Hampton Court Stakes: Keith Melrose surveys the Derby hopefuls in classy Group 3

Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2f | 3yo | ITV/SKY

Being in the transposed equivalent of the Dante's slot on the calendar, it might have been expected that the Hampton Court would do a better impression of as a pop-up Derby trial than its final field would suggest.

Which is not to downplay the promise of the runners. It is just that in some of the more conspicuous cases, they are being pointed in the rough direction of Epsom by way of a second chance. Favourite Juan Elcano ran a fine race in the Guineas, while leaving the impression that top-level success will not come his way at a mile.

Juan Elcano brought up the rear in a group of five that broke clear in the 2000 Guineas. He had the rail to help all the way, but also seemed a little uncoordinated coming out of the dip so it would be rash to imagine he was flattered to any meaningful extent. He is not quite Group 1 class at a mile and, given on-course clues as well as his pedigree, he should stay at least this far.

Kenzai Warrior: bidding for redemption after disappointing at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

The other Guineas runner is Kenzai Warrior, ninth at Newmarket. He will definitely benefit from the trip, being stoutly bred on his dam's side (his sire Karakontie was a miler and few of his progeny have tried this far yet) and having looked to have plenty of stamina at two.

A few of the others are more typical Derby trial types. Russian Emperor was seemingly the chosen one from the Aidan O'Brien yard in the Derrinstown, and was probably let down by not being asked to challenge soon enough. He will do better, particularly as his stamina is teased out. He would have been a slightly stronger fancy in the King Edward VII, in all honesty, but is one to watch.

Berlin Tango is another running in his second big trial race. He won the Classic Trial, at Kempton this year, on his first start beyond a mile. A look at his pedigree is enough to confirm impressions that the trip was behind his improvement. Like Kenzai Warrior, he carries a penalty, so further improvement is an all-but-certain prerequisite.
Unless it is decided that New World Tapestry will make the pace for stablemate Russian Emperor, the pace is likely to come from King Carney, the only habitual front runner in the race. His two wins have both come from the front on soft ground.

Watch out for what Frankie Dettori does on First Receiver. That colt was impressive from the front at Kempton earlier in the month. Expect Dettori to keep a close eye on Danny Tudhope aboard King Carney, as the option could be there for First Receiver to race right on the speed in an attempt to control things.
Keith Melrose, betting editor

On the trail of another French Derby

Kevin Ryan is hoping that history can continue to repeat itself when Juan Elcano returns to action on Wednesday.

In 2014 the trainer had The Grey Gatsby run a big race at 66-1 in the 2,000 Guineas then step up in trip to score a Grou-race success in the Dante before following up in the Prix du Jockey Club.

Six years on, fellow 66-1 shot Juan Elcano did even better at Newmarket, finishing fifth behind Kameko, and also has Chantilly in his sights.

He has a first crack at 1m2f here rather than at York but his trainer is confident the son of Frankel will improve for the extra quarter of a mile.

"I'm very much looking forward to Juan Elcano stepping up to ten furlongs," Ryan said. "It should be the ideal trip for him.

"This was the logical path after the Guineas, he's come out of that race really fresh and he's in great form.

"He was a big price at Newmarket but his two-year-old form was very solid and he was quite a raw horse then – we expected a big run in the Guineas."

By contrast, Juan Elcano was made favourite for the Hampton Court when entries closed and Ryan said: "I'm not surprised. The Guineas is the best trial for anything."

What they say

Roger Teal, trainer of Kenzai Warrior
He's on a recovery mission and I hope it'll go better than the Guineas, which was a bit of a disaster, and he can redeem himself. My heart sunk after a couple of seconds there but Jason Watson didn't give him a hard time and he's come out of it fine. The step up to ten furlongs shouldn't be a bother to him, I'm confident he'll stay.

John Warren, racing manager to the Queen, owner of First Receiver
Sir Michael has always been keen on First Receiver, who has worked like a Stakes horse at home. We think the conditions are right and he is a progressive sort who is now mature enough to show us what class he actually is.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of King Carney
You can put a line through his run at Lingfield as the ground was rattling quick and the early fractions were stupid, he had no chance of getting home. This will suit him much better, ten furlongs round Ascot with a bit of ease on the ground, and Danny Tudhope knows him well, having won on him at Pontefract last year, so he could outrun his price.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of New World Tapestry & Russian Emperor
Russian Emperor ran well at Leopardstown. We were happy with him there and hopefully he can run a nice race again. Adam [Kirby] rode New World Tapestry in the Guineas and he just said that he thought stepping him up in trip might suit him and that this race could be a good option for him.

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