Thanks for your company, and congratulations to all of you who had money on Harzand. You can find more about today’s race later tonight on our dedicated Derby page. Night!
Investec Asset Finance Stakes (5.15)
1 Green Light 16-1
2 Polarisation 16-1
3 Repeater 12-1
17 ran
#InvestecDerby winning jockey Pat Smullen receives his trophy from HM The Queen. pic.twitter.com/46MaT4DQsG
— Investec Sport (@Investec_Sport) June 4, 2016
Investec Derby (4.30)
Harzand, who had been a doubtful runner in the morning after an injury scare, has pounded his way to glory in the Derby, staying on dourly to resist the late challenge of US Army Ranger. This is a first victory in the race for the trainer Dermot Weld and the jockey Pat Smullen, while it was also a triumph for Irish racing, which provided the first three home.
“He’s the greatest trainer in the world,” Smullen said of Weld while still mounted, soon after crossing the line. “I heard Ryan [Moore] coming, I saw the white face of US Army Ranger. But he dug in.”
An inch of rain this week produced ideal conditions for Harzand, who needs some cut underfoot. It was only on Thursday that he was confirmed as an intended runner and he was nearly withdrawn 48 hours later when he was found to have lost a shoe, so that one of his front feet required icing.
In this big field, US Army Ranger and Wings Of Desire, who stayed on to be fourth behind the third-placed Idaho, were undoubtedly inconvenienced by the way the race unfolded. Both were to the rear in the early stages and made up masses of ground in order to be involved in the finish.
US Army Ranger’s defeat saves the bookmakers a drubbing, as he was long fancied for this race and was well backed in the final hour before it to start as the 7-2 favourite. But Harzand was one of the best-backed in the race, being sent off at 13-2 after being 20-1 earlier in the week.
The Aga Khan, winning owner, greets Harzand and Pat Smullen after their win in the #Derby pic.twitter.com/mV9BKu1579
— Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) June 4, 2016
Pat Smullen (jockey, HARZAND): "He dug in. I could sense Ryan coming, and I saw US ARMY RANGER's white face, but this horse responded"
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) June 4, 2016
Updated
HARZAND wins the Investec Derby for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen https://t.co/XAao5biYJK
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) June 4, 2016
Investec Derby (4.30) result
1 Harzand (Pat Smullen) 13-2
2 US Army Ranger (Ryan Moore) 7-2F
3 Idaho (Seamie Hefferman) 14-1
4 Wings of Desire (Frankie Dettori) 6-1
16 ran
Updated
Investec Derby (4.30)
They’re starting to head behind the stalls ... Massaat is last in ... and they’re off ... Port Douglas takes an early lead, with Massaat close by ... Port Douglas has gone well clear as they approach Tattenham Corner ... the pack are closing in now ... Port Douglas can’t hold on ... Harzand leads from US Army Ranger in a brilliant finish ... Harzand wins it!
Updated
US ARMY RANGER is in to 7-2 now. There never looked likely to be a 7-2 favourite for this Derby a day or two ago...
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) June 4, 2016
US Army Ranger looks like going off the Derby favourite, being 5-1 while Wings Of Desire is 6s. I’m sticking with Harzand, since connections seem to have decided he is sound after this morning’s scare, and the ground appears to be sufficiently testing to give him a chance if he doesn’t get too far back. Good luck to you all!
In the parade, HUMPHREY BOGART looks the most keen to get on with it. US ARMY RANGER and WINGS OF DESIRE, at the back, look chilled
— Channel 4 Racing (@Channel4Racing) June 4, 2016
Race preview: Investec Derby (4.30)
Most of the Derby runners look in excellent condition, as you’d expect, and I’m gratified to be able to say that Harzand impressed in appearance. Cloth Of Stars and Wings Of Desire also looked good. There were a handful of negatives of varying import. Idaho was especially warm from the moment he entered the paddock, while Massaat was also getting sweaty.
