Camelot, named after a mythical castle, can continue the creation of his own legend by winning the Investec Derby (4.00) at Epsom today.
Unbeaten in three starts, Camelot has already landed the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. If successful in the blue riband, his connections have intimated that Camelot will then attempt to become the first colt since the brilliant Nijinsky, in 1970, to complete the Triple Crown.
That prospect can come closer to fruition today, as Camelot faces just eight rivals in the smallest Derby field since 1907.
It is hard to pick holes in Camelot’s chance. Winner of a maiden at Leopardstown on his debut, he was immediately stepped up to group one company for his only subsequent juvenile start in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in the autumn.
He cruised to victory there and, while he had to work much harder to master French Fifteen by a neck on his reappearance in the 2,000 Guineas, the unusually slow early pace of that contest would not have brought his stamina into play. A son of Montjeu, who has already sired three Derby winners, Camelot should relish this first attempt at a mile and a half.
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The fact that he is ridden by Joseph O’Brien, son of trainer Aidan, is not a negative despite his young rider’s relative inexperience of Epsom.
The 19-year-old gave Camelot a ride of great maturity in the 2,000 Guineas, producing him with a well-timed challenge to lead close home. That was his first British classic success, but he has also landed two Irish classics and a Breeders’ Cup Turf during his short career.
Aidan O’Brien has drawn a blank in the Derby since saddling Galileo and High Chaparral to victory in 2001 and 2002. He has had a remarkable 39 runners since then, which have included five runners-up, and it looks significant that he has whittled down his team to just two on this occasion.
Camelot has been the subject of much hype in the past year, but for once it looks as though the tall reputation is justified.
The main threat could be Bonfire, a first runner in the race for Andrew Balding, whose father, Ian, landed the Derby with Mill Reef in 1971. Balding won the 2003 Oaks with Casual Look, his only runner in the fillies’ classic, and is not one to overface his horses.
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Bonfire won the Dante Stakes at York in determined fashion from Ektihaam. The Dante has been the best Derby trial in recent years, with North Light (2004), Motivator (2005) and Authorized (2007) scoring on the Knavesmire before following up at Epsom. Bonfire remains open to improvement after only three starts and is worthy of respect.
Thought Worthy suffered his only defeat when runner-up to Imperial Monarch in desperate conditions at Sandown Park in April. He has since returned to winning ways with a game defeat of Noble Mission at Newmarket and, as a brother to Lucarno, the St Leger winner, is sure to relish this stiffer test of stamina.
Main Sequence is unbeaten in four starts and coped with a jump from handicaps to group company when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial. He tends to do no more than required, idling when hitting the front, so it is hard to know how much more he has to offer. He is no forlorn hope, but his tendency to flash his tail is a niggle and he will need to take another step forward to challenge.
Astrology, O’Brien’s second string, won the Dee Stakes at Chester by 11 lengths and should have no problems with today’s longer trip. He was beaten twice as a juvenile but he is beautifully bred and looks to have improved physically since last year.
Big-priced Derby winners are a rarity but outsiders regularly make the frame and those looking for an each-way bet at big odds should consider Rugged Cross. He might have needed the run when a length third to Thought Worthy at Newmarket on his return and will appreciate this step up in distance. The 50-1 offered against him, which equates to place odds of 10-1, makes some appeal.