What a great race this is lining up to be. I haven’t got a clue how to pick the winner of it and the two supplementary entries (I fancied both a bit, but odds not enticing enough) large field (again great) and risk of rain have made it even harder.
I’m hoping for an outsider as I see no point in backing one of the favourites with so many unknown factors. I have backed Tornado Alert at 100/1 and Nightwalker 110/1, but slightly gone off the latter. I’m being told Stall 11 has never won the Derby, so I thought whoever got it I would back, as that is an example of a useless stat, when 10, I think has won about 11 times. Tornado Alert got it, so I may back him again. I may also add Tennessee Stud to my list.
The one I kept being drawn to though is Tuscan Hills. Won on soft over 1m as a 2yo and interesting choice of courses for his 2 runs as a 2 yo. Tight track at Thirsk, undulations at Pontefract. Travelled nicely in Dante and looked a threat before fading tamely in last 2f. I’m hoping he’s another King of Steel. I think he’s still about 80/1, so he’s my “gun to your head” choice.