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'He will probably be put away for the Derby' - Nahanni another Appleby contender

The 2022 Flat season is picking up pace and it is full steam ahead to the first of the Classics – the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket – on April 30 and May 1 respectively.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Our Classic Clues series, which runs every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of the action on Tuesday and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Wednesday.


Tuesday was a busy day for the make up of some of the Classic races, while the acceptors for the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas and entries for the Dante were revealed.

There were no major market moves as most of those at the head of the betting stood their ground with Native Trail and Inspiral still strong favourites for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively.

Of the notable absentees Modern Games and Wexford Native were among 32 horses to be scratched from the 2,000 Guineas, while 30 runners, including Sacred Bridge, Agartha and Jumbly, were removed from the 1,000.

Market moves

Cazoo Derby
Nahanni introduced at 25-1

Cazoo Oaks
Life Of Dreams 8-1 (from 10-1)

Red-hot combination add another contender to Classic picture

Nahanni completed a hat-trick in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. After his success in the Listed contest, the Godolphin-owned three-year-old earned quotes of 25-1 for the Cazoo Derby.

EPSOM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: William Buick riding Nahanni (blue) win The Cazoo Blue Riband Trial at Epsom Racecourse on April 19, 2022 in Epsom, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Nahanni (blue): added his name to the Classic picture on TuesdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

It added to the growing collection of Classic trial wins for Buick who struck with Native Trail, Wild Beauty and Cachet last week. Buick's assessment after the race was that Nahanni "handled the track, which is key" suggesting connections liked what they saw.

Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam revealed that the colt would likely not be seen until the Derby on June 4 and he should be prepped to go well.

Nahanni to bid for Derby glory after continuing red-hot Appleby and Buick form

What they said

Alex Merriam, assistant trainer of Nahanni
We always knew he was going to get a mile and a half and it was just nice to see him handle the track. He's had four runs and will probably be put away for the Derby. We're a long way out and he gets an entry after winning, but there's lots of water to be crossed.

All eyes on... Bellewstown

Sun King is a 66-1 shot for the Cazoo Derby. He is one of 15 horses trained by Aidan O'Brien in next month's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes and he holds a Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby entry to boot. In short, this is clearly a horse the bright minds at Ballydoyle think has Classic potential, for all the Sir Robert Ogden homebred is a four-raced maiden.

He is a full brother, by Galileo no less, to three Listed performers and on his comeback at Navan last month he bumped into Jim Bolger's debutant Wexford Native - who holds entries in the Amethyst Stakes, Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby - so is clearly well regarded and seen as a speedier type. Sun King is already rated 92 and chased home subsequent Vertem Futurity Trophy runner-up Sissoko on his final start at two.

Given the way his sire's progeny thrive for a step up in trip it is interesting O'Brien sticks to the mile here and he is worth keeping an eye on in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden (4.05 Bellewstown).

The other race of note this afternoon when it comes to clues for future Group 1 contests, albeit not over Classic trips, is the Group 3 Prix Sigy (3.27 Chantilly) over 5½f. Suesa won last year's renewal en route to going off favourite for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and although she disappointed there, finishing eighth, she did prove herself and land the King George at Glorious Goodwood. It is a race that could certainly have an impact on top sprints throughout the summer.

'It's all systems go' - Perfect Power gets green light for 2,000 Guineas bid

How the markets look

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, April 30)

bet365: 5-4 Native Trail, 7-2 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 11 Perfect Power, 12 Point Lonsdale, 14 Dubawi Legend, 20 Checkandchallenge, 25 bar

Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, May 1)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Inspiral, 4 Tenebrism, 9 Discoveries, 10 Homeless Songs, Tuesday, 12 Zellie, 14 Malavath, Cachet, 16 Rosacea, Mise En Scene, Sacred Bridge, Sandrine, Wild Beauty, 20 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Paddy Power: 4 Tuesday, 5 Inspiral, 8 Life Of Dreams, 9 Agave, 12 Concert Hall, 16 Above The Curve, 20 Toy, Eclat Du Lumiere, Magical Lagoon, Over The Rainbow, History, 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom. June 4)

William Hill: 5-2 Luxembourg, 10 New London, Reach For The Moon, Point Lonsdale, 12 Native Trail, 14 Walk Of Stars, Antarah, 16 Coroebus, 20 bar


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