Market leader English King heads seventeen entries for Saturday’s Epsom Derby

The mile-and-a-half Classic finds itself in an unusual position on the calendar this year, coming a month later than normal and after both Royal Ascot and the Irish Derby, because of the late start to the campaign.

That will not matter one iota to the winning connections come this weekend, though – and for Ed Walker, trainer of Lingfield Derby Trial winner English King, it would be the realisation of a childhood ambition.

“Anyone who says they don’t think about winning the Derby is surely lying,” said Walker.

“I’ve been thinking about it since I discovered horse racing when I was 13 years old, so of course you think about it in this position.

“It would be a great day if it happened.

Aidan O’Brien had considered turning Irish Derby winner Santiago out again quickly after he added to his Royal Ascot win at the Curragh, but his name was not on the list.

Instead the seven possible Ballydoyle runners are another Ascot winner in Russian Emperor, Irish Guineas runner-up Vatican City, Mogul, Amhran Na Bhfiann, Armory, Mythical and Serpentine.

Andrew Balding’s Kameko was a clear-cut winner of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and he takes a leap up in trip, with stablemate and Goodwood winner Khalifa Sat also set to take his chance.

Pyledriver, Highland Chief, Emissary, Gold Maze, Max Vega, Mohican Heights and Worthily complete the 17.

Love, winner of the 1000 Guineas, heads 11 entries for the Investec Oaks at Epsom the same day. The daughter of Galileo has headed the ante-post market since her impressive victory by four and a quarter lengths over the Rowley Mile.

O’Brien’s other fillies in the mix are the Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Peaceful, Ennistymon and Passion, who were second and third respectively in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Ascot.

Love’s main market rival is the Ribblesdale winner Frankly Darling, trained by John Gosden. Tiempo Vuela is a second entry from the Gosden stable.

Roger Varian has Gold Wand and Queen Daenerys, while the 11 is completed by Bharani Star (Peter Chapple-Hyam), Dubai Love (Saeed bin Suroor) and Oriental Mystique (David Simcock).

Owners will be allowed to attend race meetings from July 4, the British Horseracing Authority has announced, so those involved at Epsom should see their horses run.

Tests events will be staged this week to see how well new protocols will work, but should all go smoothly, those involved in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday will be allowed to see their horses run.

Attendance will be limited to two owners per horse and they will be restricted to specific “owner zones” in line with current government guidance.

The plans have been agreed by the Racecourse Association (RCA), Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

The two test fixtures will be Southwell and Kempton on Wednesday and owners will be notified via email about how to register once their horse is declared to run.

The protocols are only to be applied in England at this stage, but the BHA statement added: “British racing continues to engage with the Scottish and Welsh Governments about the return of owners for behind closed doors fixtures”.

Not all racecourses will be able to accommodate owners immediately as some remain subject to local authority clearance and operational restrictions.

A guidance document listing all protocols that must be followed has been produced and is available to all owners.

Among the measures which must be followed is a health-screening process which includes a Covid-19 learning module, followed by a health assessment and temperature check on arrival.

Owners are also to arrive no earlier than 45 minutes before their horse runs and leave within an hour of their race.

The BHA’s chief medical adviser, Dr Jerry Hill, said: “As with our wider approach to resumption, the return of owners is predicated on a phased, risk-managed plan, which establishes infection control protocols that are essential for the safe continuation of racing during the ongoing Covid-19 situation.

“These include pre-entry screening for owners and segregated areas to facilitate social distancing at no closer than two metres - measures that prioritise the safety of our attendees, are consistent with government guidance for elite sports fixtures behind closed doors, and are supported by the UK Government.”

RCA chief executive, David Armstrong, added: “We are delighted to be able to welcome back owners to the racecourse, albeit in limited numbers for now.

“Owners are critical to our sport and their patience and support during lockdown has been vital.

“The special measures that are set out in the new protocols should enable owners to enjoy the racing experience again but to do so in a safe and responsible fashion.”

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