'He's a boy, and he knows he is' - lack of big crowd will aid Al Aasy at Epsom

William Haggas believes red-hot Coronation Cup favourite Al Aasy should have no problems handling the unique demands of Epsom in the Group 1 contest on Friday week.

The Shadwell Estate-owned colt is an even-money shot for his first run at Epsom after producing one of the performances of the season when cantering all over his rivals in the Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury to follow up his easy comeback win in another Group 3 at the same course.

Coronation Cup racecard and betting

Although Epsom presents an altogether different test, Haggas says the absence of a big crowd – with the two-day Cazoo Derby meeting limited to 4,000 spectators on each day – should work in the enthusiastic Al Aasy's favour.

"You're not quite sure how they're going to act round there, but he's a well-balanced horse and a good mover and I don't see why he won't," said Haggas.

"He's a boy, and he knows he is, and I'm glad there aren't going to be 50,000 people there. We'll be wary of the occasion, but once he gets out and gets going I think he'll be fine.

"His best form has come with cut in the ground and he has the potential to be a very good horse. The style of his win, beating a Leger winner [Logician] giving him 3lb last time, was very good and he'll have a good chance at Epsom if all goes well."

Haggas won the Derby and the Oaks with his first runners in those Classics – Shaamit (1996) and Dancing Rain (2011) – and holds one of the Derby aces in impressive Listed Newmarket Stakes winner Mohaafeth, who is a general 8-1 chance.

Haggas said on Wednesday: "Jim [Crowley] rode him on the Rowley Mile racecourse this morning when he worked with Ilaraab and Faylaq and he went very nicely on ground which was surprisingly soft.

"It was a tough piece of work, which it was designed to be, and hopefully we'll have an easy time of it until next Saturday.

"He's a top-of-the-ground horse and if it's soft I'll be very keen not to run and wait for Ascot, but if it's good or faster we're up for it big time.

"He's a strong, mature horse who is quite well balanced and he's got a lot in his favour in an open Derby."

Mohaafeth (near side) and Jim Crowley work on the Rowley Mile with Ilaraab (Tom Marquand) and Faylaq (Cieren Fallon)

The Newmarket trainer's Classic challenge has been depleted with Sandown Classic Trial winner Alenquer missing the Derby and Sea Empress ruled out of the Oaks.

"Alenquer had a little blip before the Dante and although he's on his way back, he's going to miss the Derby," Haggas said.

"I think we'll go for the King Edward VII [at Royal Ascot] and we have the option of supplementing him for the Irish Derby. I had my heart set on the German Derby as he's by German-bred stallion Adlerflug, but England is on the red list over there."

Cazoo Derby racecard and betting

Sea Empress, whose Oaks price ranged between 12-1 and 20-1, failed to earn a crack at Epsom after managing only sixth in a Listed trial at Newbury this month.

"I'm not planning to run her in the Oaks as I don't think she did enough at Newbury and we're likely to take her out of the race on Saturday," Haggas said.

"There are still lots of options for her and she could still go to Ireland, and I'm sure there's a decent filly there somewhere. She might go to Chelmsford next week for a mile-and-a-quarter novice and we'll look at something a bit bigger if she gets her career back on track."

If you want more on the Derby meeting:

Derby and Oaks clues aplenty as leading trainer holds his own trials morning (Members' Club)

Varian expecting Oaks contender Teona to come home strong in first-time hood

'Let's go and do our best' – Saffron Beach confirmed for Cazoo Oaks bid

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