Ulysses, whose experience is a question here, had a bit of a whinny as he passed me for the first time. Port Douglas is small and there wasn’t a spare inch on him; he is fit as a flea to lead this field a merry dance. Across The Stars was, quite sensibly, fitted with a hood for the preliminaries and seemed to be taking them well. I wonder why that isn’t more common, since there is no obligation to wear it in the race.
Investec Derby (4.30) betting
5-1 Us Army Ranger, 6-1 Wings of Desire, 8-1 Cloth Of Stars, Harzand, 15-2 Ulysses, 12-1 Massaat, 14-1 Moonlight Magic, Idaho, 16-1 Deauville, Port Douglas, Bar 20-1.
Updated
Investec Corporate Banking ‘Dash’ (3.45) result
1 Caspian Prince (R Winston) 11-1
2 Kimberella (F Tylicki) 10-1
3 Duke of Firenze (D Allan) 6-1
4 Mukaynis (S A Gray) 10-1
5 Blithe Spirit (J F Egan) 33-1
Updated
Investec Corporate Banking ‘Dash’ (3.45)
Here we go ... Hay Chewed leads as we enter the far furlong ... Kimberella makes a fantastic late surge and is neck and neck with Caspian Prince ... it’s a photo finish but it looks like Caspian Prince has nicked it. Kimberella would have won easily but for a terrible start.
Updated
The ‘Dash’ is, er, running late but they should be off any minute now.
Investec Corporate Banking ‘Dash’ (3.45) betting
11-2 Duke of Firenze, 15-2 Maljaa, 10-1 Mukaynis, Kimberella, 11-1 Seeking Magic, 12-1 Caspian Prince, Roudee, 14-1 Harry Hurricane, 16-1 Boom The Groom, 20-1 Monsieur Joe, Hay Chewed, Humidor, 25-1 Normal Equilibrium, Green Door, 33-1 Lathom, 40-1 Blithe Spirit, 66-1 Sandfrajnkkipsgo.
Updated
Race preview: Investec Corporate Banking ‘Dash’ (3.45)
Now comes the race which Richard Hughes thinks is not quite as safe as it should be. It’s the Dash, a mad, 20-runner handicap over five furlongs. I’m on Duke Of Firenze, a previous winner who is now back in form and well drawn but you could make a case for most of the field if you use enough imagination. Will Hayler, formerly of this parish, is all over Hay Chewed, who impressed him with her speed for the first four furlongs at Newmarket last time. This might indeed be the right race for a four-and-a-half-furlong horse. Seeking Magic is in form, although he wiped out half the field on his way to winning at Goodwood last time and we’re all hoping he can keep a bit straighter this time. He has run well without winning in this race for the last four years.
Jockeys continue to report that the going at Epsom rides “tacky” and “holding”, Silvestre de Sousa being the latest to use those words after the Coronation Cup. Race-times and indeed visual impressions also suggest the racing surface is providing a significant test today.
I’m handing over the reins to Rob Smyth now for the Dash and then the build up the Derby. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and the best of luck finding the winner ...
Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup (3.10) result
1 Postponed (Andrea Atzeni) 8-11 Fav
2 Found (R L Moore) 3-1
3 Roseburg (Jack Mitchell) 50-1
8 ran
Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup (3.10)
Loading is commencing for a classy Coronation Cup ... now there’s a delay as Master Carpenter is being reshod ... horses have been losing shoes all day ... going to be ten minutes late ... And they’re off ... Pacemaker Roseberg takes the lead with Arabian Queen in second ... The leader is being ignored by the rest of the field ... but now she’s only a couple of lengths clear ... They have not gone that fast ... Roseberg kicks on into the straight ... Postponed is travelling well and Found too ... Postponed comes up to take the lead and goes easily clear with Found second and the complete outsider Roseberg third.
