Charlie Appleby believes the horse most likely to give Godolphin their third Cazoo Derby (G1) winner in five years may not even be in the Epsom Classic — although he could be given the chance later on May 23.
Appleby, who provided the activity of Sheikh Mohammed with the ace Epsom Masar in 2018 and Adayar last year, was at the Surrey track on Monday to see the contenders of the big race Walk of Stars and Nahanni join the morning gallop Derby and confirm the plan is complementary National pride who got the Best Odds Listed on Betfair Exchange Newmarket Stakes when last seen and a 10-1 chance for Coral to win on June 4th.
Nations Pride also has the option of Club Qatar Prix du Jockey (French Derby, G1), although Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) Modern game was penned for that Chantilly Prize.
“Nations Pride is impressive at Newmarket and he’s in the French Derby where we also have the Modern game,” said Appleby, whose Cazoo Cup crowning contender Manobo was also in Epsom.
“He’s going to work on Wednesday, then we’ll make a decision whether we add him on Monday. We’re hoping there will be — there’s only one Derby and you just want to come in. That’s if you think you can win. He’s got a great record and ticked most of the boxes of our three possible runners.”
Appleby’s stable of riders, William Buick, is due to go in his second race at Leicester, so he’s not at Epsom. He missed out on last year’s Derby glory when he teamed up Storm lane behind the Adayar, which was ridden by Adam Kirby and also crashed in the recent QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1), finishing second in the world. Indigenous trails when James Doyle attacked on the field of Coroebus .
“If I said which car I was going to ride and we passed Wednesday’s gallop and saw the peace of Nations Pride, then — as we stand at this minute — he’ll be the horse,” Appleby said. speak. “William is lucky he rides on them anyway. Guide wise, I like to allow the chariot riders to choose and if it’s a bit off the field I can say something, but I like them riding. what they are satisfied with.
“If he’s on the horse that he feels has the best chance of winning, he’s going out there thinking that. Wednesday’s work will be the deciding point, but Nations Pride is hit. highest prices and very few mistakes.”
