The Derby - Pinstickers' Guide

Al Zir
Easy winner of first two juvenile starts before losing his unbeaten tag when 3rd to the classy St Nicholas Abbey and Elusive Pimpernel in the Racing Post Trophy (Coordinated Cut well beaten). Adequate seasonal reappearance in this year's 2000 Guineas when 9th after a slow start (Buzzword behind). My ante-post pick last week at 33/1 and should go well if staying the trip. The booking of Fallon is a positive but his draw isn't.
***

At First Sight
Pacemaker for stronger fancied stablemates but there have been worst 200/1 shots than this fella. Could stay there for longer than most think but would need traffic problems behind to last out for a money-finish.
**

Azmeer
Single-figure price in a place which looks very short indeed on what he has achieved. Slight stamina doubts too.
**

Bullet Train
Lingfield isn't the trial it once was and it's difficult to know exactly what Bullet Train achieved when taking this year's race last month. Form prior to that win nowhere near good enough, it's all about how much he has improved.
**

Buzzword
I tipped each-way at 40/1 in the French Guineas so I wasn't surprised to see him run well. I like him but massive stamina concerns here and has form to find with Al Zir.
*

Coordinated Cut
Form of his Newmarket Sales race could not have worked out any poorer and hard to make a case for him reversing Dante form with Workforce.
*

Hot Prospect
Too much form to find with rivals.
*

Jan Vermeer
Grand Criterium winner at two and very impressive under a G1 penalty at the Curragh LTO. Should improve for the trip and obvious chance. Drifting to a reasonable price too.
****

Midas Touch
Done little wrong, relishing the step up in trip in the Derrinstown Stud trial, and should improve further for the extra two furlongs here. Beaten twice by Jan Vermeer but over a mile. Likely to run well, but probably in defeat.
***

Rewilding
Supplemented entry after his impressive Goodwood victory. Previously trained in France and I know very little about him. Dettori's pick so has to be feared but I personally cannot take 7/1 about a horse I know very little about.
***

Ted Spread
Good luck to the small owners here but he makes no appeal. Not a fan of the yard or the trial he won. Ground may be too lively also.
*

Workforce
Coordinated Cut's third place may show up the Dante form but Workforce will undoubtedly come on for that performance. I expect a big run but his improvement is already factored into his price, therefore he is not for me.
***