Derby contender Eydon 'not a guaranteed starter' warns Roger Varian

Imposing Derby contender got a feel for Epsom's famous undulations on Monday morning, but Roger Varian was quick to warn punters his participation in the Cazoo-sponsored Classic is not certain.

Varian was on hand to watch David Egan work Prince Faisal's homebred at the Cazoo Derby gallops morning, although stressed the 550kg colt, a winner of the Listed Feilden Stakes before a fine fourth in the 2,000 Guineas, could be rerouted to the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly a day after Epsom on Sunday week.

The Newmarket trainer said: "His work looked very good and very smooth and I was pleased with what I saw, although I feel the feedback from a jockey is more important on a gallops day like this and David was very upbeat and happy.

David Egan (red cap) gets a feel off Eydon at Epsom on Monday morningCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"It's worth noting he's still in the Jockey Club and he's not a guaranteed Epsom starter. He'll be left in both races and it could be a late call.

"Prince Faisal will decide and we'll digest this morning and see how he comes out of his work. The Jockey Club is the day after the Derby so it's a lovely position to be in. He's in both races and we don't have to alter his training regime and we have the luxury of making a late call. We're hopeful he'll get ten furlongs in France or a mile and a half here, but he's shown very good form on fast ground at Newmarket and horses don't handle those undulations unless they really enjoy it. Never mind trip or opposition, if one looked like being quick and one soft we'd go for the better ground."

Either way, Varian is sugar-sweet on Eydon and added: "He's an incredible-looking horse. I think he's a contender whichever race we go for. He's about as chilled out a horse as I've ever come across. I've been impressed with some of the Derby trial winners, but I think it's very different form to what he did in the Guineas and it confirms his class, while you learn down the line about the Derby trials; I don't think anyone can argue how strong that 2,000 Guineas was."

Rob Hornby is at the controls on the Ralph Beckett-trained WestoverCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

, successful in Sandown's Classic Trial, also impressed when moving under Rob Hornby and Ralph Beckett said: "I thought it was good work and it was all positive because these things can go the wrong way."

The trainer, whose contender is between 14-1 and 20-1 for the Derby, added: "I think he's got a genuine chance of being in the mix. Do I think he can win? That would be a big shout, but he can definitely be in the first four."

West Wind Blows (left), an outsider for the Derby, gallops under Jack MitchellCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Another horse to take part in the event was 50-1 outsider , a Teofilo colt out of West Wind, who won the Prix de Diane in 2007.

He is trained by Ed Crisford and his father Simon, who said: "He's short on experience, but is coming to himself and his work there was very pleasing.

"He's got an outstanding pedigree, a Classic pedigree, and will stay the mile and a half without any question. We don't know if he's good enough, but I think there's a lot of improvement to come. He's a quality horse with plenty of talent, although we'd have preferred more match practice."

Cazoo Derby: racecard, entries and betting

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)

Coral: 2 Desert Crown, 5-2 Stone Age, 7 Piz Badile, 15-2 Changingoftheguard, 10 Nations Pride, 12 United Nations, Star Of India, 14 Walk Of Stars, Westover, 16 Eydon, Nahanni, 25 bar

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