Despite the ground quickening up throughout yesterday under beautiful sunshine, the possibility of heavy showers today means likely ground conditions remain up in the air, with Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor hoping that the rain holds off.
Saeed bin Suroor, whose True Story is mounted by Kieren Fallon and third in the Dante behind subsequent French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby, said: “The Dante form is good. Since York he has worked twice with Kieren and worked really well.
“I’m really happy with him, but the key is we don’t want it too soft. The horse is well, physically we are happy now, he’s improved a lot and I think a mile and a half will be really good for him. Good ground or good to soft will be perfect.
Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien sends a four-strong team into battle for the Investec Derby at Epsom today with some even tipping him to saddle the first three home in the premier Classic.
Red-hot favourite Australia, Ryan Moore’s mount Geoffrey Chaucer and Chester Vase winner Orchestra all hold solid claims and it would not be a complete surprise were those three to dominate.
O’Brien has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds Australia, hailing him as his best ever Flat horse.
“Australia is uncomplicated, relaxed and has speed – exactly what you want in a racehorse,” he said. “He’s very natural and takes no training. He has a great mind and settles very well.”
Of his other runners O’Brien said: “I was very happy with the way Orchestra won at Chester. If anyone had seen him there, they’d have seen that he had a bit of a tummy on him, and he’ll come on for that. Kingfisher won well at Chester and is very straightforward horse.
“Nothing went right for Geoffrey Chaucer in the Derrinstown at Leopardstown as it was a very messy race with a slow pace.”
