'He's a huge talent - it's frustrating' - Rob Hornby on the luckless Westover

Juddmonte suffered another agonising Derby hard-luck story with third-placed Westover, who left jockey Rob Hornby wondering what might have been after his first ride in the race.

Carrying the colours in which Dancing Brave finished a luckless second in 1986, Westover was hampered over two furlongs out, then repeatedly denied a clear run.

Hornby switched his mount right to get a clear passage over a furlong out and the pair ran on well to be beaten just over two and a half lengths behind the winner Desert Crown.

Desert Crown dominates to provide Sir Michael Stoute with super sixth Derby win

"It set up beautifully for me and I was quite happy," he said. "I had tabs on Desert Crown. At the top of the hill the horse on my inside was coming off the bridle and I had the gap really coming across the road.

"The gap closed faster than I could get into it, which is tough because he really rattled home well and showed he's a high-class horse and stays very well.

"This is only his fifth run, second this year, so he's a huge talent to look forward to for the whole team and it's frustrating."

Rob Hornby: 'The gap closed faster than I could get into it'Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Westover, whose owner-breeders have won the Derby with Quest For Fame, Commander In Chief and Workforce since Dancing Brave's defeat, had won the Classic Trial at Sandown on April.

Reflecting on his luckless run, trainer Ralph Beckett said: "I don't think he did anything wrong and realistically the gap was going a little better than him at the crucial stage of the race.

Watch the replay of Westover's luckless run to finish third in the Derby

"Looking at that run today, you would have to say the next race for him should be the Irish Derby; he would look just the right type for that. It means a lot to everyone to get this result, I never expected when I started to be here having horses like this."

Beckett did not grudge Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Kingscote their victory and said: "All of us would say that if we didn't win the race ourselves we wanted Sir Michael to win. And Richard's ridden over 100 winners for me, so it was good to see them win."

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Did we see a superstar in the Derby? Racing Post experts' view

2022 Cazoo Derby at Epsom: where your horse finished

High drama in Epsom opener as William Buick struck in head by rival horse

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