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2022 Cazoo Derby pinstickers' guide: quotes and ratings for every horse

Desert Crown (left) and Stone Age face off in the Cazoo Derby
Desert Crown (left) and Stone Age face off in the Cazoo Derby

A classy field of 17 go to post for one of Flat racing's most important races, but who will come out on top? Read our runner-by-runner guide featuring top trainer quotes and star ratings for the big race live on ITV at 4.30 on Saturday.

4.30 Epsom Saturday: Cazoo Derby (In Memory of Lester Piggott) card and betting


1 Changingoftheguard

Star rating: ***

Upset an odds-on favourite when making all in the Chester Vase last month and is fitted with cheekpieces for his bid to make it three from three in 2022 here.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer: "I'm very happy with him and he is a very straightforward horse to deal with. It was always the plan to take our time with him last season. Hopefully he will be fine from that draw."

2 Desert Crown

Star rating: ****

Has been favourite for this ever since he won the Dante Stakes at York on just his second appearance last month and the unbeaten colt has plenty more improvement in him.

Sir Michael Stoute, trainer:"We were at York just in time with him and he'll be going to the Derby as the most inexperienced we've ever sent. He's a nice athlete with a good attitude. He's done nothing wrong on the racecourse and is workmanlike rather than spectacular at home which you get sometimes."

3 El Habeeb

Star rating: *

Rank outsider who beat one home when making his debut in Listed company at Newmarket last month and is asked an even stiffer question here.

Stan Moore, trainer: "We'll ride him to run his race – it's not like he's rated 40, and who knows? There have been 25-1 and 40-1 winners in the last few years."

4 Glory Daze

Star rating: *

The Leopardstown Derby Trial runner-up will be suited by this step up to 1m4f but has five and a half lengths to make up on the winner Stone Age.

Andy Oliver, trainer:"He's in good form and all is well with him. He's a big horse and he'll appreciate some kindness in the ground. He's very versatile."

5 Grand Alliance

Star rating: *

Progressing with every run and went close here last time, but needs to step up markedly on the form of that second place in the Blue Riband Trial in April.


2022 Cazoo Derby: the runners, the odds, the verdict


Danny Tudhope, rider: "I rode Grand Alliance when he won at Doncaster. He was a bit quirky that day and hung across the track, but he's quite a lazy, laid-back horse and he'll be grand. He's run around Epsom before too, which is a help."

6 Hoo Ya Mal

Star rating: *

The Newmarket Stakes runner-up has no less than seven lengths to find with comfortable winner Nations Pride.

Federico Barberini, racing and bloodstock manager for owner Ahmad Al Shaikh:"He's run well enough in both of his starts this season when he's been beaten by good horses. They were a good preparation for the Derby. He won't mind what the ground is."

7 Masekela

Star rating: **

Withdrawn from the Dante Stakes after getting upset in the stalls, and his previous efforts leave him with something to find here.

Jason Watson, rider: "We are going into the race unknown about the trip, but he should stay no problem. I know he is going to be stepping up half a mile, but his pedigree on the dam's side suggests that he should stay and we are all hopeful."

8 Nahanni

Star rating: ***

Represents last year's winning trainer and jockey and, like Adayar 12 months ago, he's slipped under the radar. Has won his last three starts and should not be underestimnated.

Charlie Appleby, trainer: "Nahanni is a horse going in there with no pressure on him at all. Adam Kirby knows his way around this course and distance blindfolded and the horse ticks a lot of boxes, having won the Blue Riband here over a mile and a quarter. He was doing all of his best work in the last half a mile that day and he is a willing horse with a willing rider on."

9 Nations Pride

Star rating: ****

William Buick's chosen ride from three Godolphin contenders and was supplemented at a cost of £75,000 having romped to a seven-length win at Newmarket in April.

Charlie Appleby, trainer: "I was pleased with the way he put condition on from Dubai to his first run back at Newmarket, which he won in a pleasing manner. We saw in that performance at Newmarket that they went a sensible gallop before he went through the gears and he was at his most impressive in the last furlong so this trip hopefully should be fine for him."

