Vadamar looks lively outsider for France

THE DERBY
OLDHAM Evening Chronicle racing correspondent Keith McHugh’s ratings are on a 0-5 scale and are given in brackets.

CARLTON HOUSE (5): From a stable which has sent out five Derby winners, including Workforce last year, this colt has all the right qualities needed to land this great prize. Travels well, can quicken and appears to stay well and has the best jockey on board in Ryan Moore. Must take the world of beating if all is well with him.

CASTLEMORRIS KING (0): Lucky to get a zero. Hopefully, he won’t get in the way.

MARHABA MALYOON (1): Won his only start as a juvenile, but looked too backward to do himself justice when last of six in the Lingfield Derby Trial and will be a better colt later in the season.

MASKED MARVEL (2): Impressed when winning a notable Derby trial at Goodwood and is no forlorn hope. His overall profile suggests he may fall short of top-class, however, so better to look elsewhere for the winner.

MEMPHIS TENNESEE (2): Chased home stable companion Recital in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, but was always well held and, while likely to run well, is unlikely to turn the tables.

NATIVE KHAN (3): Boasts some excellent form, including a third to the brilliant Frankel in the 2,000 Guineas. Well fancied by some shrewd judges, but Kieren Fallon has deserted him for Recital and, I suspect, he shares my veiw that stamina is a serious problem for this grey colt.

OCEAN WAR (2): Won a Listed race at Newmarket in good style last time and is likely to relish this two furlongs’ step up in trip. That said, I would be surprised if he was classy enough to trouble the principals.

PISCO SOUR (2): Ran above expectations to be third to Carlton House in a slowly-run Dante. Could go well again, but others look stronger.

POUR MOI (3): Has some decent form in France and his trainer, Andre Fabre, is a master craftsman barring his record in this race. Plenty short enough in the betting, but dangerous to dimiss.

RECITAL (4): Kieren Fallon believes this colt will win, and he might well be right. Produced Group 1 winning form as a juvenile and won the major Irish trial in decent style. Hung right that day, which would be a worry with the Epsom camber in mind.

SEVILLE (4): Second to Carlton House at York, but there is no obvious reason why he should turn the tables even though the trainer’s runners always improve for their first run. Stamina not an issue and highly likely to be in the mix.

TREASURE BEACH (2): Won the Chester Vase in workmanlike fashion and looks an honest colt who will continue to thrive. This race looks a step too far, though.

VADAMAR (3): Many shrewd judges in France believe this colt to be superior to Pour Moi, who beat him in the recent Prix Greffhulhe at Saint-Cloud. The step up to a mile and half will suit admirably and he is much the best outsider.