.

Royal Palace.—Clear favourite since the Australian jockey, G. Moore, was given the ride last month. He is at 2/1, and his trainer, N. Murlees, who makes a practice of collecting classic wins, is unworried by reports of soft going across the Epsom Downs. Unbeaten in the last three starts and looks certain to start as England’s best hope of keeping the Derby trophy at homo

Landlgou.—Placed twice in the last three races and is earning some backing at 100/1. Tyro’a Try.—Likely to run in keeping with his name. Royal Sword. —Fourth, third and first in last three races brought this Irish horse to nearfavouritism early but doubt about his ability on soft tracks dropped him behind Dominion Day as the best-backed Irish entry. J. Lindley will ride Royal Sword, which is priced at 6/1. Le Loup.—French horse with unimpressive form. Pleines Mains.—French entry whose best is a fourth in recent races.

Magnu.—Another of the French entries which might almost have been left in the field by oversight.

Great Pleasure. —Placed in his last three starts and is one of the outsiders—at 100/1 —which might cause some excitement.

Helluvafella.—Third the second last time out and the Derby seems beyond him.

Tapis Rose.—so/1 but with the leading jockey, R. Hutchinson, riding him, the price is certain to drop. Hutchinson is having a great season and has shown he is a threat on the Derby course. Tapis Rose has a first, a third and second in last three races and if the Derby field stays large he could give Hutchinson a good run.

Starry Halo.—Favoured early for the Derby when he won twice early in the flat race season, but lost support when he failed in his last start. He is quoted at 22/1.

Raeburn.—Only Italian horse in the field and comes to the Derby after running second last time out. C. Ferrari will ride Raeburn, but there is still some doubt whether this horse will run if the going is very soft. Hang On.—Two second places after a win but does not look to have the form to cause a surprise. Dart Board.—Will carry Australian jockey, A. W. Breasley, who has won two of the last three Derbys. Breasley will be riding less than a week after returning to the saddle after recovering from a broken collar bone suffered in a fall last month. At 53 he will have to be a superman to regain his form and judgment. Dart Board, with two wins in the last three races, has firmed to 12/1.

Tambou.—A useful French horse with a win and a fourth in three starts.

Scottish Sinbad.—Two wins in three starts in weaker company than this and probably deserves better than the price of 200/1 available.

Ruggod Man.—lrish entry with a win at second last start but is not given much chance here.

Persian Genius.—2oo/1 and with second and third placings in last two starts does not look impressive. El Mighty.—Third last time out, will be ridden by P. Cook. He is 200/1.

Imagination.—Unplaced in last four races and seems outclassed.