Updated
While today’s renewal of the Classic is definitely competitive, it can’t quite match the Derby of 1992 on that score. Today’s favourite is likely to start around 5-1. The favourite in 92 was returned at 13-2 as punters struggled to make head or tail of the 18-runner field. They eventually settled on Lester Piggott aboard Rodrigo De Triano, the 2,000 Guineas winner, who let them down with a never-nearer ninth place. The race was won by Dr Devious (8-1), who held on from St Jovite (14-1). Times change in racing but not that quickly; Jim Bolger, John Gosden, Sir Michael Stoute and Andre Fabre all had runners in that Derby and all will be represented again today.
Updated
Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup (3.10) betting
10-11 Postponed, 3-1 Found, 11-2 Simple Verse, 12-1 Arabian Queen, 20-1 Second Step, 40-1 Star Storm, 50-1 Master Carpenter, 100-1 Roseburg.
Race preview: Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup (3.10)
Having got beat with an odds-on shot around this tricky track half an hour ago, I’m about to make the same mistake. Postponed thoroughly deserves to be favourite for this Coronation Cup and, although he hasn’t been tested around here before, he has won at a variety of tracks including Hamilton, which has its tricky points. I like Found but this does not look like her ground. Simple Verse, however, is still improving and unexposed and was giving weight away all round when second on her reappearance run. I can understand if you prefer the 6-1 about her.
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.35) result
1 Epsom Icon (S De Sousa) 8-1
2 Sayana (C Soumillon) 1-2 Fav
3 Rosie Cotton (M Barzalona) 9-1
7 ran
Hmm, a tale of two jockeys in the Princess Elizabeth, I fear. I accept that Sayana has not handled the track as well as one might have hoped but there was no need for Christophe Soumillon to give her so much to do off an unimpressive pace. Meanwhile, Silvestre de Sousa has pinched the prize on Epsom Icon, who was ideally placed to pounce off the home turn. He is an excellent champion and deserves better rides in our most valuable races.
Updated
Son of the trainer reportedly gives so-ahead for Harzand to run in the Derby.
Harzand set to take chance in Investec Derby despite spreading plate on way to course, says Mark Weld, son of trainer Dermot #derby
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) June 4, 2016
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.35)
They’re off ... Loaves And Fishes leads from Merry Me with Sayana plum last ... Not much change on the way to Tattenham Corner ... Leader three lengths clear ... Merry Me takes the lead ... Epsom Icon fights her close ... Epsom Icon takes the lead and Sayana, who never got in the race, finishes best for a well-beaten second.
Updated
Not official yet but first indications are that Harzand will run.
Harzand runs says Team Weld
— Mike Vince (@halo_straight) June 4, 2016
Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.35) Betting
8-13 Sayana, 9-1 Epsom Icon, 10-1 Oakley Girl, Rosie Cotton, 12-1 Merry Me, 16-1 Loaves And Fishes, Persona Grata.
Updated
Race preview: Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.35)
Our next race is a Group Three for fillies and mares which rather lacks quality on the face of it. Sayana, a superbly bred and promising type from France is the hot favourite at 8-11 and, while she has been a late bloomer, it’s hard to see past her. Drying ground might have been an issue for her but the time of the first race, together with the comments of the jockeys who took part in it, suggest the going is barely any better than yesterday.
Updated
Investec Private Banking Handicap (2.00) result
1 Gawdawpalin (K T O’Neill) 25-1
2 Goodwood Zodiac (F Tylicki) 33-1
3 High Grounds (J P Spencer) 16-1
15 ran
9-4 Fav Poet’s Word 4th
Investec Private Banking Handicap (2.00)
They are nearly all in the stalls ... Medburn Dream leads ... favourite Poet’s Word in fifth in the early stages ... On the descent Medburn Dream with Gawdalpin also prominent ... Out of Tattenham Corner ... Gawdalpin leads and goes clear ... Goodwood Zodiac second with High Grounds finishing well into third.