10 Piz Badile

Star rating: ****

Frankie Dettori bids for a third Derby triumph on a colt from the family of Oaks winner Light Shift, who made it two wins from just three starts when leading close home in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer: "He's in good form. Everything has gone well since Leopardstown. We think the step up in trip will suit and we're hoping for a good run."

11 Royal Patronage

Star rating: **

Workforce went from second place in the Dante to first in the Derby, but this colt has more than three lengths to make up with Desert Crown from York, for all that he's from the family of Shahrastani and should be suited by this test.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing: "All the signals have been very good. Both Charlie and Mark [Johnston] couldn't be happier with him. I think he's such a big price [33-1] because he was so well beaten by Desert Crown in the Dante. The Derby is the Derby. A mile and a half could be right up our street – he's bred to stay – and his proven form on the track counts for plenty. Let's just hope he can get into a good rhythm. We've a great team of owners going and we're all looking forward to it immensely."

12 Sonny Liston

Star rating: ***

Shaped better than the result suggests when third in the Dee Stakes at Chester last month and is a first Derby runner for Charlie Hills, whose father Barry had four horses finish second in the race.

Charlie Hills, trainer: "I'm very pleased with him. Any rain won't worry him. He's got a nice draw next to the favourite, and he should stay the trip nicely. We'll give it a go and hope for a bit of luck."

13 Star Of India

Star rating: ***

Looked still to be learning when scoring his second win in just three starts in the Dee Stakes last month and has more improvement in him.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer: "I'm very happy with Star Of India. The last day we stepped him up in trip and it appeared to suit him. He seemed to get it really well and I'm sure he will get further."

14 Stone Age

Star rating: ***

Looks the Ballydoyle first string after winning the Leopardstown Derby Trial by five and a half lengths last month and is Ryan Moore's choice from the yard's three runners.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer: "We've been happy with his two runs this year and he seems to be in good form at home. We think he has come forward from his last run and we are looking forward to it. He has never run beyond a mile and a quarter, but he is a good traveller and there is a good chance that he looks like he will get further."

15 Walk Of Stars

Star rating: ***

Beaten favourite for the Lingfield Derby Trial last month, but looked still to be green that day and could well have more improvement in him.

Charlie Appleby, trainer: "We've seen the engine at home and I think we have seen glimpses of it on the racetrack mixed up with a bit of rawness with his mental immaturity. James [Doyle] knows this horse well enough having ridden him in his work during the spring and at Newbury so he knows the characteristics of the horse. He will know whether he needs to nurse him into it or be slightly more aggressive and from this draw that will help him make that decision."

16 Westover

Star rating: ***

Unraced since winning the Classic Trial at Sandown in April but had a sighter of Epsom at the recent gallops morning and would be a fourth Derby winner for Juddmonte after Quest For Fame, Commander In Chief and Workforce.

Rob Hornby, rider: "The Sandown race was one of the earliest trials and he's been slightly forgotten about. His price reflects that. I'm very confident he'll stay a mile and a half well. He's got a lot in his favour. He's pretty straightforward and lightly raced, so you'd like to think we haven't seen the best of him yet. We've got a lot of faith in the horse and believe he has a lot of ability."

17 West Wind Blows

Star rating: *

He may be unbeaten, but this Newcastle and Nottingham novice winner has not faced anything like the challenge in front of him here.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer: "He's unbeaten. Ideally we would have liked to have got another run into him, but he's really come to himself and I hope he runs a big race."


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Derby day previews:

2.00 Epsom: Can Newbury eyecatcher overcome poor draw to land tough handicap?

2.35 Epsom: 'She's really good' - Mrs Fitzherbert out to confirm class in Group 3 company

3.10 Epsom: Does Modern News deserve his short price? Robbie Wilders doesn't think so

3.45 Epsom: The Dash: how the draw could be all important in the world's fastest race

4.30 Epsom: 'He's done nothing wrong' - is Desert Crown destined for Derby greatness?


Don't miss the Racing Post Royal Ascot Guide 2022. Only £14.99, the 192-page guide is packed with tips and information for the five-day festival of top-class Flat racing, including profiles of the leading horses and the lowdown on the top trainers and jockeys. Order your copy here or call 01933 304858. Use the code ASCOTJUBILEE to get £2 off for a limited period only.


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