Jan’s the man for Murtagh

DERBY: JAN VERMEER, who has replaced his injured stable companion St Nicholas Abbey at the head of the Investec Derby betting, is the one they all have to beat in tomorrow’s colts’ Classic at Epsom.

Chronicle racing correspondent Keith McHugh’s verdict on all the runners, with 0-5 ratings, is:

AL ZIR (2): Looked good on his first two starts as a juvenile, but was put in his place by St Nicholas Abbey when third in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster. Should not be disgraced, but has plenty to do.

AT FIRST SIGHT (0): Set the pace when third to stable companion Midas Touch last time and likely to perform a similar role for the Aidan O’Brien team.

AZMEEL (3): Won the Dee Stakes at Chester in convincing fashion. The extra two furlongs of the Derby leave a slight question mark over his stamina, but this son of Azamour ought to stay and run a solid race.

BULLET TRAIN (3): Had the run of the race when making all to win the Lingfield Derby Trial, but had been beaten by a now-exposed filly on his previous start and I suspect he will find one or two too classy.

BUZZWORD (2): Supplemented for this after finishing a staying-on fourth in the French 2000 Guineas. The extra distance of this race may bring some improvement and he could go well at a big price.

COORDINATED CUT (3): Beaten by Cape Blanco and Workforce in the Dante, this colt will be ridden with more patience tomorrow, but I see no reason why he should reverse the placings with York runner-up Workforce.

HOT PROSPECT (1): Well beaten by Bullet Train at Lingfield and likely to finish nearer last than first.

JAN VERMEER (5): Won a top race in France as a juvenile and, despite carrying a seven-pound penalty for that success, cruised to victory in his Derby trial at the Curragh 12 days ago. Has plenty of class and looks sure to stay the extra two furlongs of tomorrow’s race. Johnny Murtagh’s choice of three Ballydoyle raiders, he is a worthy favourite.

MIDAS TOUCH (4): Impressed when winning the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown and should be even better over the extra quarter-mile of tomorrow’s test. Twice behind Jan Vermeer as a juvenile and may have to settle for minor honours again.

REWILDING (3): The mount of the ever-popular Frankie Dettori, he is one of three Godolphin hopes. Trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, who is making a name for himself during his first season in Newmarket, Rewilding was impressive in beating second-raters at Goodwood and while he will face much classier types here, he could well be in the mix.
TED SPREAD (2): Improving colt who showed stamina to be his long suit when winning the Chester Vase last time. Strikes me as more of a St Leger type and is likely to lack the tactical speed needed to get himself into the shake-up.

WORKFORCE (4): Spreadeagled his field when making a winning debut as a juvenile at Goodwood and was expected by his stable to win the Dante Stakes at York on his reappearance. However, things didn’t go according to plan, the colt’s bit slipping through his mouth and giving jockey Ryan Moore steering problems. Remains a colt of huge potential and trainer Sir Michael Stoute would not be running a horse of so little experience if he did not believe him to be up to it.