Updated
Investec Private Banking Handicap (2.00) Betting
3-1 Poet’s Word, 9-2 Cartago, 10-1 Medburn Dream, 11-1 Dark Devil, 12-1 Prince Of Arran, 14-1 Bathos, 16-1 Banish, High Grounds, 20-1 Scarlet Dragon, Gawdawpalin, Soldier In Action, 25-1 Champagne City, 33-1 Goodwood Zodiac, Percy Street, 40-1 Finelcity.
Updated
Race preview: Investec Private Banking Handicap (2.00)
There’s no doubting the market’s expectation, here since Poets Word is just 3-1, a short price for what should be a competitive handicap. But he comes from the powerful, in-from yard of Sir Michael Stoute, who has won this three times in the past decade, including with an especially impressive winner last year. Poets Word takes his first step into handicap company here, so his inexperience is something to worry about, but he looks on a very fair weight and the three horses that chased him home last time all won next time out. Cartago represents top handicap form and is the only other runner trading at a single-figure price as I type. When last seen, he was beaten only by Imperial Aviator, who is just 7-1 to win tomorrow’s French Derby.
The last race before the Derby is one of the fastest races run in this country each year, the ‘Dash’, a 20-runner handicap over five furlongs, much of it downhill. It looks a bit scary but of course one imagines that it’s meat and drink to the jockeys involved. How interesting, then, to read the thoughts of Richard Hughes in the Racing Post, wherein he says he is “not convinced [the Dash] is as safe as it should be”. “I’ve gone down that hill at what has felt like 50 miles per hour while being able to see the number cloth of the horse in front of me because he had been turned sideways,” writes Hughes, who retired from the saddle last August as the reigning champion jockey. He would prefer to see fewer runners in the Dash and suggests that some jockeys with fancied Derby rides make a point of not taking part in the sprint. For what it’s worth, neither Ryan Moore nor Frankie Dettori have rides in today’s Dash. I don’t believe Dettori has ever won the race, although Moore bagged it in 2013.
Harzand backers: don’t forget Don’t Forget Me. The 1987 2,000 Guineas winner triumphed at Newmarket but it was a close-run thing as highlighted in the horse’s wiki entry: ‘The colt had suffered an injury to his hoof when losing a shoe on the journey to the course and was only cleared to run at the last moment after undergoing several hours of intensive treatment involving ice packs and a poultice.’
Harzand supporters should 't fret about a foot in a bucket. Just remember Don't Forget Me...
— Tony Coleman (@RuaTrindade) June 4, 2016
You’ll be thinking about what to back in the big race. I have to be honest and say I would be guessing which is partly what makes this year’s running so fascinating. Here is Chris Cook’s horse-by-horse guide to help you out.
Harzand a doubtful runner in the Derby
So of course we have a late injury scare and of course it involves my selection, Harzand. The Irish runner is reported to have spread a plate but it must be slightly more serious than that suggests because the relevant foot (one of his front feet) is apparently being iced and he is said to be “60/40” to take part. All this after he had been about the best-backed horse in the race, down from last night’s 12-1 to a general 8-1. Ugh. More news as we get it but they don’t have to make a final decision for hours yet.
There are reports that one of the best-backed runners for the Derby this week, Harzand, the selection of our own Chris Cook, has spread a plate (no he’s not off his food, that means he has ripped off one of his shoes). The trainer, Dermot Weld, has told Channel 4’s Nick Luck that the horse’s foot is being iced and he is “hopeful” that the colt can line up. Hold those bets … more news when we get it …
Harzand has spread a plate. Having fermentation applied. Sound. 60/40 to run acc D Weld. Will know for sure in 2 hrs.
— Nick Luck (@nickluck) June 4, 2016
Updated
The Queen very rarely misses the Derby but this year she will present the trophy to the winning connections for the first time as part of her 90th birthday celebrations. Here’s fascinating Pathe newsreel coverage of the 1953 Coronation Derby.
