All eyes will be on Epsom on Saturday afternoon as the bookmakers prepare for one of the biggest gambles in Epsom Derby history when Her Majesty the Queen’s Carlton House lines up as favourite in this year’s famous race.
Sign up with Betfred using bonus code MAXIMUMBONUS, get a free £50 bet with the firm and get your money back if Carlton House wins the 2011 Epsom Derby.
The Dante Stakes hero has been the subject of a royal gamble since his victory in the Derby’s most influential trial and thousands of racing fans will wait to see whether Sir Michael Stoute’s colt can recover from a slightly swollen ankle suffered on Monday.
The superstar is certainly in the right hands and punters can be sure that he wouldn’t be taking his chance unless Stoute and jockey Ryan Moore thought it was right to let him do so. There is no doubt he appears to have the ability to taste Classic success on only his fourth start, but there are plenty of chinks in his armour and there is a tendency to think that this year’s Dante might not be the finest trial to approach with maximum faith.
Run at a crawl in a messy trip on the Knavesmire, Carlton House quickened past his rivals impressively but the likes of Seville and World Domination were never going to have the pace to go with him after such a slowly run race and it will be interesting to see whether he is as explosive over a proper gallop.
Instead, a chance is taken on hugely talented Irish raider Recital who remains at the centre of a huge 11th hour courtroom drama. Aidan O’Brien’s colt will not find out if he is going to be ridden by Kieran Fallon until 9am on Saturday morning after connections of Epsom rival Native Khan appealed for an injunction to prevent Fallon from riding against their horse.
It is believed Pat Smullen will take the ride on the 9/2 second favourite if Fallon is forced to miss the race but whoever is in the saddle on Saturday afternoon will have to be at their very best if they are going to lead Recital to glory in the Group One.
If there will ever be a horse that divides opinion it appears to be Recital who has failed to convince ante post punters with his performances this season. A Group One-winning juvenile, the son of Montjeu was turned over in the Ballysax Stakes in April before he landed O’Brien’s key Derby trial, the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
His victory last month prompted many horse racing pundits to question Recital’s ability to handle the famous undulations of Epsom racecourse and the way he hung into the rail and carried his head high at Leopardstown were clearly slightly worrying.
However, he did win the race with plenty to spare and the ease with which he moved past his two stablemates was mightily impressive. He seems to have talent in abundance and he could be good enough to topple Carlton House in an enthralling renewal of the famous race.
O’Brien is clearly excited by the prospect of his horse and Fallon has stressed that Recital was having to deal with a strong headwind when he appeared to be doing all he could to lose the race at Leopardstown. It seems fair to say he was never going to get beaten once he hit the front and the awkwardness shown by Montjeu colts has often been complimented with a rare brilliance. That could well be the case with Recital and if he can handle the track he will be a serious danger to all on Saturday afternoon.
Those looking to oppose the favourite should consider betting with Betfred, who will be offering all new customers their money back if Carlton House wins the 2011 Derby.
Nick Wilby’s selection – Recital (9/2,
Betfred – money back if Carlton House wins)