Newspaper selections for the Derby
The Dante winner, Wings Of Desire, gets a marginal vote of support from the nation’s press this morning. Here’s how the papers’ tipsters have voted on the most open Derby for many a year (as recorded in the Racing Post’s selections box):
Wings Of Desire 4
Harzand 3
US Army Ranger 2
Massaat 2
Ulysses 2
Moonlight Magic 1
Cloth Of Stars 1
That means almost half the field have been tipped in one of the papers this morning. Good luck, punters!
Big field ... an “anything-can-win” year ... the huge crowds are back now that Saturday has bedded in properly and hot weather (at last). It feels like the days of yore. The first winner I ever had in the Derby was a 50-1 shot (Snow Knight in 1974) which I picked out in the school sweep. I had the Oaks winner the following Saturday too (cries of “fix” went up). Those old British Movietone newsreels are always worth a watch so here we go …
Updated
The ground is one of the big talking points this year. It was pretty testing at Epsom yesterday and Andrew Cooper, the clerk of the course, is reporting the going remains ‘good to soft’ (with no more rain now expected before the big race at 4.30pm). What does that mean to the layperson (clumsy phrasing I know but this is the Guardian)? The turf will be a little squidgy underfoot and you had better make sure your horse is going to be able to stay the trip.
Final walk of @EpsomRacecourse before racing. Will leave as Good to Soft for now. Better side in places. Still overcast.
— Andrew Cooper (@ACooperClerk) June 4, 2016
It felt more like Kempton Park on Boxing Day than flaming June as the crowd assembled for the Oaks here on Friday, but warmer temperatures are forecast for the Derby card this afternoon, which should tempt a six-figure crowd onto the Downs for one of the great spectacles in sport.
If we’re being honest about it, the weather is probably the most significant factor when it comes to the total attendance, as driving rain on Saturday morning is always likely to dampen enthusiasm for an afternoon on a hillside in south-east London. But there is also one of the most intriguing renewals of the Derby for many years in prospect this afternoon, with even the identity of the favourite still clouded in mystery.
A quarter of the 16 runners could end up at the head of the market. Who knows, there could even be four co-favourites if the punters cannot separate US Army Ranger, Cloth Of Stars, Wings Of Desire and Ulysses. At 11am, Frankie Dettori’s mount Wings Of Desire was the narrow favourite at 6-1, with US Army Ranger half a point bigger and Ulysses and Cloth Of Stars at 9-1. If the eventual favourite starts at that price or bigger, it may require a great deal of poring over record books to find the last Derby that was as open as this one.
Everyone who looks at the race will have their own opinion on how it may unfold. I went for Deauville in last weekend’s Observer but that was in the hope that the ground would be quick, and the good-to-soft conditions that have now transpired may not play to his strengths. A nagging feeling that Kieren Fallon may have a role to play remains, however, and 40-1 about Across The Stars looks like a very fair each-way price for what may be the master of Epsom’s final ride in the race.
The ground was definitely a little slower than the official good-to-soft yesterday, no doubt because the overcast conditions stopped the turf drying out as swiftly as it usually would. Andrew Cooper, the clerk of the course, expects it to quicken during the day if the anticipated sunshine and warmer temperatuers arrive, but for the moment, it remains good-to-soft.
“That feels to me like very good ground, as opposed to ground you’d necessarily call good-to-soft,” Cooper said this morning after driving a walking stick into the turf by the winning post on Racing UK. “But you know with all the rain here earlier in the week that the moisture is deep down, and in terms of races and times, it may be just a fraction slower.
“I think we’re anticipating [that it will dry during the day] but the weather has got to happen. It’s got to get up to the 20 degrees that’s being forecast. If it does that, it will dry a bit but the reality is that it will be the slow side of good at the quickest, even if it is improving for the res tof the day.”
Updated
